Nik Sharma’s recipes for lentil-stuffed onions and cauliflower with black garlic yoghurt

Crisp, caramelised cauliflower in a pungent sauce, and onions stuffed with saffron-scented lentils

The idea of stuffing vegetables isn’t new, but it’s a practice I cherish. Defined by the size and dynamics of vegetable architecture, you could potentially stuff anything: aubergines, tomatoes, peppers, chillies, okra … the list goes on. This week, onions are filled like little pots with lentils, spices and vegetable stock scented with bright, gorgeous saffron. The onions transform into little gifts. Away from stuffing is this smoky, roast cauliflower, which is one of those vegetables that greatly benefits from caramelising in a hot oven. Not only does it take on a bittersweet taste, but it also acquires a crisp texture, to both of which I’m extremely partial.