Rose Water

Christmas cake

Heat oven to 160C/fan 140C/gas 3. Line the base and sides of a 20 cm round, 7.5 cm deep cake tin. Beat the butter and sugar with an electric hand mixer for 1-2 mins until very creamy and pale in colou...

British

Balalit Saweeya or Seviyan (Sweet Vermicelli Breakfast)

A gluten-free, tasty sweet breakfast or dessert made especially during the month of Ramadan in the Arabian Gulf region (Kuwait, UAE, Oman). It can sometimes be made with onion and egg.

Braised Chicken and Rice with Orange, Saffron, Almond, and Pistachio Syrup

This jewel of an Afghani dish features an unusual and exotic blend of flavors. The dish can be made with either chicken thighs or lamb shoulder, and is often served with slow-cooked spinach, leeks, and a touch of sweetened rhubarb.

French Macarons with Raspberry-Rose Buttercream

To create patisserie-perfect macarons, this recipe uses very finely ground almond flour. Any coarse particles are sifted out before use.

Braised Chicken and Rice with Orange, Saffron, Almond, and Pistachio Syrup

Here is a jewel of an Afghani dish. Unusual and exotic, it is one I cook regularly, sometimes with shoulder of lamb instead of chicken thighs. I serve it with slow-cooked spinach, finished with leeks and a minuscule amount of rhubarb. This may sound strange, but the rhubarb is sweetened by the leeks and it really does work.