Pork Burger

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 use-by date.
• The Health Protection Agency recommends buying Lion branded eggs, which come from vaccinated hens and are therefore less likely to contain salmonella

To keep cut parsley or coriander, put in a hole free polythene bag with a couple of tablespoons of cold water, give the bag a good shake and keep in the salad drawer of the fridge. Herbs should keep for a week like this.

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