Winter salad

INGREDIENTS
A head of broccoli
2 or 3 of the best tomatoes you can buy
1 /4 of a red onion
Juice of 1 /2 a lemon
Calon Lan Camelina oil

METHOD
Discard an inch off the bottom of the stalk, cut the rest into florets (not too small), peel any stalk and slice into batons about the size of your little finger. Put in a saucepan, pour over boiling water, salt, bring back to the boil quickly and simmer for 4-5 minutes. Meanwhile slice the red onion (if you don't like onion make sure you cut it large enough to be able to fish out, do not be tempted to leave it out altogether, it is necessary to the flavour of the finished product), cut the tomatoes into chunks. Place both in a salad bowl, drain the broccoli and add this loo, immediately pour over the lemon juice, a sprinkle of salt, some dive oil, and toss. The warm broccoli absorbs some of the dressing and becomes quite delicious. Taste, and balance the seasoning if necessary. Toasted pine nuts are a good addition, and look pretty. This recipe also works well and looks good with lightly cooked shredded savoy cabbage. It goes very well with left over cold turkey, peps up a bought quiche, or on its own with nice crisp bread. MWYNHEWCH!

Every family has its own list of 'must-haves' and traditions. So, to avoid too much extra work, as in years past, here are a few recommendations of some really excellent standbys or gifts for the Christmas season. All these are Welsh products which we have tested and found to be absolutely first class. It is always useful to have a few things in the larder that can be quickly thrown together to make a good and elegant meal, either when you have unexpected guests or are just plain fed up with cooking and washing up! On this last note, the worst of all are those greasy pans after lots of roasting. Just for Christmas day (although it's not really that environmentally friendly) invest in some large foil trays and bin them after use.

ROMY CUISINE, Hay on Wye, 07855 531550
We have long been fans of this company. Their use of local ingredients with a gallic spin is extremely successful. Their ready meals which arrive in a kilner jar containing enough for two could be passed off as home made, richly flavoured and delicious they even went down well with our under age tasters. In the run up to Christmas Romy has fresh foie gras entier delivered every Iwo weeks, price on application: a luxurious starter, or an easy lunch on Christmas day if you are going to have the full works come evening; it makes an interesting change from smoked salmon, serve with good quality toasted brioche, sweet fig relish goes well (available from Foxy's Delicatessen, Penarth - 029 2025 1666) and an interesting sweet wine. They do mail order, but if you are in the vicinity, they are often to be found at local farmers markets, www.romycuisine.co.uk

VICAR'S MILL TROUT FARM, Llandissilio, Pembrokeshire, 01437 563553
Our tasters were unanimous in praise of their smoked trout pate and the smoked fillets, absolutely delicious! Easy for canapes, good as a starter, or for a wonderful sandwich with some cucumber. It might not be picnic weather but one (or some) of these on a long journey is a lot better than a dismal motorway meal. Their smoked fillets make an elegant and easy starter on a bed of lettuce drizzled with horseradish sauce mixed with a bit of single cream. I would rather have this than much of the smoked salmon that is around. They do mail order and will put together gift hampers. If you live in the area, they are often to be found at farmers markets, telephone and find out which and when. Well worth stocking up on. www.welsh-trout.co.uk

CALON LAN FOOD, 01758 612621
This company has a beautifully packaged range of oils, pestos and rubs, which make attractive gifts.
Camelina was cultivated throughout Europe in the bronze age, also by the Romans, no one is quite sure why at some point during the middle ages its production came to a halt. Commonly known as 'gold of pleasure' its sweet scented oil was much prized. High in polyunsaturated fats it is fairly healthy; light with a sweet, slightly nutty flavour that works very well with salads, particularly the one below. It is not suitable for high temperature frying, otherwise treat rather like olive oil. For a stockist near you call the number above, they also do mail order, their full range can be seen on their website.
www.calonlanfood. com

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