The second recipe by request. This one is a NZ recipe and one which my mother made throughout our childhood (about 30 years ago). Great memories of coming home from school and smelling it cooking before we even got to the door. The driveway was about 1/3 mile long! It comes out a burnt sienna colour...

In response to Chantal's and other requests for this recipe - here 'tis. It is a French Recipe and one which works out perfectly every time. I have only made it with redcurrants though, so would be interested to hear how it turns out if anyone tries it with blackcurrants. 3lbs fresh red/blackcurrant...

Hello Dogijon We planted 3 x Rocket tubers per pot (3 pots), in the greenhouse on 7 March last year - the first time we had tried growing potatoes this way. We harvested 10 weeks from planting (around 20 May). The lowest pot yield was 1.3kg, the highest was 1.8kg. We were so pleased with the results...

We have tried over two years to grow these, with little success. Last year, we lost the plants once planted out - we didn't harden them off properly. The courgette and Crown Prince pumpkins were fine, but we did lost two of the four cucumbers. The year before it took a very long time for the plants ...

Hello Chantal I completely agree with Sanders comment re the dreaded flea beetle, when growing Pak Choi outside. We even tried permanently covering them with fleece cloches, but to no avail. Won't bother with outside crops again. However, we have had fantastic success growing Pak Choi in a growbag i...

Hello Chantal - I will fish the requested recipes out and post them in the next day or two. Will put them individually in 'Recipes' so they are easy to relocate in the event anyone else wants them too.

Hello Chantal - This year I made the following for Christmas presents and they went down exceedingly well. Unsolicited feedback has been enthusiastic - after they had tried them too! Tomato Relish (quite different to chutney) Onion Marmalade Redcurrant Jelly Spiced Runner Bean Pickles (www.deliaonli...

Wellie - The following is a NZ recipe, where kiwifruit jam is regularly made, so there should not be a problem with setting (the addition of lemons helps of course). I have not used kiwifruit this way though, so would be very interested in hearing how you get on should you give it a go. 2 oranges 2 ...

Hello Wellie I have it on good authority (not my own) that the legal position on copying recipes is that is does breach copyright law, irrespective of whether or not the author is credited. In practice, I doubt authors would make a big deal of small scale copying. It is too widespread and fragmented...

I am sure I can reassure also, Sue. Okay on the Christmas stuff (just), but the garden... Never got to prune the 13 espaliered fruit trees which so desperately need it - will do so next year. Need to also; cut back (or out) the blackberries, prepare ground for another 8 or so gooseberry bushes (not ...

I have also tried basil from seed at this cold and dark time of year (two years in a row) and similarly, no success. However, my summer-sown basil is still growing well in its pot on the kitchen windowsill. Perhaps this is the secret - to start it early and then just keep it going? I feed it with Ph...

Hello Molly - fair points you make. However, it is not a free country. The law is parents must ensure children attend school. I do have issues with nannying of the population generally though - just surpised that schools even feel they must take this stance and that parents would want to take their ...

Goodness, this must be a cultural thing. I am from NZ and apart from the real truancy issues, it is rare for parents to even contemplate taking their children out of school in term time, so no need for legislation. The only time my parents ever allowed me off school (apart from illness), was to atte...

Hello Lizzie - I like the sound of that! My father used to do something similar but with bacon, cheese & breadcrumbs (reminds me I must get the recipe from him).

Take one (or more!)freshly picked, intact sweetcorn -leaves and tassles still attached and cook in the microwave on HIGH for 1 1/2 - 3 mins, depending on cob size. Remove and leave to stand for a short time (as they will be very hot), then peel off the unwanted leaves, tassles and stalk. Serve with ...