Mediterranean

Scallops are always a wonderful treat, especially if you are fortunate enough to have a good local supply or are able to lay your hands on really fresh ones. The secret of cooking scallops is not to overcook them or they will lose their succulent juiciness and become tough and stringy.

An antipasto platter of tender, fresh vegetables and a creamy dip is a familiar sight in bistros, trattorias and tavernas around the Mediterranean shore. Here's a gourmet antipasto plate which you can enjoy at home. Although you can buy quails' eggs in most supermarkets and delicatessens, you could use ordinary hens' eggs instead, in which case use 4 eggs (1/2 egg per person).

If wished, you can use a mixture of red, yellow and green peppers to make these colourful party canapes. They can be made in advance and stored for several hours in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve them. Because they are good "finger food", these pepper rolls would be prefect for popping into your packed lunch box, too.

These unusual burgers are delicious served with a crisp salad and some sliced ripe red tomatoes in the Mediterranean style.