Cardamom

Creamy veggie korma

Heat the oil in a large pan. Cook onion with the dry spices over a low heat for 5-6 mins until the onion is light golden. Add the chilli, garlic and ginger and cook for 1 min, then throw in the mixed vegetables and cook for a further 5 mins. Divide the mixture appropriately between two pans if serving vegetarians and meat eaters. Chop the chicken into small chunks and stir into one pan. Add the stock, dividing between the pans appropriately, and simmer for 10 mins (if only cooking the veggie version in one pan, use 300ml stock; if dividing between two pans, add 250ml to each). Divide the peas, if necessary, and add, cooking for 3 mins more until the veg are tender and the chicken is cooked through. Remove from the heat and stir through the yogurt and ground almonds, if using. Serve sprinkled with the toasted almonds and coriander, with basmati rice or naan bread on the side.

Fragrant spiced chicken with banana sambal

Put the onions in a food processor with the garlic and ginger. Blitz until it is as smooth as possible, then pour in half the stock and blitz again. Heat a large non-stick pan, sprinkle in the spices and toast for 1 min. Pour in the onion mixture, the remaining stock and all but ½ tsp of the chopped chilli. Add the almonds and tomato purée, and stir well. Simmer for 35 mins until completely soft, stirring every now and then and adding a little water if the mixture starts to catch on the bottom of the pan. Add the chicken and half the fresh coriander. Heat very gently for 10 mins to cook the chicken through. Mix all the sambal ingredients with the remaining coriander and chilli, and heat the rice following pack instructions. Serve the chicken and sambal with the brown rice.

Roasted stone fruits with vanilla

Heat oven to 220C/fan 200C/gas 8. Tip the sugar, vanilla pod, cardamom, lime zest and juice into a food processor, then blitz until blended, or mash together using a pestle and mortar. Tip the fruit into a shallow baking dish, then toss in the sludgy sugar. Roast for 20 mins until the fruits have softened, but not collapsed and the sugar and fruit juices have made a sticky sauce. Any leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Chai tea

Heat the milk in a saucepan over a very low heat. Empty the contents of the tea bags into the pan, then add the cracked cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, nutmeg and cloves. Sweeten with light brown soft sugar to taste (chai tea should be sweet, but use less if you like), then leave to infuse, but not boil, for 10 mins. Strain into mugs and enjoy.

Porridge with beetroot, apple & cranberry compote & toasted hazelnuts

Put all the compote ingredients in a saucepan over a medium heat and bring to the boil, then lower to a simmer for 30 mins, adding a little water, 1 tbsp at a time, if needed.

Once the compote is cooked, put the soaked oats, milk, vanilla and a good pinch of flaked sea salt in a saucepan, and warm over a medium heat for 3-4 mins.

Divide the porridge between two bowls, add a heaped tbsp of compote, the yogurt and a scattering of crushed hazelnuts, to serve.

Cardamom & peach quinoa porridge

Put the quinoa, oats and cardamom pods in a small saucepan with 250ml water and 100ml of the almond milk. Bring to the boil, then simmer gently for 15 mins, stirring occasionally.

Pour in the remaining almond milk and cook for 5 mins more until creamy.

Remove the cardamom pods, spoon into bowls or jars, and top with the peaches and maple syrup.

Mango lassi

Put all the ingredients apart from the lime juice in a food processor and blitz. Add the lime juice along with a pinch of salt, to taste, then pour into glasses with some ice cubes and serve.

Chai latte

Toast the spices in a dry frying pan until they are fragrant then put them, the ginger and tea bags into a teapot or cafetière with 500ml freshly boiled water and leave to infuse for 10 mins.

Heat the milk with the brown sugar, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. Once lightly steaming froth the top with a milk frother or whisk to create some foam.

Strain the tea between 4 mugs, or heatproof glasses, then pour in the milk, keeping the froth back. Stir to combine. Top each latte with a bit of the milk foam then dust with a pinch of cinnamon.

