Goat's cheese-stuffed zucchini flowers with radicchio salad

Zucchini flowers - delicate and delicious, this rare garden offering is worth waiting for and makes simple meals look gourmet.

• 100g goat's cheese
• 100g fresh ricotta
• 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon rind
• 1/4 cup finely chopped chives
• 12 zucchini flowers
• 1/2 cup (75g) plain flour
• 2 tablespoons cornflour
• Pinch of bicarbonate of soda
• 1 small egg, lightly whisked
• 3/4 cup (185ml) chilled soda water
• Vegetable oil, for deep frying
• Plain flour, to dust

Radicchio and rocket salad

• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 bunch rocket, trimmed
• 1 small radicchio, leaves separated
• 2 tablespoons toasted pinenuts

1. Step 1

   Combine the goat's cheese, ricotta, lemon rind and chives in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper.

2. Step 2

   Gently open the petals of the flowers and remove the stamens. Spoon the goat's cheese mixture evenly among the flowers. Gently twist to enclose filling.

3. Step 3

   Sift the flour, cornflour and bicarbonate of soda in a medium bowl and make a well in the centre. Add the egg and soda water and use a fork to gently whisk until just combined (do not overmix; the batter should be lumpy).

4. Step 4

   Add enough oil to a large saucepan to reach a depth of 6cm. Place over high heat. (To test when oil is ready, a cube of bread turns golden brown in 10 seconds.)

5. Step 5

   To make the salad, whisk the balsamic vinegar and oil together in a small bowl. Place the rocket and radicchio in a serving bowl and gently toss to combine. Drizzle with the dressing and gently toss to combine. Sprinkle with pine nuts.

6. Step 6

   Place extra flour on a plate. Dip zucchini flowers in the flour to lightly coat. Dip one-quarter of the zucchini flowers, one at a time, into the batter. Shake off any excess. Deep-fry for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown and crisp. Use a slotted spoon to transfer to a plate lined with paper towel. Repeat in 3 more batches with remaining zucchini flowers.

7. Step 7

   Arrange zucchini flowers on a serving plate. Serve immediately with radicchio and rocket salad.