This is a light, refreshing terrine of spring vegetables set in a jellied tomato sauce. Allow plenty of time to set each layer. The recipe may sound fiddly, but is really easy.

Ingredients

• 1 red onion, peeled and chopped
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 425 gram can tomatoes in juice
• 3 cups tomato juice
• ½ cup basil leaves
• 3-4 courgettes, cut lengthwise into quarters
• 1 red pepper, cut into thick strips
• 1 yellow pepper, cut into thick strips
• 2 teaspoons gelatin
• 4 artichoke hearts, chokes removed
• olive oil to garnish, extra virgin is nice here
• roasted pinenuts to garnish
• basil leaves to garnish

Method

1. Gently pan-fry the onion and garlic in a dahs of oil until fragrant. Add the tomatoes with their juice, 1 cup of the tomato juice and the basil leaves and bring to the boil. Simmer 5 minutes.
2. Grill the courgettes and peppers until golden. Allow the courgettes and peppers to cool. When cool enough to handle, peel away the charred skins from the peppers.
3. Sprinkle gelatin over the remaining tomato juice and leave to swell. Heat in the microwave for 10-20 seconds on high or over a dish of hot water. Stir into the tomato sauce. Cool.
4. Line a 11cm x 20cm loaf tin with 2-3 layers of clingfilm. Pour a 1cm layer of tomato sauce into the base and refrigerate for 15 minutes or until just set. Keep the remaining sauce covered at room temperature.
5. Arrange a layer of courgettes on top and pour over about 1 cup of tomato sauce. Chill until just set. Repeat the layers with the peppers, artichokes and remaining courgettes, chilling each time to let the sauce set. Continue until the tin is full and all the vegetables and sauce have been used. Refrigerate for 4 hours or until firmly set. To serve, turn out, peel off the plastic wrap and slice thickly with a sharp knife. Serve with a salad garnished with a drizzle of olive oil, pinenuts and a few basil leaves.

Cooks Tips

- Do not place the vegetables too close to the edge of the tin. Leave at least 1-2cm, so the terrine doesn't break up when you slice it.