Lentil soup

An Iraqi recipe from Lamees Attar-Bashi, a food enthusiast, home chef and creator of facebook page, Lamees’s Kitchen.

Machboos simmach (spiced fried fish with saffron flavoured rice)

Recipe from Shaikha Al Ali, a Marketing major student at Zayed University Dubai, and founder of the cookery blog,
www.whenshaikhacooks.com.

Shorbat addas (mild lentil soup)

Recipe from Faisal Nasser, an environmental engineer from Abu Dhabi, who has always had an interest in food and culinary arts, and enjoys spending his weekends cooking for family and friends.

Spiced lamb koftas with mint & tomato salad

Use a North African spice mix to flavour these skewered meat kebabs and serve with wraps, tomato salad and yogurt

Shredded sesame chicken pancakes with spiced plum sauce

Cook your roast chicken with honey and five-spice glaze then serve with a Chinese-style fruit sauce and pancakes

British onion soup

Add some British ingredients to a classic French dish and voila, you have a whole new experience

Spiced potato wedges

These are a lovely accompaniment to, say, a soup and great for dunking

Watercress soup with blue cheese & cashew pastries

Make-ahead lunch or a light starter – relaxed cooking for a laid-back weekend at home

Raspberry spice cake

A show-stopping layer cake of moist buttermilk sponge, jam, berries and cream cheese frosting – a real centrepiece

Five-spice beef with black bean sauce & bok choi

Try this Asian-inspired beef dish and find out why Chinese five-spice is a store cupboard must-have. It’s versatile, easy to use and delicious

Triple ginger & spice cake

If you're looking for a slice with spice, try this deliciously moist and sticky ginger cake

Spiced meringues with coffee-soaked prunes

The mixed spice in the meringues and plump, juicy prunes give a Christmassy flavour to this budget dinner party dessert