Banana, coconut & cardamom bread

Heat the oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Butter a 900g loaf tin and line with a long strip of baking parchment. Melt the coconut oil or butter in a pan or the microwave. Mash the bananas and add the oil or butter, eggs, sugar and yogurt. Combine the flour, baking powder, crushed cardamom and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Add the wet ingredients and whisk to a smooth batter. Pour into the tin and bake for 1 hr 10 mins until golden and risen. Insert a skewer into the centre of the cake to make sure it’s cooked – it should come out with a few crumbs but no wet cake mixture. If needed, return the cake to the oven for another 5-10 mins, then check again, and keep going until it’s cooked. Serve slightly warm. Once cool, keep in a tin for up to five days.

Slow-cooked beetroot & beef curry (Chukandar Gosht)

Using a large, non-stick lidded wok or saucepan, heat the oil over a medium flame, add the cardamom, cinnamon, cumin and coriander seeds. Once the spices start to sizzle, add the onions and stir-fry until light golden brown. Add the garlic and ginger, and cook for 1 min until it no longer smells raw. Add a splash of water if the garlic and ginger start to stick to the pan, then add the tomatoes and cook until soft. Add 1 tsp salt, red chilli powder and the beef, turn up the heat and stir-fry until the meat is sealed on all sides. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover loosely and cook for about 10 mins. Turn up the heat and add the grated beetroots. Stir-fry for a few mins, then cover the pan, reduce the heat and cook for 1 hr 15 mins or until the meat is tender. Stir from time to time and add a little water if the curry becomes dry. The finished dish should be a thick mushy curry with chunky, tender beef pieces and softened beetroots. Sprinkle with the coriander leaves and green chilli; add a squeeze of lime, and serve with naan or basmati rice.

Beef dripping keema naan

Put the cardamom pods, cinnamon and bay in a pan over a medium heat, add the oil and lightly fry until fragrant, about 1 min. Add the onions, ginger & garlic paste and chillies, and cook for 5 mins. Add the mince and the remaining spices, and cook for 10-15 mins more until browned. Take off the heat and add the lime juice, then season. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 4. Brush the naans with the butter, then wrap in foil and warm in the oven. Top with the mince followed by the yogurt, tomatoes, chilli and coriander. Serve with green chutney.

Slow cooker beef curry

Heat your slow cooker if you need to. Fry the beef in batches in 2 tbsp oil until it is browned all over and tip into the slow cooker. Put the remaining oil in the frying pan and fry the onion over a low heat until it starts to soften. Add the garlic and ginger and fry for 1 minute.

Add all the spices and fry for 1 minute or until the spices start to smell fragrant. Add the coconut milk and bring to a simmer, then tip everything into the slow cooker.

Cook for 4 hours on high or 8 hours on low. Stir in the coriander and serve.

Pressure cooker beef curry

Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a pressure cooker. Season the beef and fry in batches for 5-8 mins, turning occasionally until evenly browned. Set aside on a plate.

Heat the remaining oil and butter in the pan and fry the onion gently for 10 mins or until golden brown and caramelised. Add the garlic, ginger, chilli, turmeric, coriander and cardamom and fry for 2 mins. Stir in the beef and cook for 1 min to coat the beef in the spices.

Tip in the tomatoes, stock and sugar and bring to a simmer. Lock the lid onto the cooker and bring up to high pressure. Cook for 15 mins, then turn off the heat and let the pressure drop naturally. Give everything a good stir and add more water if the sauce is already thick.

Lock the lid back in place and give it another 10 mins, then let the pressure drop naturally. Check the meat is tender – depending on the cut it might need 5 mins more.

Take it off the heat, stir through the garam masala and cream, if you like. Season to taste. Scatter over the coriander and serve with naan bread or rice.

Beef curry

Heat one tbsp of the oil in a casserole pot over a medium-high heat. Season the beef and fry in the pot for 5-8 mins, turning with a pair of tongs half way until evenly browned. Set aside on a plate. Heat the remaining oil and butter in the pan and add the onions. Fry gently for 15 mins or until golden brown and caramelised. Add the garlic, ginger, chilli, turmeric, ground coriander and cardamom and fry for two mins. Tip in the tomatoes, stock and sugar and bring to the simmer. Add the beef, put a lid on top of the curry and cook over a low heat for 1 ½ – 2 hrs or until the meat is tender and falling apart. Remove the lid for the last 20 minutes of cooking. Stir through the garam masala and cream (if using) and season to taste. Scatter over the coriander and serve with naan breads or rice.

Beef bhuna

Gently heat the oil in a saucepan. Add the cardamom, bay, cinnamon sticks and fenugreek, and fry for a few minutes until the aromas are released. Add the onions and brown over a high heat for 10-15 mins, stirring occasionally.

