Delightful Tartlets and Toasts: Creative recipes to elevate your culinary game

Fig and Goat Cheese Toasts

• 8 slices sourdough bread

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 150g soft goat cheese

• 6 ripe figs, trimmed and sliced

• 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves

• 1 tbsp honey

• 2 tsp balsamic glaze

• Freshly ground black pepper

1. Heat the oven to 200°C, or 180°C fan. Arrange the bread on a baking tray and brush lightly with olive oil.

2. Bake for 5 minutes, until the edges begin to colour.

3. Spread the goat cheese over the bread, then arrange the fig slices on top. Scatter with thyme and season with black pepper.

4. Return to the oven for 5 minutes, until the cheese is warm and the bread is crisp.

5. Drizzle with the honey and balsamic glaze. Serve immediately.

Mango, Avocado and Black Bean Salad

• 2 × 400g tins black beans, drained and rinsed

• 1 large ripe mango, peeled and diced

• 2 ripe avocados, peeled and diced

• 200g cherry tomatoes, halved

• ½ small red onion, finely chopped

• 3 tbsp chopped fresh coriander

• 2 tbsp lime juice

• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

• ½ tsp ground cumin

• 1 small red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped

• ½ tsp salt

• Freshly ground black pepper

1. Whisk the dressing ingredients together in a small bowl.

2. Place the drained black beans, mango, tomatoes, onion and coriander in a large serving bowl.

3. Pour over the dressing and toss gently to combine.

4. Fold in the avocado, taking care to keep the pieces intact.

5. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Serve immediately.

Pear, Walnut and Blue Cheese Tartlets

• 320g ready-rolled puff pastry

• 2 firm, ripe pears

• 100g blue cheese, crumbled

• 40g walnuts, roughly chopped

• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves

• 1 egg, beaten

• 2 tsp honey

• Freshly ground black pepper

1. Heat the oven to 200°C, or 180°C fan. Line a large baking tray with baking paper.

2. Cut the pastry into eight rectangles and arrange on the tray. Lightly score a 1cm border around each piece without cutting through. Prick the centres with a fork.

3. Core the pears and cut into thin slices. Arrange inside the pastry borders, then scatter over the blue cheese, walnuts and thyme.

4. Brush the borders with beaten egg and season the filling with black pepper.

5. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until the pastry is puffed and golden underneath. Drizzle with honey and serve warm.

Aubergine with Tahini and Pomegranate

• 2 large aubergines

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp ground cumin

• ½ tsp salt

• Freshly ground black pepper

• 80g pomegranate seeds

• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

• 60g tahini

• 2 tbsp lemon juice

• 1 small garlic clove, finely grated

• 3–5 tbsp cold water

• Salt, to taste

1. Heat the oven to 220°C, or 200°C fan. Line a baking tray with baking paper.

2. Halve the aubergines lengthways. Score the flesh in a criss-cross pattern, taking care to leave the skins intact.

3. Mix the olive oil, cumin, salt and black pepper. Brush over the cut surfaces, working some oil into the scored flesh.

4. Arrange cut-side up on the tray and roast for 35–40 minutes, until the flesh is completely tender and browned.

5. Whisk the tahini, lemon juice and garlic together. Gradually whisk in the cold water until the dressing is smooth and pourable. Season with salt.

6. Let the aubergines cool for 5 minutes, then spoon over the dressing. Scatter with pomegranate seeds and parsley. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Orange and Fennel Salad

• 2 medium fennel bulbs

• 3 oranges

• ½ small red onion, very thinly sliced

• 60g pitted black olives, halved

• 10g fresh mint leaves, torn

• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• 1 tsp honey

• 2 tbsp juice reserved from the oranges

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1. Trim the fennel, reserving any fronds. Halve the bulbs, remove the tough cores and slice the fennel as thinly as possible.

2. Cut the peel and white pith from the oranges. Working over a bowl to catch the juice, cut between the membranes to release the segments. Squeeze the remaining membranes to collect extra juice.

3. Whisk the dressing ingredients together, using 2 tbsp of the reserved orange juice.

4. Arrange the fennel, orange segments, onion and olives on a platter.

5. Spoon over the dressing and gently toss. Scatter with mint and the reserved fennel fronds, then serve.

Apple and Cabbage Slaw

• 250g white cabbage, finely shredded

• 150g red cabbage, finely shredded

• 2 crisp apples

• 1 large carrot, coarsely grated

• 3 spring onions, thinly sliced

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• 100g plain Greek yoghurt

• 2 tbsp mayonnaise

• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard

• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

• 2 tsp honey

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

• Whisk the dressing ingredients together in a large bowl. Season to taste.

• Core the apples and cut into fine matchsticks, leaving the skins on. Toss with the lemon juice.

• Add both cabbages, the apples, carrot and spring onions to the dressing.

• Toss thoroughly until everything is lightly coated. Taste and adjust the seasoning.

• Refrigerate for 15 minutes before serving to allow the flavours to mingle.

Salmon with Pineapple Salsa

• 4 salmon fillets, approximately 150g each

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• ½ tsp smoked paprika

• ½ tsp ground cumin

• ½ tsp salt

• Freshly ground black pepper

• Lime wedges, to serve

• 250g fresh pineapple flesh, finely diced

• ½ small red onion, finely chopped

• 1 small red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped

• 2 tbsp chopped fresh coriander

• 1 tbsp lime juice

• 1 tsp olive oil

• Salt, to taste

• Heat the oven to 200°C, or 180°C fan. Line a baking tray with baking paper.

• Combine the salsa ingredients in a bowl, season lightly with salt and set aside.

• Pat the salmon dry and place on the tray, skin-side down. Mix the olive oil, paprika, cumin, salt and black pepper, then brush over the fish.

• Bake for 12–15 minutes, depending on thickness, until the centre reaches 63°C.

• Spoon the pineapple salsa over the salmon and serve with lime wedges.

Chicken Tagine with Apricots and Almonds

• 700g boneless, skinless chicken thighs

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 large onion, thinly sliced

• 3 garlic cloves, crushed

• 2 tsp grated fresh ginger

• 1 tsp ground cumin

• 1 tsp ground coriander

• ½ tsp ground turmeric

• ½ tsp ground cinnamon

• 400ml low-salt chicken stock

• 150g dried apricots

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• 30g flaked almonds

• 2 tbsp chopped fresh coriander

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1. Season the chicken lightly with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a heavy-based casserole over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken in batches for 5–6 minutes, then transfer to a plate.

2. Add the remaining oil and onion to the casserole. Cook over medium heat for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.

3. Stir in the garlic, ginger and ground spices. Cook for 1 minute.

4. Return the chicken and any collected juices to the pan. Add the stock and apricots, then bring to a gentle simmer.

5. Cover and cook over low heat for 25 minutes. Uncover and simmer for a further 10–15 minutes, until the sauce has reduced and the chicken is tender, reaching at least 74°C in the thickest part.

6. Meanwhile, toast the almonds in a dry frying pan over medium heat for 2–3 minutes, stirring until golden.

7. Stir the lemon juice into the tagine and adjust the seasoning. Scatter with the almonds and fresh coriander before serving.