Life

What is it about tripe that has people who have never even tried it turning up their noses? Tripe is up there with snails, frogs' legs and edible insects as a food which is adored by some but which disgusts others.

"Treats from Little and Friday" a recipe book in which Kim Evans shares all her delicious baking secrets is out just in time for the school holidays.

We were enjoying dinner with friends a few weekends ago when the conversation turned, as it nearly always does with me, to food and someone asked me what my top ten cookbooks were

Surely there can be no more versatile fruit (or vegetable) than the golden-fleshed pumpkin. This jewel of autumn can be prepared, cooked and served in so many ways but my favourite remains… pumpkin soup.

Autumn has always been my favourite season. It is a soft and sophisticated season, golden and mature, with none of the brashness of summer; it has a richness no other season can boast.

There comes a time in every parents' or grandparents' lives where they feel they need to have the dreaded 'talk' with their teen. Don't be alarmed! Let me let you in on a couple of pointers to help you get through this time.

Neville stirred weird ingredients like xanthum gum, jam setting mix, no egg replacer and tapioca flour into a large mixer. Could this concoction really be transformed into a tasty gluten free focaccia bread as promised?

It only happens once a year and this year I missed it…Mardi Gras… Shrove Tuesday… Pancake Day! Never mind, I'm happy to enjoy pancakes any day of the year.

In 1840 Anna, wife of the seventh Duke of Bedford established the practice of afternoon tea to fill the gap between light luncheon and late dinner, a practice which soon became an English tradition, now celebrated all over the world.

I think I am becoming a Grumpy Old Man… Donna says I have been one for years… but I am reduced to speechless Mr Meldrew-like disbelief at the thoughtless way some people behave in large supermarkets. I was debating either to abandon my wheels and shoppin