It's easy to get too bogged down into the current doom and gloom that seems to dominate the news headlines these days. Think about it too much, and you can't snap out of it. I spoke about this a couple of weeks back - miserabilism I called it - and it...

One of my very favourite vegetables in this season of great produce is the pumpkin. Most families around the country will soon be carving faces into them, sticking a candle inside and wandering the dark streets in an attempt to get a few sweets from...

Lets face it, the seasons just aren't the seasons any more. After the wettest August for some years, September has continued in a similar vain. As I look out of my window at another overcast sky, it is easy to get down about the whole thing.

The return from holiday is always an odd experience if you are British. If you have been to sunnier climates, you will know very well that sinking feeling as the aeroplane descends into your airport, especially if it is British summer time. From a we...

I have to make an apology to the people of the North East. After opening my big mouth earlier this week to say how deliciously hot it has been up here of late, it is safe to say that the heavens have indeed been open ever since.

Hallow’s Eve is almost here and little ones up and down the land are getting excited at the prospect of free food in exchange for a fright. Like any annual event in the calendar it is a great opportunity to have a party and as it is a child friendly...

Autumn is well and truly here and you don’t have to look too hard around the hedgerows of the United Kingdom at this time of the year to find some free food. It is such a great season for getting out with your children and doing a bit of food...

Last week's wild fruit horde was sweeter than ever for the simple reason that we brought home a huge amount of that acrid berry, the sloe. Sloes are only really good for one thing and that is plonked in a jar or a bottle with a load of sugar and...

A day of plundering this weekend, and what a plunder it turned out to be. We sneaked over to our 'secret' sloe berry location anticipating disappointment after last year's wash out. And there before our eyes were bush after bush of the acrid berry that...

The use of nuts in stews, casseroles and curries may seem unusual to some. However in West Africa, curries made using the peanut are common staple food. I've used the likes of ground almonds in an Indian curry to thicken it but I was a little...