A shred of hope....

When I put on weight, I can stand to go near the scales. I put it off and putt it off until I eventually climb on and it's usually not as bad as I think it will be. This week I braced myself and headed back to the allotment after turning my back on it for a few weeks.

The vegetables I planted back in July have survived well without my weeding and watering. And I came home with this....

I also bought how armfuls of bluey green cavolo nero leaves. They are fantastically delicious. This is great with partridge or duck.

Cavolo Nero with honey toasted hazelnuts (serves 4)

4 big handfuls of cavolo nero

a knob of butter

1 handful hazelnuts

1 tbsp honey

1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

1 pinch salt

Shred the cavolo nero into thin strips with a sharp knife. Melt the butter in a pan and add the cabbage.

This will take only a couple of minutes. It will transform the bluey green leaves, turning them a vibrant emerald. In a pan toast the hazelnuts. As they start to toast add a tbsp of honey and mix through.

Add to the cavolo nero and stir through. Add the vinegar and salt and serve.