One of the many highlights of Syrian food is mezza, a generous spread of small dishes, mostly eaten without cutlery, using flat bread, lettuce or vine leaves to scoop up dips or to wrap around portions of colourful salads. Syrian dishes are mainly focused around this mezza concept and key ingredients in Syrian recipes include garlic, lamb, rice, chickpeas, fava beans, lentils, cabbage, cauliflower, vine leaves, olive oil, lemon juice, mint, pistachios, honey and fruits.

Jewel-like pomegranates are one of my favourite salad ingredients. That little pop of sweet tartness is a joy to eat with crisp greens and cucumber.

A beautiful vegetarian dish that showcases Syrian cuisine perfectly … aromatic spices, lemon, honey dressing and garlic yoghurt.

You can easily double or triple this recipe to make as much or as little as you need. Allow one medium eggplant per person and a couple of tablespoons of hummus.

Lamb is a staple in Syria. Combined with this aromatic spice rub and side salad, it is a healthy and delicious feast.

This Smoky Cauliflower Pepita Hummus is one of my family’s favourite vegetable dishes. It’s a divine combination of flavours and super-nourishing too.

Chickpeas are loaded with dietary fibre and protein, along with important nutrients such as folate (vitamin B9), iron, zinc and magnesium. Falafels are the perfect addition to mezzplates, in wraps, tossed through salads or healthy veggie burgers.

Chickpeas are an excellent source of resistant starch, which is considered a prebiotic as it helps the beneficial gut microbiota to grow and flourish in the digestive tract. Hummus is a healthy snack rich in protein and fibre that works together to slow down digestion to keep you feeling full for longer. Hummus is so versatile. You can serve it with flat breads, on wraps, sandwiches or toast, or with veggie sticks or wholegrain crackers.

Quinoa is a highly nutritious seed that’s rich in protein and dietary fibre to help keep you regular and promote healthy blood sugar levels. Quinoa is also a good source of iron which is needed to produce calming neurotransmitters like dopamine, as well as support strong immune function. Parsley is an excellent source of vitamin K required for healthy blood clotting, along with beta-carotene that offers protection against eye diseases including macular degeneration.

Fermented foods are “hot” health topics these days, and tempeh is an excellent example as well as being a great source of protein.

Runners, sneakers and trainers are a massive business, but they also leave a enormous eco-footprint. We track down the most ecologically sound and stylish pairs of shoes.

Will the stars align for you? Time to sneak a peek into the future with Christine Broadbent to see what’s in store for your star sign.