There is really nothing as soothing, reassuring or comforting in the realm of cooking and eating than a good chicken stock. It forms the base to all of the best soups, broths and gravies, can be used to give pasta dishes more depth and is the essential ingredient that will make or break a really good risotto.

THERE is more and more research surfacing which highlights the benefits of introducing more fermented foods into our diets.

FERMENTATION, the hottest ‘new’ trend in food for the past few years is gradually becoming mainstream as the word gets out that fermented foods are one of the easiest ways to enhance our gut flora.