Live webchat with cookery writer Claudia Roden - Weds 25 April 1-2pm

Hi Claudia
I feel very privileged to be able to "chat" to one of my great culinary heroines so this is a chance to say thank you for all your books, especially Mediterranean Food - the pissaladiere and salade nicoise recipes are amongst our all time favourites. My son and his Spanish wife live in Andalucia so we get lots of chances to sample home-cooked and restaurant food. I have to say that outside of Catalunya I am almost invariably disappointed with restaurant food, partly because I have to stay up past my bedtime to eat it and partly because there always seems to be too much overcooked meat. Do you think that the traditions of home-cooked food have been lost in many restaurants and do you think Spanish cuisine is changing and adapting to meet a taste for lighter food? Much as I love tortilla and patatas pobres, I can see that it really doesn't do my figure any good!

I like your Spanish book. Must look for a Jewish one as I had some wonderful food in Israel last year, including a lovely spicy tomato dip. I have no idea what it was. Do you?

Ways of using lemons in brine and best Middle Eastern salads please.

Best Haroset recipe please.
Thank you.

Best hummus recipe? Mine is always too garlicky...