Add the beef, along with the ginger and garlic. Fry until the meat is browned on all sides, about 10 mins. Stir in 1½ tsp salt, followed by the rest of the spices. Mix well and add the tomatoes. Cover and cook over a low-medium heat for about 5 mins, or until the tomatoes are soft.

Mix the bhuna, cover again and simmer over a low heat for a further 1-1½ hrs, until the beef is tender. (The timing depends on the size of the beef pieces.) If the curry begins to look a little dry while cooking, top up with water.

Pour in a little water to loosen the curry – how much is up to you, the more you add, the thinner the sauce will be. Boil for 7-10 mins, then scatter over the coriander and sliced ginger, and serve immediately.

White choc & cardamom mousses

Bring the cream just to the boil with the cardamom pods, then set aside to infuse for 15 mins. Keep one square of chocolate aside and melt the rest gently in a large bowl over a pan of barely simmering water. Strain in the cream, then beat with an electric whisk for a couple of mins to thicken slightly. Pour into pots, cover and chill for 4 hrs, or up to 2 days, until cold and set. Very finely grate over the reserved square of white chocolate to serve.

Malai kofta with spicy gravy

Boil the potatoes until tender, then drain, return to the pan and put over a low heat to steam dry for a few mins. Mash with some seasoning and cool. Mix all the filling ingredients together. Make 12 balls of potato. Take one, press your finger into it to make a little hole, then place a little of the filling mixture into the centre. Pinch the potato back over to seal and shape into a round. Repeat with remaining potato balls and filling. Roll each kofta in flour, dip in the beaten egg, then roll in the breadcrumbs. Fill a deep saucepan halfway with oil, and heat until a small piece of bread browns in 20 secs. Fry the koftas in batches for a few mins until golden, then set aside on kitchen paper. For the gravy, blend together the onions, garlic, ginger, poppy seeds and nuts in a food processor to a purée. Heat the oil, then fry the onion purée until just turning brown. Add the puréed tomatoes, spices and sugar. The gravy should be quite thick, but if you want to thin it down a bit, add a little water. When the gravy comes to a boil, add the koftas. Heat through and serve with a drizzle of single cream and some flaked almonds scattered on top.

Clementine & Port spiced cranberry sauce

Put all the ingredients in a saucepan and stir over a gentle heat until the sugar has dissolved. Increase the heat, cover and simmer for 5 mins until the cranberries have burst and the sauce has thickened. Transfer to a bowl and leave to cool, then remove the cinnamon and cardamom.

Beetroot & butternut stew

Peel the beetroot and chop into small pieces. Chop the butternut squash into small pieces. Put them in separate bowls until you need them. In a large wide-topped saucepan, fry the garlic, onion, cumin seeds, coriander and cardamom pods in the oil for 2 mins on a medium heat. Add 125ml water along with the beetroot and leave for a further 5 mins until the water has simmered away. Add 250ml water, the butternut squash and cinnamon, and leave to simmer on a medium heat for 10 mins. Add 250ml water and leave to simmer for another 10 mins. Add 125ml water, the green beans and simmer for another 5 mins until the water has simmered away. Take off the heat and stir in the chard and parsley. Serve by itself or with brown rice for a fuller meal.

Dark & white chocolate cardamom swirl tart

Crush the cardamom pods with a pestle and mortar, then put the seeds and the husks in a medium pan. Pour in the cream and sugar, stir, then heat gently until the cream begins to simmer. Remove the pan from the heat and leave to infuse for 30 mins. Meanwhile, finely chop the white chocolate in a food processor, then tip into a medium bowl. Repeat with the cacao, tip this into another bowl and add the butter. Season each chocolate with a pinch of salt. Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and lightly grease a 23cm fluted tart tin or springform tin. Without cleaning the processor, tip in the digestives and pulse to fine crumbs. Pulse in the melted butter and sugar until the mixture looks like wet sand, then press firmly into the base of the tin. Slide it onto a baking sheet, bake for 10 mins, then cool completely. When the base is cold, reheat the infused cream to a simmer. Strain half the cream on top of the white chocolate and stir. Add the milk to what is left in the pan, reheat, then strain this over the chopped cacao and butter, and stir. It will take a few mins before each chocolate melts completely. Pour all but about 3 tbsp of the cacao ganache on top of the biscuit base and chill for 15 mins or until just set. Now flood the top with the white chocolate ganache. Finish with the reserved cacao mix, dropping 6 dollops on top like a clock face, and one in the middle. Use a skewer to swirl the colours together. Chill for at least 4 hrs or ideally overnight to let the ganache set firm, then bring it out of the fridge for 30 mins before serving.

