Author’s Note

The recipes in this book should all be enough for six people or for more where specified. The quantities are also fairly generous as the family and friends I have cooked them for are nearly all big eaters who will want second helpings.

When I have put a spoonful as a measure I mean a rounded spoonful unless I have said level or heaped.

Although I feel it is infinitely better to use fresh herbs if possible I realise that with some herbs, and in winter, you may have to use dried. Some are much better than others. Oregano, which I use a lot, still has a good flavour when it is dried, but it is not worth using dried basil. When I have given spoonful measurements for herbs you will probably need a really heaped spoonful of fresh herbs but only a level spoonful, or even less, if you are using dried.