Chestnut, Apricot and Sausage Stuffing

Easy spread butter is ideal for sandwiches and toast.

• They are a healthy snack on their own or with nuts. They also work well for fruitcakes and Christmas pudding, biscuits and buns.
• When re-hydrated in water, tea or alcohol they can be added to mousses, fools and ice creams.
• Their natural sweetness works well with Indian and North African recipes.
• Keep the fruits fresher by resealing them with bag clips or transfer them to airtight containers.

Dry slices of white or wholemeal bread on a flat baking sheet in the oven – just pop them in when (or immediately after) something else is cooking. Leave to dry until completely crisp, when they will snap in half easily. Cool completely and whiz in a food processor or blender. Store in a freezer bag.

• Keep eggs in the fridge in their box and never eat them after their best before date.
• The Health Protection Agency recommends buying Lion branded eggs, which come from vaccinated hens and are therefore less likely to contain salmonella

Sea salt’s pronounced and salty flavour means less is required to season food.

• Although it might seem odd, grinding black pepper over a bowl of strawberries enhances the flavour of the fruit.
• Pepper that is pre-ground is not fresh tasting and often has other ingredients mixed in.
• Choose the type of mill that suits you, and if you want coarser pepper you can loosen the screw on the top of the mill or crush the seeds in a pestle and mortar