Journalist, chef and restaurateur Ravinder Bhogal has written three cookbooks. Her latest, Comfort and Joy: Irresistible Pleasures from a Vegetarian Kitchen (£26, Bloomsbury) champions indulgent plant-based menus. She is chef/owner of Jikoni restaurant in Marylebone, London. @cookinboots
Menu
Confit salmon with tahini, pistachio & herb crust (below)
Slow-braised lamb shanks with dried limes & barberries, p126
Jewelled rice, p127
Rose & pomegranate jellies with cardamom panna cotta, p129
New Year’s Eve is a buoyant occasion. Some like to go to parties or watch the fireworks among the crowds, while others, like me, welcome in a new year by inviting good friends to join them for a special feast. Over the years, I have taken inspiration from many cultures, from China to Italy. A whole roasted Peking duck is a wonderful idea, as is handmade pasta or boozy tiramisu. But every other year, I return to the flavours and scents of the Middle East, because they always feel opulent and celebratory. Rather than plated individual courses, I’m mostly in favour of
