Why it isn’t always better to cook from scratch

WELCOME TO March

It’s the in-between month – a few spring flowers poking their blooms bravely through the soil, but no fresh home-grown veg or fruit to get eager about, apart from glorious pink forced rhubarb. It’s time to enjoy the last of the frost-nipped root veg, autumn-stored apples and pears. Cling on to ray-of-sunshine citrus and rev up the anticipation for those green shoots of spring. They’re on their way!

MARCH moments…

Weekend away March brings the first day of spring,

FROM OUR INBOX…

I read your recommendation for The Case Against Sugar

FOR STARTERS

NEWS, NIBBLES OF KNOWLEDGE AND GOOD THINGS TO DO RIGHT NOW

A SLICE OF MY LIFE

The celebrated Chinese cookery writer talks growing up in the kitchen and eating his way across the globe

WISH LIST

These pages are about us doing the hard work so you

delicious TEST REPORT

THE COOKERY SCHOOL

When was the last time you felt hungry?

In the first of a new series, philosopher and food lover Julian Baggini casts fresh light on the emotions, sensations and motivations surrounding food and the way we eat. This month, he ponders the problems of plenty

“I want to make good bread for everybody”

Phoebe Stone meets the artisan behind Bath’s Bertinet Bakery, whose signature sourdough is taking on the supermarkets

CHEERS!

New wave vodkas, plus drinks editor Susy AtkinsÕ best buys this month

DID WE REALLY EAT THAT?

Spam fritters, piped mashed potato, boil-in-the-bag curry… The culinary past is littered with best-forgotten dishes. In a flashback that’s more brain-freeze than madeleine moment, food writer Guy Dimond recalls some of the most ill-judged – and asks which modern trend we’re most likely to regret in decades to come

FREE! Apron and tea towel set

Hurry! Offer ends 31 March 2017

Can the right foods boost your metabolism?

A magic bullet for weight loss… Now wouldn’t that be a great thing? But can any single food help our body burn calories more quickly, or is the notion just a gimmick? Sue Quinn investigates

SINGAPORE

There are international superchefs galore in the food-obsessed city-state, but the street food, which has been awarded Michelin stars, is some of the best in the world – even if it’s not actually on the street… Jenny Linford trawls the shopping centres to track down the hottest Singaporean dishes in town

The Felin Fach Griffin: home from home

WORDS: KAREN BARNES. PHOTOGRAPHS: PAUL MASSEY AND KAREN

WIN Kitchen kit worth £480

Cook the cover this month and you could win this set

Michel Roux Jr invites you to the DINNER OF A LIFETIME!

This is a rare opportunity, something not to missÉ Join delicious. for an exclusive evening at Michelin-starred Le Gavroche

LOOSE ENDS

Don’t let this month’s special ingredients linger in your kitchen – make the most of them with these smart and easy ideas

COMING NEXT MONTH IN… delicious

• Make-ahead Easter lunch, family quiz, best Easter

Crumbles

It’s one of life’s simple pleasures: a sweet, saucy fruit filling under a blanket of crumblycrisp topping. These recipes won’t disappoint, and we’ve even included a savoury meaty version to expand your crumble horizons

SIX-HOUR PORK BELLY

This is the ultimate roast for a bunch of hungry carnivores.

How Thomasina Miers cooks for her friends

These dishes will satisfy (and maybe impress) the people

Winter’s last hurrah

They’ve seen us through winter but it’s not quite time

LEEKS

Leeks conjure up memories of my dad hoiking them out

HOMEMADE RICOTTA

Making cheese at home might seem like taking things too far, but the method is so simple and your efforts will be rewarded with something that tastes miles better than the stuff you buy from the supermarket

RECIPE HALL OF FAME: BROWNIES

Some edible things are so wondrously indulgent that, if they were to disappear, the food world would be bereft. In a new series, we get to the heart of what makes these dishes crave-worthy, and pin down how to achieve texture-flavour perfection. First up is a sweet treat loved by everybody