Apricot, cardamom & pistachio ice lollies

Put the apricots in a blender and process until smooth. Pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer, measuring out 500ml of purée. Add the honey, sugar, 100ml water and the cardamom, and mix together until smooth and evenly combined. Divide the mixture between the 10 cavities of your ice lolly mould (see below for where to buy). Put the mould in the freezer and chill for 30-45 mins or until just starting to freeze. Insert the lolly sticks and leave to freeze for at least 4 hrs or until frozen solid. To remove the lollies, dip the mould in hot water for a few seconds, then carefully remove the lollies, dipping each into the chopped pistachios to serve.

Fig, raspberry & cardamom pie

First make the pastry. Put the butter and flour in a food processor with 1/4 tsp salt and blend until the mixture resembles damp breadcrumbs. Or do this by rubbing the butter and flour together in a big bowl with your fingertips. Add the sugar and briefly whizz again or stir to combine. Whisk the egg yolk with 2 tbsp cold water, and drizzle over the flour mixture. Use the pulse button to blend the mixture once more, keep going until it starts to form larger clumps. If the mixture seems too dry, add a little more water a tsp or 2 at a time, but no more than 3 tsp in total. Tip out onto a work surface and briefly knead the dough to bring it together into a smooth ball. Avoid overworking or it will become tough. Flatten the dough into a puck shape and wrap well in cling film. Chill for at least 30 mins, or for up to 2 days, or freeze for 2 months. Next, make the filling. Put the figs, raspberries, sugar and cornflour in a large bowl and gently toss together, being careful not to break up the raspberries, until the fruit is well coated. Put the cardamom in a mortar and crack the pods with a pestle. Remove the seeds from their pods and place them back in the mortar, discarding the pods. Crush the seeds then add to the fruit, along with the rosewater. Set aside for 15 mins. Remove the dough from the fridge and divide into 2 pieces, one slightly larger than the other. Re-wrap the smaller piece and set aside. Divide the larger piece of dough into the number of pies you’d like to make, or leave whole for a large one. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to the thickness of a 50p piece, or until large enough to line the base of your pie plate or tin, with a little pastry overhanging. Roll the dough over your rolling pin, lift into your plate or tins, and press it well into the corners. Scatter the polenta or almonds over and spoon in the filling. Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5 and place a baking sheet on the middle shelf. To create a stamped design for the top of the pie, roll out the pastry on a well-floured sheet of baking parchment . Use a small biscuit cutter to stamp out shapes (we’ve used a heart cutter, but circles, diamonds or flower shapes look pretty too). Brush the pie edge with egg, then slide the pastry lid on top. Trim the edge with scissors and squeeze the pastry edge around the top of your index finger, using your thumb and the other index finger. Work your way along the pastry edge to give a professionally fluted finish. Once covered, whisk the reserved egg white and brush over the pastry. Scatter with a little extra sugar, then place the pie on the baking sheet and bake for 45 mins for a large pie, 35-40 mins for medium pies or 25-30 mins for mini pies, until the pastry is golden and crisp and the juices are bubbling. Cool for 10 mins before serving with cream, crème fraîche, natural yogurt or soured cream.

