Naomi Sherman

If you’ve ever visited the Philippines, you’ll know very well the sound of street vendors calling “Tahoooooo”! Served as a delicious breakfast or a treat at any other time of day, Taho is made of layers of lush silken tofu, rich sweet syrup and pops of tapioca pearls. It is traditionally served warm, but can also be eaten cold. I made mine using boba pearls, purchased at my local Asian grocer, because I love the drama of those big pearls, but you can also use traditional tapioca pearls or even sago.

There are a few basic guides to eating a Blue Zone-inspired diet: plants are king, reduce sugar wherever possible, incorporate beans into your daily diet and eat seasonally as a priority

This soup is hearty and comforting, made from pantry ingredients, and comes together in about half an hour. It can be very easily made vegan by leaving out the chicken and using vegetable stock. You can swap and change the beans to your personal preference. It is honestly delicious, no matter how I have made it.

These Bofrots are also called Puff Puffs. The sweet, spiced dough is fried in balls until crispy on the outside and fluffy in the middle.

Jollof is a seasoned rice dish that is one of the most popular foods throughout West Africa. Each region has its own unique twist on the classic recipe but this one from Ghana.

If you don’t love a still-warm cinnamon doughnut, then we can’t be friends anymore. Make these traditionally deep-fried treats much healthier by baking them instead.

I’m not going to pretend that this dish isn’t a bit of work, but trust me when I say it’s worth every second. From the crisp, delicious potato crust to the lush, flavour-packed filling, it’s a vegetarian show-stopper.

Are you sold yet? These delicious, sweet and sticky tenders are perfect served to your friends for a simple yet memorable dinner. They also freeze well and can form the basis of so many other meals for yourself, so they are great for meal prepping too.

There is a dish that went viral on TikTok using ramen noodles and Asian-style sauces. I wondered what would happen if I reinvented it with some simple ingredients that I think every student would have in their pantry. Did I expect it to be one of the tastiest dishes I’ve made? No. Did I realise that I would now be tossing a bowl together whenever I didn’t feel like cooking a full meal? No. Did both of these things happen? Absolutely! Seriously, try it yourself — it’s not just for students.

Spaghetti and meatballs is comfort food personified, but what student has the time, money and fridge space to buy
a million ingredients to craft the perfect gourmet meatballs? I’m not a student, but this is still my favourite way to make fast and fabulous meatballs using a supermarket hack and minimal equipment. Show me a student who will say no to more time and money.

These jackfruit carnitas are very similar in look and texture to pulled pork and have a delicious, deep, earthy flavour thanks to the marinade.

These delicious, sweet and sticky tenders are perfect served to your friends for a simple yet memorable dinner.