Spiced Pea Courgette Fritters With Minty Yogurt Dip Recipes

CREAMY SPRING PEAS WITH PANCETTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Fill a large bowl with ice water. If using fresh English peas, add to the boiling water and cook until tender, about 1 minute. Add the snap peas and cook until bright green, about 2 minutes, then add the snow peas and cook 30 seconds. Drain the peas and plunge into the ice water to cool.
• Cook the pancetta in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate with a slotted spoon. Add the flour to the drippings in the skillet and cook, whisking, until toasted, about 1 minute. Whisk in the chicken broth and cream and cook until reduced by one-third, about 6 minutes.
• Drain the peas, shaking off the excess water, then add to the skillet (if using frozen peas, add them here). Cook, stirring, until heated through, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a serving bowl and top with the pancetta.
• Photograph courtesy Anna Williams

ZUCCHINI AND CARROT FRITTERS WITH YOGURT-MINT DIP

Steps:

• To make the batter for the fritters: in a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, coriander and 1/2 teaspoon salt. In a separate large bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, lemon zest and pepper.
• Pour dry ingredients into wet; whisk until just blended (do not overmix). Batter should be slightly thicker than cream. If it's too thick, add some milk; if it's too thin, sprinkle with additional flour. Stir in the carrots, zucchini and scallions. Allow to rest for 30 minutes.
• To make the yogurt dip: using a mortar and pestle or the back of a knife, mash together the garlic and 1/4 teaspoon salt. In a small bowl, whisk together the garlic paste, yogurt, mint and 1 tablespoon extra virgin oil. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
• Fill a wide saucepan with 1 inch of olive oil; heat until the temperature registers 375 degrees on a deep-fry thermometer (or until a small drip of batter browns immediately). Line a cookie sheet with paper towels. Working in batches, drop battered vegetables by the tablespoon into the oil, being sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry, turning occasionally, until golden all over, about 3 to 4 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer fritters to the cookie sheet to drain. Transfer fritters to a platter or plate; sprinkle with salt and serve with yogurt dip.

CHICKPEA & COURGETTE PILAF

Steps:

• Heat 2 tbsp of the oil in a pan over a medium heat and cook the onion for 8-10 mins until softened. Add the garlic and spices, and cook for 2 mins more until fragrant. Tip in the rice and 450ml boiling water from the kettle along with the lemon zest and ½ tsp salt. Cover, reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 20 mins, or until all the water has been absorbed and the rice is cooked through. This process can also be done in the oven: cook everything in a flameproof casserole and transfer to the oven once the rice and water has been added, covering and cooking for 20-25 mins at 190C/170C fan/gas 5.
• Heat the rest of the oil in a second pan over a medium-high heat and fry the courgette slices for 4 mins until slightly coloured and the edges are just softened. Stir in the chickpeas and cook for 2 mins more until warmed through. Season well.
• When the rice is cooked through, add half the lemon juice and fluff up the rice with a fork. Add the chilli flakes, if using, and chopped dill to the courgette and chickpea mixture. Season well. Stir in the remaining lemon juice and a splash more oil. Serve the rice with the courgettes.