Chai coconut & mango creams

Put the allspice berries and cardamom pods in a large saucepan. Use the end of a rolling pin to gently split open the cardamom pods and crack the allspice into a few pieces. Add the remaining spices, coconut milk and 140g of the caster sugar to the pan. Set over a gentle heat and simmer for 5 mins. Cool, then chill overnight. Grease 4 x 200ml pudding moulds, ramekins or pretty glasses with a little oil (you can skip this if you don’t want to turn the creams out once set). Put the remaining sugar, mango, and lime juice in a food processor and blend to a purée. Sieve the purée into a saucepan, sprinkle 1 tbsp agar agar flakes over the surface and leave to stand for 5 mins or until the agar agar has dissolved. Stir the agar agar into the purée and bring to a gentle heat, then simmer for 3-5 mins, stirring now and then, until the purée has thickened slightly. Divide between the moulds and chill for at least 2 hrs or until set. Sieve the infused coconut milk into a clean pan and discard the spices. Sprinkle over the remaining agar agar flakes and leave for 5 mins until the agar agar has dissolved. Heat gently for 3-5 mins, stirring now and then. Divide the mixture between the moulds and chill for at least 4 hrs, or overnight. To serve, dip the base of each mould into hot water for 10 secs or so, then turn out onto a plate. Top each dessert with a little chopped mango, some passion fruit seeds and a small sprig of mint, then sprinkle the coconut flakes around the plate.

Caramel chocolate log

Lightly grease a 26 x 36cm baking tray with a substantial rim and line with baking parchment. Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4.

To make the filling, put all the ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to the boil over a medium heat, whisking to dissolve the sugar and prevent lumps. Pour into a small container, cover with cling film and place in the fridge for a few hrs or until fully chilled.

Put the eggs and caster sugar in a large bowl and use an electric whisk to whisk for 5-8 mins or until the mixture has tripled in volume and holds a ribbon on the surface when the beaters are lifted from the bowl. In a separate bowl, mix together the cocoa powder, oat flour and a pinch of salt. Working in three additions, carefully sieve the dry ingredients over the egg mixture and carefully fold in, keeping the mixture light and airy. Carefully pour the batter onto the prepared tray and gently level out to an even layer.

Bake for 12-14 mins or until the cake springs back when lightly pressed. Remove from the oven and carefully slip the cake and parchment onto a wire rack to cool (unlike other roll cakes, this one isn’t pre-rolled as it is more likely to crack).

Once the cake is at room temperature, confidently turn over in one motion onto a piece of parchment sprinkled lightly with caster sugar, then peel off the lining parchment.

Whisk the spiced cream filling until it holds soft peaks, then spread to an even layer, leaving 2cm along the short edge clear. Spoon the dulce de leche randomly all over the filling and use a knife or a spoon to swirl together.

Carefully roll the cake, using the parchment underneath to help, making sure the uncovered sponge edge is at the end of the roll. Don’t worry if the cake splits a little, this is to be expected. Dust the cake with a thin layer of icing sugar and carefully lift onto a serving plate. To finish, drizzle the cake with the white chocolate. As this cake is made with very little fat, it is best served on the day it is made, as it will dry out more quickly.

Chocolate, cardamom & hazelnut torte

Toast the hazelnuts in a dry pan until golden, then leave to cool slightly and blitz to a fine consistency in a food processor. Remove the cardamom seeds from their pods and grind using a pestle and mortar.

Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Grease and line the base of a 23cm spring-form cake tin. Use a microwave to melt the chocolate with the butter in 30-sec bursts until glossy and smooth. Leave to cool slightly.

Using an electric whisk, in a very clean bowl whisk the egg whites until they reach stiff peaks. Then, without cleaning the beaters, whisk the yolks with the sugar in a separate bowl until pale and voluminous.

Combine the chocolate with the egg yolk mixture, then incorporate the cocoa powder, a pinch of salt, the cardamom seeds and hazelnuts. Add a spoonful of egg white to the batter, stirring it through to loosen the mix, then fold in the rest, taking care to keep in as much air as possible. Gently pour into the tin and bake for 35 mins. Leave to cool in the tin, then dust with cocoa powder and serve with crème fraîche.

Pear & berry pie

To make the poached pears, put the sugar in a big saucepan with the lemon peel, cardamom pods, nutmeg, cinnamon and 1 litre water. Bring to a gentle simmer. Lower the pear halves into the liquid and place a circle of baking parchment on top, so they cook through properly. Leave over a medium heat, so that a few bubbles break the surface every now and then, and cook for 15 mins. Allow to cool in the liquid. Can be chilled overnight if making ahead.

Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Dust the work surface with a little plain flour. Roll out the pastry so it’s big enough to line a 20-23cm frying pan, pie dish or shallow baking tin. Grate a little nutmeg over the surface, then gently roll again to help it stick. Lift over your dish, press into the corners, then trim the edges. You can give it a pretty crimped edge, if you like, then wrap the off-cuts in cling film and keep in the fridge until needed. Scrunch up a sheet of baking parchment, unfold, and lay it over the pastry. Fill with baking beans and bake for 15 mins. Remove the beans and parchment, brush with some of the beaten egg and return to the oven for another 5 mins.

