Serves 4 as a side dish, 2 as a main course

I first came across this dish in Kerala but I was interested to find it is also a much-loved dish in Bengal.

Serves 5-6

THESE potatoes serve as an accompaniment to almost every Indian meal.

BHETKI is highly prized by Bengalis for its flavour and lack of bones.

Serves 10

Separate the fillet from the underneath side of the meat, cook separately or slice thinly at an angle and quickly stir fry. The chicken breast cooks more evenly when the fillet is removed.

A particularly delicious example of how fast and easy a Thai soup can be. Serve in Chinese porcelain bowls if available. The kaffir lime leaves and galangal are served but not eaten. The chilli may of course be nibbled. Prawns and shrimp can be substituted for chicken in this recipe with equally delicious results.

Serves 10-12.

Joy Larkcom, renowned vegetable gardener, horticulturist and garden writer will be the guest speaker at the next meeting of Ladysbridge & District Flower & Garden Club at Garryvoe Hotel, Garryvoe, Co Cork on Monday, March 31, at 8pm.