The normal diet of gladiators was vegetarian, but not through choice or principle. The rations in their barracks consisted of sagina, which literally translates as ‘stuffing’. It was a barley and bean

TO PREP 10 mins TO COOK 40 mins SERVES 4 YOU WILL NEED ✔ 500g orzo ✔ 2 echalion shallots, sliced ✔ 2 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped ✔ 1 bunch of dill ✔ ¼ lemon, juice ✔ 1 tbsp dried mint ✔ 5

By Francesca Bonadonna from Plantifully Based (plantifullybasedblog.com) Serves 8 | Prep 30 mins plus soaking and chilling | Cook none FOR THE CHOCOLATE 255g vegan dark chocolate2 tsp vegetable oil or

■ Serves 6 ■ Prep 20 mins ■ Cook 2 hrs 10 mins 1 tbsp olive oil750g lamb neck, cut into chunks4 carrots, cut into chunks1 red onion, cut into wedges400ml chicken stock, plus extrafor the couscous400g

Prima ’s homes and food editor, Bella Evennett-Watts, shares her top advice and insider tips for this month

Bring back the classics with these retro puds