A Year in my Fenland Kitchen

The weather has a feel of Spring here today and the evenings are gradually lengthening, so here's a grain based salad, hearty enough for a February supper, but also light enough to make a lovely lunch as the weather warms up. It uses bulgur wheat, a wholegrain, rich in minerals, vitamins and fibre, which also happens to be easy to cook. I've topped the bulgur wheat with prawns, but alternatives, such as cooked chicken, feta cheese or roasted vegetables would be delicious too. The dressing uses fresh pesto, a fave of mine at the moment. I used bought pesto for ease and convenience, but do try to get fresh from the fridge section of the supermarket, as I think the taste is infinitely better than the version that comes in jars. The full recipe is below should you wish to try it. Happy cooking! Speak soon. Annie x

 My first cup of coffee of the day is always instant coffee from a jar: kettle hastily boiled, powder spooned into cup, a quick stir and a splash of milk. And always in the same special cup; a handmade mug with cheerful red spots bought from a lovely shop in Cambridge. It's a drink to be sipped quickly, as I feed the cat, load the washing machine and wipe down the worktop. Later in the morning is the time to enjoy a more leisurely cup, either sitting in a favourite café, indulging in some people watching or at home, sitting cosily at the table, flicking through a magazine or reading a few pages of a book. But a cup of coffee ( or tea, if that is your preference) invariably tastes better with a piece of cake! Years ago, I might have chosen a slice of something rich and creamy, but nowadays, I prefer my cake to be plain: rich with nuts and fruit rather than buttercream....wholesome even! I like to think the following recipe for a date and walnut loaf is relatively healthy, at least f