Meanwhile, make the filling. Cook the remaining pears and sugar in a small pan until the pears are soft enough to squash with the back of a spoon. Drain off 3 tbsp of the poaching liquid and mix this with the cornflour, then pour back into the pears and continue cooking and squashing for another minute or so, until the filling has thickened.

Sprinkle the ground almonds over the pastry case, then add the squashed pear mixture and scatter over the berries. Remove the poached pears from their liquid and blot them on some kitchen paper. Arrange them face-up among the pear mixture and berries. Using a mini pastry cutter, cut little shapes from the leftover pastry, then arrange them on top. Brush the pastry pieces with beaten egg and sprinkle with the demerara sugar. Bake for 45-50 mins until the pastry is golden and berry juice is bubbling. Cool for 10-15 mins before serving with custard, cream or ice cream, if you like.

Apple, cream & spiced rye crumble pots

Peel and core the apples and cut the flesh into chunks. Put these in a large saucepan with the caster sugar and 3 tbsp water and cook over a gentle heat until the apples are completely tender. Stir every so often and mash the fruit down roughly with the back of a wooden spoon. The finished purée shouldn’t be too wet – if it is, simmer it over a low heat until it reduces and loses some of its moisture.

Check the apples for sweetness – they shouldn’t be too sweet as it’s being mixed with sweet cream and breadcrumbs – and tip into a bowl to cool. In Scandinavia, the stewed apples are usually puréed until smooth, but you can also keep them chunky.

Melt half the butter in a frying pan and add the brown breadcrumbs and half the brown sugar. Sauté, stirring constantly, over a medium heat until the breadcrumbs are golden. Add half the cinnamon and half the cardamom and continue to cook for about 1 min. Spread out on a tray – it cools quicker this way – and leave until it’s room temperature. Do the same with the rye breadcrumbs, then mix the breadcrumbs together in a bowl.

Whip the cream, adding the icing sugar and the lemon (add the lemon before the cream is too thick as the acid in the lemon has a thickening effect). If you are going to add the aquavit, do it once the cream has been whipped.

Layer the apples, breadcrumbs and whipped cream in a glass bowl (so you can see the layers) starting with the stewed apples and ending with a layer of cream. Scatter over the hazelnuts just before serving.

Blood orange & yogurt bundts with Campari glaze

Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Sift the flours, 1 tsp of the baking powder, a pinch of salt and cardamom in a bowl and lightly whisk together. Spoon the yogurt into another bowl with the other tsp of baking powder and stir. In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk the eggs and sugar for about 3-4 mins, until pale and frothy.

Sift half the flour mixture into the egg and sugar mix, then use a large metal spoon or silicone spatula to gently fold it through, being careful not to knock out too much air. Once combined, scrape the yogurt into the mix and fold it in. Sift in the rest of the flour mix and fold it in again. Now pour the melted, cooled oil down the sides of the bowl and carefully but quickly fold that in. Pour in the citrus zest and juice and give it a few final folds to combine. You should have a creamy, airy batter.

Pour the mixture into silicone bundt moulds on a baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 mins, or until a skewer inserted comes out clean. Remove from the moulds and leave to cool on wire racks.

To make the glaze, heat the Campari in a pan until reduced to 1 tbsp, then pour into a bowl and allow to cool. Whisk in the orange zest and juice, a pinch of salt and the yogurt, then sieve in the icing sugar and whisk until you have a smooth glaze. Drizzle over the bundts and serve.

Squash, chickpea & coconut curry

For the curry powder, heat a small frying pan over a medium heat and toast the rice, stirring, until it starts to brown. Tip in the rest of the spices and toast for 3-5 mins until brown but not burned. Using a spice grinder or pestle and mortar, blitz or grind to a fine powder. Pass through a sieve. Will keep for up to three months in an airtight container.

Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Toss the squash with 1 tbsp of the oil, a pinch of salt, 3 tbsp of the tamarind sauce, the chilli flakes and coconut. Spread out on a baking sheet and bake for 35-40 mins, or until tender.

