Fun filled and Med to order

Cook Georgina Hayden chats to ELEANOR FLEMING about her new fun-packed cookbook

- ELEANOR FLEMING

THE Mediterranean diet is often referred to as the best in the world, and award-winning food writer and cook Georgina Hayden wants us all to enjoy a slice of it, without any stress, with help from her new cookbook.

The 43-year-old mum of two's latest book, MEDesque, is a celebration of the best of Mediterranean food done her way: easy yet delicious and inspired by flavours from the coastlines of Italy, Spain, the Baltics and beyond.

“My first few books were super traditional but for the last two, Greekish and MEDesque, having fun with them has been liberating.

“We're all so busy, whether you've got kids or not, or you work or you're a carer, we want one-pan dishes or we want things a bit quicker. It’s so much fun being able to get those recipes and mess them up a bit.”

One of her favourites in MEDesque is the one-pan lasagne, which she says is great for a beginner, but she explains that “95% of the ingredients in the book are very everyday” so everyone can make them.

It's also been a chance to reflect on her favourite, lesser-known yet “gorgeous” Greek and Cypriot dishes to try this summer.