1. Wash the mussels in cold water and scrape off any barnacles with a knife. Discard any that don`t show signs of closing when squeezed gently, then pull out the tough fibrous beards protruding from between the closed shells.

2. Heat a large, heavy-based pan over a high heat. Add the mussels and two tablespoons of water, cover and shake around for 2-3 minutes, or until the mussels have just opened. Drain into a colander and leave until cool enough to handle. (Discard any mussels that do not open.)

3. Break away the empty, top half-shell from each mussel. Release the meat in the other shell, but leave it in place. Place them side by side on a serving platter.

4. For the dressing, put the chopped tomato into a mini food processor and blend until smooth. Add the vinegar, oil and some salt and pepper to taste and blend briefly once more to combine.

5. Tip into a small bowl and stir in the capers, cornichons, red onion, green pepper, red pepper and parsley. Spoon some of the dressing over each mussel and serve at room temperature.

• 750g/1lb 10oz large mussels

• 1 medium vine-ripened tomato, skinned, roughly chopped

• 1 tbsp sherry vinegar

• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

• salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 1 tbsp capers, roughly chopped

• 2 pickled cornichons (mini gherkins), finely chopped

• 1 tbsp finely chopped red onion

• 1 tbsp finely chopped green pepper

• 1 tbsp finely chopped red pepper

• 1 tbsp finely chopped flatleaf parsley

1. Soak the salt cod in 3 - 4 litres of water in the fridge for 24 - 48 hours, depending on thickness. Change the water several times.

2. Put the piece of soaked salt cod into a pan of cold water, bring to the boil, then cover and turn off the heat. Leave to sit for 10 minutes, then lift carefully onto a plate and leave to cool. Break into flakes, discarding the skin and any bones, cover and set to one side.

3. Whisk the ingredients together for the dressing with half a teaspoon of salt in a small bowl. Put the flaked salt cod, orange segments, onion rings and olives into a mixing bowl and pour over the dressing. Add the parsley and mix together gently. Leave for five minutes then adjust the seasoning to taste.

4. Lift the salad out of the excess dressing onto serving plates, garnish with the hard-boiled egg and serve at room temperature.

• 500g/1lb 2oz salt cod
• 3 large oranges, peeled, segmented
• ½ small red onion, thinly sliced into rings
• 24 good-quality cured black olives, pitted
• 2 tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley
• 1 hard-boiled egg, peeled and roughly chopped into small pieces

For the dressing

• 2 tbsp sherry vinegar
• 2 tbsp red or white wine vinegar
• 3 tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice (from segmenting the oranges)
• 8 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 225g/8oz green-brown lentils, such as pardina
• 6 tbsp olive oil
• 1 head garlic, cloves peeled and thinly sliced
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 200g/7oz carrot, finely chopped
• 100g/3.5oz thinly sliced Serrano ham, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp pimentón dulce (smoked sweet Spanish paprika)
• 2 large vine-ripened tomatoes, skinned, chopped
• 125ml/4fl oz dry white wine
• 1 tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley
• salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the salsa brava

• 3 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp pimentón picante (smoked hot Spanish paprika), plus extra for serving

• ½ tsp crushed dried chilli flakes

• ½ tsp Tabasco sauce

• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar

• 125ml/4fl oz tomato sauce (see Top recipe tip below)

For the potatoes

• 1.5kg/3lb 5oz floury potatoes, such as Maris Piper or King Edwards, peeled

• 180ml/6fl oz olive oil