A tumbet is specific to Mallorca; it is unique to the region. It highlights the bounty of the land and the abundance of vegetables. It is country cooking at its best, the vegetables taking centre stage. The dish is influenced by the Arabs, Moorish farming and cooking techniques. The Moors ruled the Balearic Islands from the 10th to the 13th centuries, bringing advanced irrigation and cultivation techniques. They also introduced vegetables such as tomatoes and eggplants. From

Some recipes come from the dessert, and this is one of them. The recipe is about a few ingredients and is cooked slowly to extract flavour and nourishment. Lentils form the core of this soup, slow-cooked until they retain a lovely bite, and spinach is added for colour and nourishment. The magic in the soup is the topping of coriander and garlic (taklia), which adds a pop and wonderful flavour. The soup is filling, and the slow cooking allows the community ot travellers to com

I have always believed that vegetables can be delicious, and this dish proves it. Whenever I have it on the table, I ask the hardcore carnivores to at least try it, and then I notice they almost always go back for seconds. This is a beautiful dish; the vegetables add a splash of colour, studded with mustard seeds and glazed with caramelised maple syrup. There is spice, sweetness and different textures. I sometimes make this as a main course and enjoy the vegetables for their