I picked up this beautiful, scalloped spoon at the weekend from the antique fair in Ilkley. It was £3.00 and I had to find something to stir. Hunger pangs helped me to find inspiration. When I returned home, I set about creating breakfast --- ummmhhh blackberry and cardamom porridge. Will it work?
Read MoreArtichokes in spring
I walked into the greengrocers in Ilkley where I live and saw a basketful of large artichokes from France.Two things caught my eye. Their beautiful mauve, scaly bracts and their size. If artichokes are large their 'hearts' are big enough and nutty enough to stuff and make a satisfying meal. If they are too small I don't really think they are worth bothering with.
Read MoreChard and Parmesan soufflé with a purple and green salad
My front garden has to be cleared for new planting and so I pulled up the last of the rainbow chard and spinach and placed them in my trug. I cut chives, which I swear weren't there a week ago. I found lemon thyme in a pot and some pea shoots which I planted with my three year old next door neighbour Tilly and her mum, Emma. They are now a few inches tall with tendrils that wind around anything close. My trug filled up with possibilities and supper began to look good. It's a hybrid concoction somewhere between a soufflé and a fritatta studded with vegetables and a little cheese.
Read MoreAubergine, quinoa, feta and fresh herbs
This week I heard that I am to continue as a visiting lecturer in nutrition at the Department of Food Science at Leeds University for another three years. Great news as from time to time I need the use my training in nutrition for projects I am working on and I get to use the wonderful university library.
Read MoreThe price to pay for milk that does not cost the earth
When the price of food falls really low I get suspicious. I am even more suspicious when spokesmen from the supermarkets tell us we should be happy about it as Justin King, the Chief Executive of Sainsbury's did on the Today programme last Tuesday morning. Usually price cuts on commodities like bread and milk signal a deterioration in food quality and, or, food trading practices. Somebody or something will be loosing out.
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