Spring cabbage
One of our favorite greens -just lightly
steam then serve with oil or butter and lots of black pepper.
Spring
cabbage
Watercress
Spring means the start of our native
watercress season. Lovely in a salad, delicious in a sandwich with Marmite, and
it makes a very good soup with a little potato and onion.
Watercress
Meat, fish and seafood
Sustainability
It’s the retailers and fishmongers who are
working hard to ensure their fish is being sourced from sustainable fisheries,
so buy from a supplier you trust. The issue of what or what not to eat is a
minefield and changes constantly. But do try to eat more mackerel, herring and
sardines from our native waters. Not only are they good for you – you should
eat one portion of oily fish as one of your two portions of fish a week – but
they’re also in plentiful supply.
Shellfish
Will give you high protein and lots of
lovely zinc to protect the immune system. Mussels are great value and easy to
cook – just sweat off onions and garlic, and add the de-bearded mussels with
a large glass of white wine. Bring to the boil, then cover and leave to steam
open for about ten minutes or so. Scoop out of the pan; strain the cooking
juices through a sieve to lose any grit. Discard any broken or unopened ones.
Rather fab served with oven chips and a green salad for an easy midweek supper.
Shellfish
Oily
fish
From native waters are full of essential
fatty acids, which are good for your skin and a healthy heart. Opt for
sustainable mackerel, salmon and sardines from our native waters.
Oily
fish
Crab
From our native waters simply need a
squeeze of lemon, some wholemeal toast and a green salad – especially
watercress when it’s in season – for a perfect, but simple, lunch. It’s also really
delicious when added to a risotto.
Crab
Pork
Is especially good in the colder months and
still represents excellent value. Just ensure you always buy British pork and
preferably free-range.
British
Pork
Lamb
Is very expensive in early spring, so wait
a little longer If you can’t resist, cook it simply, as young lamb is very
delicate.
Lamb
meat
Seasonal produce
If you love to eat seasonally and buy
organic, why not order a weekly, organic veg box? It’s delivered to your door
and the best schemes have lots of recipe ideas. We like Abel & Cole
(abelandcole.co.uk) who deliver nationwide. Boxes start from £9. Riverford
Organic (riverford.co.uk) also has a reliable nationwide service.