welcome.

Laura Rowe Editorial director, delicious. Follow me on

Paul Hollywood brıngs the flour power

Baking superstar Paul talks accidental stardom, weighs up the most common baking errors and expresses bemusement at how his Hollywood handshake became famous. Plus: we have two exciting bakes from his new book

NUGGETS

Choice bits of knowledge, food news and seasonal inspiration

Over to you...

STAR EMAIL ★ Subject: Totally tomatoes! From: John

The booklist

Food writers put their stamp on Mexican, Middle Eastern and Brazilian traditions in Mark Diacono’s top cookbook choices this month. Plus: tributes to mushrooms and spices

Make it special

Chill out with our easy sorbets and granitas, BBQ magic from Rosie Mackean and Aktar Islam, and drool-worthy hot dogs. Plus: lighter wines for summer and Belgian beers

Grill party

This thrilling grilling menu from entertaining expert Rosie Mackean won’t leave you stuck by the barbie with a tinny – because, as ever, she’s built in clever bits of prep to ensure you can join in the patio chat

DESI BBQ with Aktar Islam

PHOTOGRAPHS ANDREW HAYES-WATKINS A BIT ABOUT AKTAR He’s

Ice, ice baby

Ice cream is all well and good, but when the weather’s really hot, you need something even more refreshing. Head of food Tom Shingler’s sorbets and granitas are how we’re keeping cool – and you don’t even need an ice cream machine

TOP DOG

Transform a regular hot dog into a gourmet feast with our next-level toppings, exciting new fillings and the best fluffy homemade buns

Into the light

Lower-alcohol wines are made for summer evening sipping. Kelly Sullivan looks at a growing category and picks the juiciest options. Plus: a ginger softie and a new celebrity gin

4 TOP MID- STRENGTH WINES

THE CURVEBALL Mirabeau x Fever-Tree Rosé Spritz 8%

WINE DEBUNKED

WHAT IS NATURAL WINE?

SOFTIE OF THE MONTH

The market for non-alcoholic aperitifs to sip during

Variety show

Belgium has a bewildering array of beer styles, says expert Mark Dredge – and there’s a food to go with every one

A glass of sauvignon blanc with… CAROL KIRKWOOD

Weather presenter Carol has been breaking the meteorological news for 30 years. Now also a seasoned novelist, she shares her views on fresh clams, Joan Collins and Gone With The Wind

Be a Better Cook

Gather summer fruit for a showstopping pavlova, discover the wonders of stuffed chicken wings, experiment with DIY sharp-fruity vinegars and choose between trad or twist bakewell tart – or make them both!

Jack Croft and Will Murray’s nose-to-tail cookery course

THIS MONTH: THE ART OF STUFFING CHICKEN WINGS

Trad vs twist

BAKEWELL TART

Your new showstopper PAVLOVA

MASTERING MERINGUE

How to make your own fruity vinegars

Sometimes it’s good to be a sourpuss, as vinegar devotee Pollyanna Coupland can attest. She shows how to make your own thrifty, fruity-sharp delights – plus a shortcut infusion for those who want instant results

WIN! A self-catering getaway on the Dorset coast

This is your chance to win a luxurious stay for up to 10 people. The venue? The fully equipped Coast House in Mudeford, near Christchurch Harbour

WIN two nights at Elissa Lifestyle Beach Resort in Rhodes

You and a friend could be living the high life, wining, dining and soaking up the sun in all-inclusive style on the much-loved Greek island

DON’T MISS YOUR SEPTEMBER delicious.

Pasta with Padella’s Tim Siadatan FUN WITH

RECIPE INDEX

120 STARTERS, SIDES & SNACKS • Beetroot ‘carpaccio’

PUZZLES PAGE

Test your food knowledge for a chance to WIN with Hugh Thompson’s culinary crossword

Elevated everyday

Globe-trotting salads and ingenious make-ahead micro-recipes to transform picnics and barbecues. Plus: beetroot and gooseberry delights from the garden, and fun with blackberries

A world of flavour

The cosmopolitan, veg-packed flavours in Natalia Rudin’s exciting-but-fuss-free cooking come from her globe-trotting background as a personal chef. Let her take your taste buds on a joy ride

HOT WEATHER HACKS

Prep these quick and easy micro recipes ahead. Then, when the sun shines, you’re ready to upgrade your barbecue or transform a picnic

In my TRUG

It’s time to relax and enjoy the fruits of your labour, says Kathy Slack, as she harvests, cooks and eats sweet and earthy beets, lazily delicious tomatoes and tart, bright, easy-to-grow gooseberries

Beautiful BRAMBLES

RECIPES AND FOOD STYLING EMILY GUSSIN AND POLLYANNA COUPLAND

BY FJORD AND SEA

The Trondheim Fjord in Norway is home to one of the country’s most dramatically situated cities. Food writer Josh Barrie explores its old docks and modern eateries, then heads off to the islands for a taste of the wild side

PUB GARDENS? Meh… I’d rather be inside

Sun-blinded, smoke-assailed, harassed by wasps – and drinking from a plastic cup. An outdoor pint in the city isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, says food writer Tomé Morrissy-Swan