From personal experience

Former Hope St Radio chef ELLIE BOUHADANA invites you to gather your loved ones and enjoy an evening of good food and laughter with recipes from her new cookbook, Ellie's Table.

-  ELLIE BOUHADANA

WHEN I COOK FOR OTHERS AT HOME, MY HOPE IS that my guests feel a sense of intimacy and pleasure when they stand around the kitchen, watching and helping, and of course, when they sit down to eat the food. Having people over and cooking for them is, I think, one of the most beautiful ways to spend time with and really get to know your loved ones.

You can always fit one more person around the table, you can always dig out more food from the fridge and bulk out the meal - this is something I have learnt from my partner, Rapha, and our families. Unlike the restaurant kitchen, there's no need for perfection when you cook at home (and I say that as a perfectionist). If the food is full of flavour, and there is romantic lighting in the kitchen and dining room, and you and your guests are giggling and saying yum, that is what cooking and serving a meal should be. Take these recipes, cook them for others, and allow your tastebuds to guide you to make each dish your own. Strengthen your tastebuds by tasting the dish throughout the cooking process. Think about salt, texture and acidity as you cook.

Nothing should be bland and I implore you to bring yourself to every dish you cook. At the end of the meal, I want you to find yourself slouching back in your chair, feeling a fullness and warmth that you can only have after a good meal shared with good people.

Kingfish crudo with 'nduja and tomato dressing

SERVES 2 AS A STARTER

"This recipe sat proudly on the menu at Hope St Radio in early 2022," says Bouhadana. "The salty spiciness of the salami paste combined with the acidity of the tomato and lemon just works."