RECIPE SOURCE RECIPES

Steps:

• 1. Heat the stock. Peel and finely chop the onion and garlic, trim and finely chop the celery. Finely grate the Parmesan.
  2. In a separate pan, heat the oil and 1 small knob of butter over a low heat, add the onions, garlic and celery, and fry gently for about 15 minutes, or until softened but not coloured.
  3. Add the rice and turn up the heat – the rice will now begin to lightly fry, so keep stirring it. After 1 minute it will look slightly translucent. Add the vermouth or wine and keep stirring — it will smell fantastic. Any harsh alcohol flavours will evaporate and leave the rice with a tasty essence.
  4. Once the vermouth or wine has cooked into the rice, add your first ladle of hot stock and a good pinch of sea salt. Turn the heat down to a simmer so the rice doesn’t cook too quickly on the outside.
  5. Keep adding ladlefuls of stock, stirring and almost massaging the creamy starch out of the rice, allowing each ladleful to be absorbed before adding the next. This will take around 15 minutes. Taste the rice — is it cooked? Carry on adding stock until the rice is soft but with a slight bite. Don’t forget to check the seasoning carefully. If you run out of stock before the rice is cooked, add some boiling water.
  6. Remove the pan from the heat, add 1 knob of butter and the Parmesan, then stir well.
  7. Place a lid on the pan and allow to sit for 2 minutes – this is the most important part of making the perfect risotto, as this is when it becomes outrageously creamy and oozy like it should be. Eat it as soon as possible, while the risotto retains its beautiful texture.

Steps:

• 1. In a small bowl, cover the saffron with 2 tablespoons of boiling water and leave to steep. Destone the prunes, place in a separate bowl and just cover with boiling water so the plump up.
  2. Peel and finely chop the onions and garlic, then season with the ground ginger and a pinch of sea salt and black pepper.
  3. Place a tagine or large casserole pan on a medium heat with 2 tablespoons of oil, then add the cinnamon for 1 minute to flavour the oil. Add the lamb, season with salt and pepper, then cook for 5 minutes, or until browned all over, stirring regularly.
  4. Push the meat to one side of the pan, placing the cinnamon stick on top, then add the seasoned onion and garlic alongside. Cook for 5 minutes, or until softened and caramelized, stirring occasionally.
  5. Gently scrub the courgettes and carrots, keeping them whole, peel and deseed the squash, then chop into 3cm chunks, and add it all to the pan. Pour in the prunes, saffron and all the soaking water, then top up with 200ml of water, and stir well.
  6. Bring to the boil, then cover and cook on a low heat for 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours, or until the lamb is tender and the veg are cooked through, stirring occasionally and adding splashes of water to loosen, if needed. Taste and season to perfection.
  7. Meanwhile, place the couscous in a bowl, season with salt and add the cloves, then just cover with boiling water and a drizzle of oil. Pop a plate on top and leave for 5 to 10 minutes to fluff up, then use a fork to fluff up again.
  8. Fold the harissa through the yoghurt. Serve the tagine, couscous and flatbreads with the harissa yoghurt, finishing with a scattering of mint leaves.