For when you need to cook something in 30 minutes: coconut daal

Fuel for when you go through Facebook messages from old lovers (a humbling experience)

As you’ll have come to realise, I am a creature of habit and tend to make the same 8-10 recipes over and over again. Look, they call it a signature for a reason. Daal is one of those dishes I can cook with my eyes closed and it turns out different every time. Consistency is not my strongest personality trait, I’ll admit. With less than 30 minutes to prep and cook something for my friend Amy, it was the only option, beetroot in the fridge be damned. Including chopping, rinsing rice and cooking, I think this was done in 30 minutes flat, which made me feel like I had won in the game of life. Amy and I spent the evening eating seconds and thirds, reminiscing about our university years and trawling through Facebook messages with former lovers, which was a… humbling experience.

brutal.

For two hungry people and leftovers for the next day you’ll need…

• One large banana shallot, diced