Tips of the Month/Recipes of the week

Packed with protein from the chickpeas and lentils, this is an easy soup to make (no blending). Small, brown chickpeas are great in this soup, although any kind will be good. Chickpeas give a satisfying bite so you don’t need bread with this. It’s also completely vegan. If you don’t have passata, simply whizz a
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Roses are one of the UK’s most popular plants. Beautiful roses are a fine addition to any garden. They are exceptionally versatile and can be grown in borders, containers, up trellises and walls, over pergolas, and used as ground cover. On a warm summer’s evening, the perfumed blooms of a rose are wonderfully beguiling. Roses
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This is the perfect recipe to use up your root veggies in a rejuvenating one-pot lunch for chilly days. This is enough for four, so share it, or freeze some for another day. Pearl barley is rich in fibre and filling, with a nutty taste, so you don’t need bread with this unless you have
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We are still in the depths of winter. Most days are cold, wet, windy, and unbearably dreary. If you look outside, your garden is likely to be a soggy wasteland, devoid of colour. In fact, unless the sun pops out, it’s much better to stay indoors! January is one of those months where everyone could
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It may be cold, wet, and miserable outside, but we have plenty of beautiful seasonal plants to brighten up your home this year. Whether you are looking for a stunning poinsettia or cyclamen to add a touch of colour to the kitchen, or a flowering basket gift for a loved one, here are some fabulous
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Feel like eating something lighter after Christmas? This easy soup is refreshing and a great way to use up some vegetables and frozen prawns. Tom Yum paste is made with galangal which is a member of the ginger family; it has an anti-inflammatory effect and is traditionally used to combat nausea (so might be good
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Fancy a change from bubble and squeak? Celeriac is a very useful vegetable; buy one and it lasts for ages in the fridge/larder. You see pots of celeriac salad in France where it is very popular. It’s so easy to make and tastes great with cold meats, pork pies and smoked fish, so ideal for
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Don’t let the stress of preparing for Christmas get you down! Make a batch of these delicious nutritious cookies to keep you fuelled and ready to take on the Christmas rush. Oats release their energy slowly and are rich in vitamin B6 which helps raise your serotonin levels and boost your mood. Pumpkin seeds are
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Beautifully pale yellow and mildy-spiced, this aromatic soup brings the humble cauliflower to life. As part of the cruciferous vegetable family (along with broccoli, brussels sprouts and cabbage) it is rich in disease-fighting sulphurane. Makes 4 bowlfuls 1 tbsp cold-pressed rapeseed oil 1 large onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, crushed 2 tsp mild curry powder
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Autumn always makes us think about baking! A slice of this cake, packed with seeds and fruit, is an option for breakfast as well as an afternoon snack. The seed and grain flour in this recipe contains millet grains and flaxseeds but using all self-raising will work too. Makes about 10 slices 100g butter, softened
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The Great British Public loves a good local farm shop. It’s a chance for everyone to buy their produce direct from growers rather than selecting pre-packaged fruit and vegetables in a sterile supermarket environment. Farm shops are good for everyone, so let’s find out why! Carpenter’s Nursery has been selling fresh fruit and vegetables direct
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Perfect for any day when you know you will need something warming and nutritious to eat at lunchtime. Kids love this too, so it’s a great meal for a packed school lunch in a food flask. Serve with crusty bread to dip in. The butterbeans are a good source of protein, making this more feeling
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