Suggested pairings for Mark Hix’ Chinese-inspired recipes in the Independent today and advice on which one to leave un-matched

Sometimes I wonder when we get to drink our best wines, food has become so fiddly and complicated so it’s a welcome relief to see a recipe like Rowley Leigh’s in the FT this weekend for a simply roast duck with peas.

Just as meat-based stews call for a more robust, rustic wine than simply grilled or roast meat so do seafood stews in comparison with simply prepared fish.

Dishes that cry out to be served with a British ale or cider

l love Ottolenghi's food - it’s so generous and big-flavoured, piled high on bright, colourful platters - you can't fail to be tempted by it. But boy, is it difficult to match!

Pairings for Mark Hix’s seasonal recipes with a twist

Good to see Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall giving some recipes that use beer in the Guardian today. As I discovered when my son Will and I wrote our book An Appetite for Ale last year, beer makes a great addition to many recipes and is often just as good a match for a meal as wine.

Or rather the flavours that go with it. Matches for Nigel Slater’s ‘Easy Chicken’ recipes in the Observer today.

Cheese and wine is a notorious minefield but is it any easier when the cheese is cooked? See my suggestions to match Mark Hix's delicious recipes in the Independent today:

And some more mainstream chocolate pairings