RECOMMENDATIONS

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  Birthday cake

  Rachel Allen's cake has no butter, even when it's filled with lots of lovely whipped cream, it still seems so light. A great recipe for a children's party

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  Zesty orzo salad

  For a piquant side dish that's great for buffets, barbecues and picnics, try Caroline Hire's lemon and caper pasta salad

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  Toffee fudge bananas

  These deliciously fudgy, creamy, nutty, crunchy desserts from Tom Parker Bowles are so easy and so addictive that you’re almost certain to make them more than once

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  Herring salad with dulse

  Gary Rhodes uses an Irish sea vegetable, to add an extra hint of the sea to his potted herring salad

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  Middle Eastern falafel with fresh tomato sauce

  These falafels are great stuffed into pitta bread and smothered in fresh tomato sauce for a sure-to-please vegetarian dish

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  Crab pancakes with béchamel

  A savoury seafood dish with lashings of creamy spinach-laden béchamel from Giancarlo Caldesi

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  Fish tagine with Moroccan bread

  Barry Vera serves a moreish, fragrant seafood delight with soft, crusty Moroccan bread rolls

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  Spicy beef salad

  A quick dish packed with zingy flavours from Paul Merrett

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  Moroccan lamb with harissa-spiced couscous and chickpea salsa

  Alan Murchison spends time developing the hot and piquant north African flavours in this delicious recipe, and the result is worth the work

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  Portobello mushroom salad with pickled pears

  Paul Merrett whips up a substantial autumnal salad using the best of British ingredients