If you think that all crumpets are good for is toasting and being slathered with butter – yummy though that is – think again.

While we have taken care in preparing this summary and believe it is accurate, it is not a substitute for your reading the product packaging and label prior to use. In Mezcla, the vegetarian and vegan dishes take pride of place with 60 per cent of the recipes being vegetarian, and most dishes easily veganised. Take the pan off the heat and cover the celery with a lid, leave it and allow it to soften in the heat left in the pan. These lovely flavours made us slow down to properly appreciate the bounty of gorgeous vegetable dishes gracing the table.I not only enjoyed making these noodles but they also worked a treat in the sauce as they warmed through together.

She is a die-hard Francophile – speaking French helps tremendously – but put her anywhere and she is happy. Inspired by Mexican mole and the Brazilian dish rabada com agrião, this dish combines the best elements of both, resulting in fall off the bone short ribs in a rich, yet subtly sweet, sauce. While the mushrooms cooked – and the kitchen filled with mouth-watering aromas – chickpeas were mashed with yoghurt and garlic (do heat this before serving, it is optional but I feel improves the taste). MEZCLA means mix, blend or fusion in Spanish and in her first solo cookbook, Ixta Belfrage - loved for her inventive ingredient combinations - shares her favourite mezcla of flavours. Belfrage divides the book into Everyday and Entertaining sections so that readers can pick what level of energy or time they have and can select recipes from the relevant section.After five years of honing her abilities in the Ottolenghi Test Kitchen and co-authoring the bestselling Ottolenghi FLAVOUR, Ixta’s first solo cookbook is an exciting and personal delve into her culinary history and food influences. The title to be read and discussed is sign-posted and on sale for the whole of the previous month (with a discount for those who make it known they intend to come) and everybody is welcome, whether first-timer, part-timer or regular-timer.