I have a recipe which is called succotash, but after Googling, I have discovered that it is different to what is known as succotash in the U.S. I like the flavours and it's nice when I want something slightly different. It's interesting, too, that if I taste it before the flavours are integrated, it tastes a bit off-putting, but as soon as the flavours have worked in together it is yummy.

It has sautéed onions and garlic, with tinned tomatoes, red and green capsicum pieces, and corn kernels. Sometimes I add carrot chunks too, which I fry at the same time as the capsicum.

After cooking the onions and garlic until they are nicely translucent, I fry the capsicum pieces for a bit, then the tinned tomatoes (or fresh if they are available) and then the corn kernels. Cook it for at least 20 minutes, or until the flavours are right. Goes well with rice, etc. You can fry some chopped bacon pieces at the beginning, keep them aside, then fry the onions in the bacon fat if you aren't making a vegetarian version. Scatter the bacon bits on the top to serve.

It makes a good bring-and-share dish.


Another good, deceptively simple dish is Turkish green beans

There are lots of recipes around. Sometimes I sneak in about half a teaspoon of paprika, too, or some harissa paste. It's one of my favourite dishes with rice, and is a good accompaniment to kebabs or other meat or with vegetarian Turkish food - or with non-mediterranean food as well.

Helen