LYDIA GERRATT

I’ve wanted to make this beautiful fresh pea risotto forever, but buying fresh peas in their pods at the supermarket is expensive. But then a few weeks ago we took the little boys to a ‘pick your own’ farm and plucked 2kgs of pea pods for £2.90 – bargain. Risi e bisi was on. This recipe is famous in the Veneto region of Italy. The risottos in Venice are made with the Vialone Nano risotto rice as it gives the final risotto a lovely soupy consistency. Vialone Nano is the sa

A family friend taught me how to make a middle eastern pilaf rice (they were originally from Bagdad) while I was a student. Over the years I’ve slightly adapted the ingredients and added turmeric to the mix (for colour and it’s amazing health properties) to give you the best tasting rice you’ll ever eat. Green cardamom pods, a sprinkling of cinnamon and bright yellow turmeric add fragrance and colour. The chicken stock creates the right amount of savouriness and the fried o