Prep time:

Cooking time: 2 minutes

Total time:

Serves: 4

8 slices parma ham

150g soft goat’s cheese

4tbsp crème fraîche

100g fresh podded peas

100g broad beans

Pesto

Bunch of basil

Clove of garlic

2tbsp grated parmesan

Olive oil to loosen

Pinch of salt

Dressing

Half a lemon

1tsp Dijon mustard

5tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Salt and pepper

Chopped chives and mint

Slotting home cooking into a hectic schedule can be a challenge but Toby Welfare of The Cloudberry in Cranbrook shows how with some good stand by staples and a few chef's shortcuts delicious family meals can be rustled up in no time

  1. Blanch the peas and broad beans for a minute in boiling water then refresh under cold running water. Mash the goat’s cheese and crème fraîche until you have a smooth paste – this is your ‘goat curd’. Heap two tablespoons of curd onto each plate.
  2. Bash the pesto ingredients in a pestle and mortar slowly incorporating the olive oil until you have a thick pourable consistency (this tastes even better if you do it the day before). Pour a little over the ‘goat curd’. 
  3. Fold two slices of parma ham around the goat curd, fat side up so they look a little like tulip petals. Dress the broad beans and peas and scatter around the parma ham and goat curd, scatter the chopped chives and mint over the top.

The Cloudberry, Stone Street, Cranbrook, Kent
01580 712336 thecloudberryrestaurant.com
Open for lunch, 12-3pm and dinner, 6-11pm, Tuesday to Saturday

Savoury gingerbread & local Camembert (Winnie’s Wheel)

To make this canapé you can use shop-bought gingerbread, but I prefer something a bit more savoury.

Parma ham basket with labneh, truffle or herb oil & Jerusalem artichoke crisp

A complex canapé with multiple elements, but the wow factor lies in the surprisingly simple-to-make basket.

Chilli beef, mozzarella & chilli jam bruschetta

A super easy canapé that can be elevated with homemade bread and chutney or simplified using shop-bought ingredients. The flexibility makes it ideal for both casual gatherings and more polished events.