THE RECIPES MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME

Rachel Allen is a master at creating dishes with easy crowd appeal. To mark Mothering Sunday on 26 March, this collection from her latest book includes recipes of the most tempting kind, many of which are old favourites, handed down to her from her mum

Mother’s words of wisdom

Chefs, food writers and the delicious. team remember their mum’s best advice from growing up

4 EASY WAYS TO LIVEN UP YOUR DISHES

If you want to convince people you really know your stuff in the kitchen, a well judged dip, accompaniment or garnish is the answer. These quick fixes take minutes to make and will transform even the simplest plate of food into something memorable

Grandma’s dish is the essence of my Yorkshire childhood

For novelist Jane Sanderson, the aroma of her Grandma’s thrifty, no-nonsense hash as it bubbles on the hob transports her to the kitchen of a little terraced house, long ago

OATS The wonder ingredient

These versatile grains are part of British history. Comforting, filling and familiar, they’re a storecupboard staple with great cooking potential. They form the basis of a chewy flapjack, they give texture to cakes and make a crunchy protective coating when frying. If you think oats are just for breakfast, it’s time to think again

Welcome

We all know that if you want the freshest, most flavoursome

5 REASONS TO GROW YOUR OWN

If you’ve never tried growing your own, now’s the time to start – and here’s why

Where to PLANT

You don’t need a large garden to start growing your own – a windowsill, patio pot or hanging basket will do the job perfectly… So get sowing!

Grow-your-own favourites TOMATOES

If there’s one summer crop that every cook should try growing it’s tomatoes – as anyone who’s eaten them sun-warmed, straight from the plant, will agree

4 family favourites

The key to getting the most out of growing your own food is to plant things you like to eat. Here we feature four easy-to-grow vegetables and use them in recipes everyone will love

The joy of leaves

One of the pleasures of growing salad leaves and soft herbs is that they pop up again and again as if by magic… Toss them into summer dishes for unbeatable flavor

Grow-your-own favourite SUNSHINE VEG

Sun-loving veg, such as aubergines, courgettes and peppers, taste glorious in these summery recipes. Grow them yourself in pots on your patio for a Mediterranean vibe

YOUR Sow & grow GUIDE

If you’ve never grown your own produce from seed before, the process can seem a little confusing. When do I sow? When do I harvest? What do I do in between? The good news is there’s no mystery – here’s how to sow so you’re guaranteed a good yield

5 OF THE BEST

Here’s a round-up of products and ideas to help you on your journey of sowing, harvesting and enjoying your own fruit, veg and herbs. Armed with this little lot, you’re good to grow

7 WAYS TO SHAKE UP YOUR MIDWEEK COOKING

By adding a few clever twists and easy flavour flourishes, we’ve given family weeknight faves a new lease of life

Chicken thighs

Easy to prepare, packed with taste and the perfect foil for strong flavours, this good-value ingredient has culinary versatility in spades

HOW TO BE A HAPPY HEALTHY EATER

Tom Kerridge lost 11 stone in a bid to turn his life around. These recipes from his latest book are a snapshot of how he achieved his remarkable goal. The secret? A focus on gutsy, generous satisfaction, not deprivation

BEEF STROGANOFF

Our take on the 1970s supper is made with lean steak and a lighter, yet satisfyingly creamy sauce

The really useful vegetarian menu

A warming soup, a comforting cheesy tart and a pleasing pud – this meat-free menu has ‘dive right in’ written all over it. It’s simple to prepare too, especially if you make a dish or two ahead

THIS MONTH IN THE delicious. KITCHEN…

While the delicious. food team are testing recipes, they’re often debating the best ways to do things, as well as answer everybody else’s cookery questions, such as (this month) “What are all the different oats for?” and “Isn’t it easier just to let the person eating the food add the salt?” Here they’ve collected the best know-how together – with a helping hand from a friendly specialist or two. It’s the kind of information you won’t find anywhere else and it will take your cooking to the next level.

HOW TO JOINT A CHICKEN & MAKE COQ AU VIN

PHOTOGRAPHS: ALEX LUCK. FOOD STYLING: ROSIE RAMSDEN.