Welcome to May

I s there a more joyous month than

FOOD TO bring joy

Gorgeously vibrant, fun and made for sharing – this collection of recipes is designed to raise smiles over the holiday weekends

speedy dinners

Take your tastebuds from Italy to Thailand with our quick-to-cook recipes

Al fresco eats

seasonal calendar

Half-term picnic hamper

Plan a day out over the school holidays with sweet and savoury treats to fuel the fun

5 issues for just £5

Get all the latest inspiration delivered to your door with a Good Food magazine subscription. Pay just £5 for your first five issues, then £24.50 every six issues – still saving a huge 40% on the shop price!*

The cherry on top

Bake a crowd-pleaser over the bank holiday

Cook smart

Spend less and make more of your freezer with this month’s recipes, including new ways with frozen peas

Freeze and reheat

Batch-cook these dishes when you have time, then stash in the freezer for busier days

Perfect peas

So much more than a side, this freezer staple is the star of the show in speedy dishes from our senior food editor Samuel Goldsmith

Bone health

Dr Chintal Patel explains how making food and lifestyle changes can keep our bones strong and healthy

aubergine

Pack more goodness into salads, stews and pasta with this glossy fruit – nutritionist Jo Lewin explains how

Take an Italian journey of discovery

Prices from £1,549pp* Florence and Tuscany July-October

See the spectacular Swiss Alps on the Glacier Express

From £1,595pp* 16-20 September 2025, 2-6February and 23-27

Discover the beauty of Spain

Take in the stunning views of Andalucia or Tenerife on these exciting tours

Cruise around Scotland or Norway

The scenic isles of Scotland 22-27 August

Sail along the Seine or the Rhine

Prices from £2,049pp* Gastronomy of the Seine

At its best

Be inspired with recipes from our skills editor Barney Desmazery using homegrown broad beans, gooseberries and new potatoes

Homegrown

Eat seasonally when produce is at its peak, both in flavour and affordability, and preserve some to enjoy all year round

Discover it now elderf lower

Barney Desmazery sings the virtues of a lesser used ingredient at its seasonal peak

weekend

Aubergine napoleon, p108 Make time for cooking

Crispiest buttermilk fried chicken burgers

Marinate chicken in buttermilk to tenderise it, then use rice flour to up the crunch in the coating

Brunch with friends

Get the bank holidays off to the best start with sweet and savoury dishes to share

Get grilling

Go beyond burgers and sausages and elevate your outdoor cooking with inventive recipes from Tom Kerridge

Dine in the sunshine

We asked some of the talent appearing at this month’s Good Food Show Summer (12-15 June) about their favourite things to eat al fresco

Share the pies

Not just for winter – these sweet and savoury ideas are great for feeding a crowd

My favourite dish Ottolenghi’s cheeseball lemon rice

Chef and restaurateur Yotam Ottolenghi shares his favourite four-cheese rice dish with a Middle Eastern twist

World on a plate

Rising Stars runner-up and street-food chef Archie Herbert wowed the judges with his global flavours. Get a taste of his cooking style here, plus a new recipe from winner Georgia Hughes

Palestinian home cooking

Rawia Bishara , chef and owner of legendary Brooklyn restaurant Tanoreen, shares her take on traditional recipes from her childhood

Raise a glass

Mix a sparkling lemonade cocktail, plus what to look out for in shops this month

IN the KNOW

Sharpen your skills in the kitchen with our expert guides and make a note of the latest cookbooks and events to catch

LEARN SOMETHING new

Learn to cook like a professional with top tips from Michelin-starred chef Max Coen

GET OUT AND ABOUT

Enjoy a wellness weekend at Hampton Court Palace, shop for plants at BBC Gardeners’ World Fair or browse artisan food stalls

RHUBARB CRUMBLE

Use in-season rhubarb to make this classic, comforting pudding

5 OF THE BEST ICE CREAM MAKERS

Whip up your own frozen desserts in a flash with these tried-and-tested models

BOOKS for COOKS

Our resident reviewer Fiona Forman makes a Bengali prawn curry from Yatra by Rohit Gai and browses more new titles

WHY ARE YOU throwing away fruit?

We waste fruit on a shocking scale in the UK, but small changes to the way we all shop, cook and eat can make a big difference

MEET OUR Climate heroes

‘Going plant-based changed my life’ Shakira is

Paradise found

Not just for couples, the calm crystal waters, varied activities and range of cuisine in Mauritius ensure a heavenly family break

New York

Make the most of the ‘city that never sleeps’ by sampling some its best culinary offerings

Foodie cruises for all ages

No longer reserved for couples and retirees, cruising offers plenty of fun for kids and adults alike