In Lebanon, food is not simply eaten, it is shared, argued over, lingered on and remembered. From the mountains to the coast, and especially in Beirut, cooking is deeply tied to identity, hospitality

■ Serves 2 ■ Prep 15 mins ■ Cook 20 mins 2 skin-on salmon fillets (about125g each)1 small red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped1 tbsp mirin1 tbsp soy sauce½ thumb-sized piece of ginger, peeled and g

This rich tart makes a lovely dish for a spring lunch – serve with a crisp green salad. SERVES 6 | PREP 20 MINS | COOK 1 HR 10 MINS | EASY 250g shortcrust pastry2 smoked haddock fillets knob of butter

■ Serves 8 ■ Prep 30 mins plus 10 mins resting ■ Cook 1 hr 500g kale, thick stalks discarded and roughly chopped1 tbsp each butter and olive oil2 onions, chopped3 garlic cloves, finely chopped750g ric

This take on pasta e ceci is like a hug in a bowl. It should be brothy, so add more water as it cooks if you need to. As it uses such humble ingredients, seasoning is key. A drizzle of good olive oil

At the age of 90, our best-loved cook continues to tempt us with her delicious, fuss-free dishes – guaranteed crowd-pleasers and perfect for any occasion