Pulses

This dish allows the leeks and peas to cook and soften together slowly, lending their flavours to each other. Cooking the peas slowly helps release their starch, giving the dish an overall creamier consistency. The salsa verde adds a great savoury tang. Author Eden Owen-Jones is an avid listener of the Home Cooking podcast with Samin Nosrat and Hrishikesh Hirway and there is only so many times she could hear Samin talk about this salsa without trying to make a version for herself – we think it works really nicely here. 

This vibrant salad from India Matthews is a beautiful balance of flavours and textures. Sweet, tender beetroot meets creamy white coco beans, all brought together with a silky, tangy tahini yoghurt dressing. Fresh dill and bright lemon keep it lively, while cumin and za’atar add warm, aromatic notes.

A fragrant and comforting Mejadra-style dish featuring earthy lentils and basmati rice, topped with crispy fried onions and served with a zesty garlic yoghurt.

Middle Eastern ijeh - or eggah - is a herby, vegetable-packed fritter, similar to an omelette or frittata. Soft, fragrant and deeply nourishing, it’s a recipe that celebrates simple ingredients elevated with plenty of fresh herbs and warming spices. Cooked slowly until golden on both sides, it’s perfect served warm with a squeeze of lemon and a spoonful of tangy yoghurt.

This dish from Bold Bean Co's brilliant second book Full of Beans could be the dictionary definition of heart-warming. The bean stock helps create a glossy sauce that’s packed full of umami flavour from the mushrooms.

As the nights cool and the leaves turn, so wild mushrooms emerge from the mossy forest floor. Leanne Townsend found a beautiful patch of winter chanterelles and cooked them up with some British-grown carlin peas.

Piyaz is a traditional Turkish bean salad, but in Antalya it takes on a unique and beloved twist. More than just a simple side, it becomes a hearty, flavourful dish in its own right, rich with tahini, olive oil and cumin, layered with herbs, eggs and tomatoes. Creamy flageolet beans form the base, while the tang of lemon and vinegar keeps it bright and refreshing. Finished with fragrant dill, parsley, and a sprinkle of sumac, this is a salad that’s as satisfying as it is vibrant, perfect served alongside grilled dishes or enjoyed simply with good bread.

Caponata is a much-loved Sicilian dish of bold Mediterranean flavours, traditionally a rich, sweet-sour stew of aubergines, onions, tomatoes, capers and herbs. In this version, tender borlotti beans join the mix, adding extra substance, creamy texture and a satisfying protein boost, making it as perfect for a light main as it is for a side dish.

Taktouka is a savoury Moroccan side dish of chargrilled peppers, tomatoes, paprika and coriander. Here we break with the traditional recipe by adding borlotti beans for a more substantial dish.

Crisp at the edges, tender in the middle, and full of nutty depth, fava bean farinata makes a beautiful centrepiece for a light meal. Paired with smoky, charred spring onions and a refreshing herb and cucumber salad, it's both fresh and comforting.