Always shop with the seasons – cheaper and tastier
When I was a boy, food was far more seasonal than it is today. Nowadays, we’ve got used to having ingredients available all year round. So, why eat seasonally? Well, food in season simply tastes better and, also, costs less. Every year, I look forward to eating seasonal treats such as British asparagus in late spring or early summer, soft fruit like strawberries during the summer and British apples and wild mushrooms in the autumn. I like the sense of anticipation this brings.
Traditional food markets and farmers’ markets, which promote locally-produced food, are good places for seasonal food shopping. Whenever a fruit or vegetable is in season, there’ll be lots of it on offer in the markets – and at great, competitive prices too.
One of the simplest way of shopping seasonally is to sign up to a locally-grown or organic veg box scheme. This means that you sign up to get a regular delivery of fresh vegetables delivered to your door, with contents changing through the seasons. Winter sees winter roots – like parsnips, celeriac and swede – while the summer months bring tender, young salad leaves and juicy tomatoes.
Adjust your cooking to the season. If you’re short of ideas, have a look through my recipes for inspiration. Make hearty stews, soups and bakes, such as my Lamb Shanks Stockpot Casserole, in the cold winter months. Enjoy simple salads, grilled fish or grilled vegetables in the summer. A dish like my Sea Bream with Cherry Tomatoes, Lemon, Capers and Olives is perfect food for a summer’s day.
