The Hairy Bikers new book: TV chef duo reveal 150 Mediterranean dish ideas

Tell us about your new book…

Dave: We wanted to feature Mediterranean dishes, but there are 21 countries and 200 islands, so we picked the western Med, where the food culture is incredible. Over three months we motorcycled in the sun, ate amazing food, did our research for the book and filmed a TV series to accompany it.

Si: What we now know as Mediterranean cuisine has developed over the past 4,000 years into this amazing, diverse, fresh and seasonal food – there’s no other food like it.

Which are your favourite recipes in the book?

Si: Fregola with saffron and seafood. Fregola is a kind of mini pasta in the shape of beads that’s popular in Sardinia. It’s simple to make, but so lovely.

Dave: In Southern Italy we learned about “cucina povera” – the poor people’s kitchen – where the ingredients are very simple. We have four or five of those recipes in the book, including pasta in chickpeas. It’s delicious.

You spend a lot of time together – do you ever fall out?

Si: Not really. We rub along quite nicely. 

Dave: We’ve been friends for more than 20 years. We’re in a very lucky position. 

How are you spending Christmas?

Dave: I’m doing pantomime this year, so I’ve only got Christmas Day off. My wife’s Romanian and they celebrate on Christmas Eve. I’ve got three performances on Christmas Eve, so I’ll have what I’m given!

Si: Christmas Eve is always a big thing in our house. My three boys will be round and my partner and stepson are coming over from Australia. The boys will go off to their mum’s for Christmas lunch and then we’ll all reconvene on Boxing Day.

The Hairy Bikers’ Mediterranean Adventure is out now (£25, Seven Dials). The Hairy Bikers Home For Christmas is on Monday on BBC1.