• What to do if your Onions and Shallots bolt

  Onions, shallots and garlic are all Alliums and prone to bolting, especially when the weather's cold and wet when it should be warm and sunny! Here's what to do...

• Growing Your Own Onions, Shallots and Spring Onions

  Find out how to grow Onions & Shallots

February

• Prepare Seed Beds for Sowing

  Improve your soil before sowing to get the best crop.

• Start Growing Early Veg

  Achieve earlier crops with fleece or cloches

• Bistro Fishcakes

  The beauty of smoked fish is that a little can go a long way and fish cakes are equally at home as a cosy meal or accompanied by salad leaves as an elegant starter.

• Carrot & Onion Soup

  Whether you are serving a hungry crowd or simply using a glut of vegetables this is a quick, simple soup to prepare.

• Cream of Carrot & Chive Soup

  A light soup which is ideally served as a starter or accompanied by fresh bread for lunch. As a flavour boost, use the cooking juices from a roast chicken, though a good quality stock cube is an acceptable alternative.

• Creamy Spinach Chicken

  Swathed in spinach, mushrooms and cream sauce, this dish is perfect for year round dining - warming yet fresh and light.

• Creamy Sweet Potato Soup

  Make this cream-free but creamy soup, it's bound to be a hit with all ages!

• Fresh Tomato Sauce

  When tomatoes are plentiful, home made tomato sauce is just the ticket. After processing in the food processor, I usually portion, add additional flavourings, such as chilli, smoked paprika, basil or mushrooms then freeze.

• Gratin of Aubergine, Tomato & Red Pepper

  Swathed in freshly grated parmesan cheese this versatile vegetarian dish may be served as a starter or accompaniment: experiment with garlic, chilli and herbs to create your unique flavour.

• Mushroom Risotto

  Use fresh ingredients to create a delicious vegetarian friendly mushroom risotto.

• Mushroom Soup

  Make a delicious mushroom soup. Delicous when served with soft fresh bread as a starter or serve in a larger portion to make a light and healthy lunch.

• Porchini Mushroom Risotto

  Traditionally prepared throughout autumn, I defy anyone to resist this creamy flavour packed risotto.

• Warm Tomato Salad

  A warm and healthy tomato salad, great served in summer months as part of a light supper or is excellently served as a starter with crusty bread.

• Watercress Soup

  A fresh peppery flavour makes Watercress Soup ideal to serve as an elegant starter or together with fresh Walnut Bread Rolls for a warming lunch or supper.

• Beef, Mushroom & Onion Pie

  A delicious and cost effective meal, excellent for pre-preparing for the busy midweek schedule.