Shimmering green-blue heads, white collars, grey back, the females are brown but share the blue diamond flash under each wing. It is easy to forget or to not notice just how beautiful these birds are.

— Ham in juniper and apple juice with mustard parsnip Mash and why we're rooting for parsnips all the way

As is the dark, cold month of January drags and with everything that is going on in the world, we all definitely need a little cheering up.  The heavy, stodgy, rich food of the festive period might be beginning to weigh down on you.

James Kavanagh and William Murray sort through the spice drawer and come up with some tasty dishes

Kale and sprout salad, lassi and a natural 'detox soup'.

Plus an incredibly easy spiced beef hash to make if you have leftover potatoes too at Christmas

— and here's how to make our bubble & squeak fry-up

— Goose is perfect for smaller families who struggle to finish a turkey

— recipes that use kale in familiar and sometimes unfamiliar ways

This strange-looking vegetable is the prize ingredient in winter's most delicious dinners