Heat the remaining 2 tbsp oil in a wok over a high heat. Fry the mustard seeds for a minute or so until they sizzle and pop, then add the curry leaves and cook for a few more seconds until they crackle. Add the onion, ginger, garlic, chilli, lemongrass and a pinch of salt and stir for a few minutes until the onion softens. Tip in the chickpeas, tomato, curry powder and turmeric and keep stirring for 5-8 mins, until the tomato breaks down.

Pour the coconut milk into the wok and stir, cooking for about 5 mins until slightly reduced. Add the remaining 2 tbsp tamarind, taste for seasoning, then add the kale, stirring for a couple of minutes until softened. Divide the squash between bowls, ladle in the curry sauce, then top with the coriander and coconut flakes, if using. Serve with warmed flatbreads.

Spinach kedgeree with spiced salmon

Heat the oil in a large frying pan and fry the onion and ginger for 5 mins or until soft. Add the cumin, cinnamon, crushed cardamom seeds, and 1 tsp each of the turmeric and coriander. Cook for 30 secs until fragrant. Add the chilli, garlic, pepper and rice, stir briefly, then pour in the stock. Cover and simmer for 35 mins or until the rice is tender and the stock has been absorbed. If the rice is cooked but some liquid remains, remove the lid and simmer uncovered to allow the liquid to evaporate. Add the spinach, cover and cook for 3 mins to wilt. Meanwhile, prepare the salmon. Heat the grill to medium and line a baking sheet with foil. Mix the yogurt with the mint or coriander and the remaining turmeric and ground coriander. Spread the yogurt mixture over the salmon, then transfer to the prepared baking sheet and grill for 8-10 mins until the fish can be flaked easily with a fork. Top the kedgeree with the salmon fillets or flake the fish into it, and scatter over the almonds to serve.

Biscuit place tags

Put the butter, sugar, flour and spices in a food processor and pulse until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Add the egg yolk and vanilla, and pulse again until it comes together into a dough. Will keep, well wrapped, in the fridge for up to three days, or the freezer for three months.

Roll the dough out on a dusted work surface to the thickness of £1 coin. Use biscuit cutters in the shapes of your choice to stamp out the tags, making sure they’re large enough to pipe names on, about 8-10cm wide (we used round- and star-shaped cutters). Transfer the biscuits, well spaced apart, to baking sheets lined with baking parchment, and chill for 15 mins.

Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Bake for 12-15 mins until golden at the edges. Leave to cool for 5 mins on the baking sheets, then transfer to a wire rack and leave to cool completely.

Mix the icing sugar with 2-3 tsp water to make a very thick, stiff paste. Colour the icing with food colouring, if you like. Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a very small round nozzle, and pipe borders around the biscuits, then the names in the centre. Leave to set for 2-3 hrs.

The ultimate makeover: Chicken korma

Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a deep sauté pan or wok. Tip in the onions, then fry over a medium-high heat for about 12-15 mins, stirring occasionally, until a rich golden colour and the pan is sticky on the bottom. While they cook, chop the garlic and ginger. Make a slit down the length of each cardamom pod just deep enough to reveal the tiny seeds. Remove the onions from the heat. Transfer a third of them to a small blender along with the garlic, ginger and 2 tbsp water. Whizz together to make a paste that is as smooth as you can get it. Set aside. Return the onions in the pan to the heat, add the remaining oil, cardamom pods and cinnamon stick, then stir-fry for a couple of mins. Stir in the chicken, ground coriander, 1¼ tsp of the garam masala, mace and black pepper, then stir-fry for another 2 mins. Reserve 3 tbsp of the yogurt, then slowly start to add the rest, 1 tbsp at a time, stirring between each spoonful. When all the yogurt has gone in, stir in the oniony paste and stir-fry for 2-3 mins. Stir in 150ml water, then the milk. Bring to a boil, then simmer, covered, for 20 mins, scattering in the chillies for the final 5 mins, by which time the chicken should be very tender. Remove the cardamom pods and cinnamon. The flavours mellow all the more if refrigerated overnight. When gently reheating, splash in a little water if needed to slacken the korma sauce. Finish by stirring in the chopped coriander. Taste and add a little salt if you wish. Swirl in the reserved yogurt. Spoon the korma into bowls, scatter a few almonds over each portion with a sprinkling of the remaining garam masala. Serve the saffron rice on the side.