Venison Burgers, Chips and Purple Sprouting

It was a picturesque morning when I hopped on the bicycle and cycled to the farmers' market. On setting off I was very pleased with myself for saving the planet and burning calories at the same time. The sun was shining, the birds were singing and I was thoroughly convinced I was the modern day Snow White. It wasn't particularly far or mountainous but to say I arrived less than glamorous and somewhat flustered would be an understatement. Let's just say there was a bumble bee that seemed certain its hive was my nostril. 

After the herculean exercise regime I had been through that morning you can understand why I chomped my way through a sausage roll immediately on arrival. This, several servings of chutney on crackers and some coffee allowed me to peruse the market without fear of fainting. Good job too as I got myself 1lb of venison mince and some purple sprouting broccoli. The mince was £2 and a bagful of broccoli was 95p. Absolute bargain. 

Aubergine Curry

Every time I have attempted to make a curry I have always been disappointed. I had almost given up when I got a craving for aubergines and a desire for spice. This turned out to be a subtle and fragrant stew rather than a powerful and punchy dish.

At the market there is a kind man who sells all the spices you could ever need. I purchased what I knew; coriander, cardamom, cumin, mustard and turmeric. I have since been back and purchased an awful lot more.

Panettone and Marmalade Bread and Butter Pudding

There are some things that are tasty on their own but become even more so when transformed into a soft, squidgy, sumptuous (and very traditional) bread and butter pudding. This wonderful celebration of stale bread is one of my favourite puddings. It is exactly what you want from a pudding; sweet, light but also filling, warm and most importantly delicious. I think to describe it as stodgy is highly unfair.