Nigel Slater's Simple Cooking

Nigel Slater explores one of the most successful pairings, sweet and sour

Nigel Slater explores the classic culinary pairing of fish (surf) and meat (turf).

Nigel Slater explores how well something cool works with something spicy

Nigel Slater explores how the contrasting textures of crisp and soft work to improve dishes

Nigel Slater explores another classic combination

Nigel Slater explores how dishes that are born and grow together, work well together.

Nigel Slater explores the role of temperature in food combinations

Nigel Slater explores the weird and the wonderful in classic culinary recipes

Nigel Slater continues his exploration of brilliant culinary combinations, this episode he's turning his attention to texture. Success in the kitchen isn't just about tastes and flavours - contrasting textures can really lift a dish. He'll be making a classic savoury pie with a puff pastry crust, and will be putting traditional pizza ingredients together in a new way to make an entirely original dish. Nigel also travels to Brighton to meet a couple who have their own seafront smokery, who'll be showing him a soft and crisp recipe of their own.

Nigel Slater explores successful food marriages in the kitchen, turning the spotlight on surf and turf - the classic culinary pairing of fish and meat. Nigel shares his all-time surf and turf favourites, including mackerel and bacon salad, trout with parma ham and lamb shanks with anchovy. He also heads out to find out how one fisherman keeps his crew happy by cooking the freshest surf and turf recipe - a simple dish of scallops and chorizo - right off the back of his boat.

Nigel Slater continues his exploration of brilliant culinary combinations, this time turning his attention to texture. Success in the kitchen is not just about tastes and flavours - contrasting textures can really lift a dish. Nigel puts a twist on a childhood favourite - poached pears with a cream and biscuit filling.

Nigel pairs spice with contrasting cooling flavours as he makes a chicken and chilli curry, spiced rice pudding and hot and spicy prawns.