Fifty years ago few people had even heard of samphire, nowadays it’s become a popular and somewhat ‘cheffy’ ingredient. There are two main species of samphire. Rock samphire (also known as sea fennel), which is harder to find as it grows mainly on hill top crevices. Marsh samphire is (also known as sea asparagus and picklewort) is the most popular and grows plentifully along British coastlines and in salt marshes.

The unique salty flavour and crispy tender texture makes this an ideal accompaniment to fish and shellfish. It is also a good source of vitamin A, C and B. Try using early tender shoots raw in salads. It also goes well with lamb, risottos and stir fries.

Look for firm, vibrant stems and store chilled for 2-3 days, covered with a damp tea towel or kitchen roll for optimum freshness. Rinse in cold water before use. Boil in unsalted water, steam or fry in butter until just tender. 

The traditional samphire season is short (July and August), but some farmers have started picking in May. Early picked fronds tend to be very small and late season they can start to get woody. You can grow your own samphire, but it’s tricky to replicate the natural conditions for best growth.

First published in 1998, it’s now available on Audible. Well narrated by Karl Jenkinson, this book gives a great insight to the life of this man. I read the book twenty five years ago and pleased to have a digital version.

What does it mean to be the Guv’nor?

Being unafraid, committed to defending honour and dealing with toe rags effectively. Growing up in 1960s Britain, the Krays and Richardsons were running the London crime scene and hard men like Lenny McLean were often called upon to do the business.

A man who often put family and friends before himself, knocked out the Mafia’s champion bare knuckle fighter in less than 3 minutes. You will warm to this gentle giant of a man and enjoy his stories of life lived the hard way.

This Willerby Rio (2011) is sited at Sandwich Leisure Park. Conveniently located on the edge of this charming medieval Kent town and just five minutes walk from shops and town centre.

There are oil filled electric radiators in all main rooms and bathroom which mean its nice and snug all year round.

£18,000

For more information, call Stephen or Carole (07788) 215744

🥘  1 wok  🍽 Serves 2  🛒 10 ingredients  ⏱ 25 minutes €6

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts, diced
• 1/2 packet mange tout
• 1 pack ready cooked noodles
• 1 red pepper
• 6 spring onions
• 1/2 pack mushrooms
• 4 tbsp sesame oil
• 4 tbsp honey
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1/2 packet Blue Dragon oyster and spring onion sauce

Step by step:

1. Place the diced chicken in a bowl and add 2 tbsp of sesame oil and tbsp honey 1 tbsp soy sauce. Stir to mix well and leave to marinate for 3 to 4 hours.
2. Thread the chicken onto kebab sticks and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
3. Place them on a baking tray and cook in a hot oven 200C / 180C fan or gas 6 for fifteen minutes. Alternatively use a griddle pan or barbecue.
4. Heat the remaining oil in your wok and stir fry the vegetables for 5 minutes. Add the ready cooked noodles and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes. Stir the sauce with the rest of the honey and soy sauce. Drizzle this over the kebabs and sprinkle some more sesame seeds and serve.

Janet Evanovich fans will be pleased to know the latest Stephanie Plum novel will be published on October 1st 2023

The pace is red hot again as Stephanie is chasing criminals and looking after Bob while Morelli is away. Ranger is close at hand and maybe too close for comfort. Enter Grandma Mazur on overnight stake out duty, what can possibly go wrong?

You can pr-order Dirty Thirty here

3 years on and still going strong…

Being active before lockdown, I found it very difficult to be told to stay indoors and not go out, even for exercise.

I found the Joe Wicks exercise routines fun and easy to fit into the day without feeling out of breath or aching the next day. Then I joined the Joe Wicks programme called the 90 day plan and I’m still using it today. Some of the workouts are challenging but I get through them and always feel better for it. The recipes are yummy too!

I am lucky to live in a mountainous region of Spain and 15,000 steps is a great start to the day. A good workout helps my mental wellbeing as much as my physical fitness.

With two children and a demanding job, the great thing about the 90 day plan is I can fit the exercise routine in around school runs and appointments.

Anyway, it’s been three years of getting up and doing it and I feel fit, healthy, strong and small issues don’t bother me like they used too. It’s definitely helped my confidence and got me back to feeling like me again. Having 2 babies in Spain and learning another language was a struggle and following the Joe Wicks programme has helped me through.

This is a delicious petit four using not too much sugar. Easy to make and it keeps for up to a week in the refrigerator.

Ingredients:

• 125g plain dark chocolate chopped
• 90g stoned dates, finely chopped
• 60g pecans finely chopped
• 90g caster sugar
• 90g butter
• 30g rice breakfast cereal
• 45g coconut

Step by step:

1. Line a 27cm x 18cm tin with greased, grease proof paper, or greased tinfoil.

2. Melt the chocolate in a bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, stir until smooth and spread over the greaseproof paper or tin foil and leave to partially set.

3. Heat the dates, nuts, sugar and butter in a small saucepan until the butter is hot, stirring occasionally. Then combine the rice cereal and coconut in a large bowl, stir in the date mixture and mix well.

4. Spread the mixture on the partially set chocolate base. Spread and flatten the mixture firmly so it holds together.

5. Chill until set. Invert and remove the greaseproof paper or tin foil, then invert again so the rice topping is uppermost. Cut what is needed into strips. Cover and store the remainder in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.