Chestnuts

You can usually only buy chestnuts in the weeks leading up to Christmas; but this recipe of my mother's enables you to have them all the year round. Do it as soon as you can after buying the chestnuts, or they will dry out.

Taking the chestnuts in small batches, cut a wide, deep cross into each pointed end. Place them in a bowl with a little water, and microwave. I find that about 2 minutes 45 seconds is enough for 4 large chestnuts. You will find that the shells have partially peeled back and it is not too difficult to peel them off completely. Do this straight after removing them from the microwave, but beware of scalding your fingers! There may be some of the brown inner skin still remaining, but this doesn't matter: it can be scratched off later if required. Repeat until all the chestnuts are done. Do not let the water in the bowl boil dry, or the chestnuts will bake hard and become inedible.
    When the chestnuts have cooled, try biting one to see if they are soft enough to eat. If not, they may require another minute in the microwave.
    The chestnuts can now be eaten, or used in cooking. Put them in the freezer in a sealed plastic bag and they will keep indefinitely! 

Bean casserole made easy

This is my mother's recipe. It looks a rather muddy mess, but is actually very tasty!

Serves 2 good helpings

400 gm tin of butter-beans
400 gm tin of tomatoes
8 or more dried apricots
1 onion, grated or chopped
2 bay-leaves
1 full teaspoon of Marmite
Salt and pepper

Mix all the ingredients together the night before, cover and leave to stand, so that the apricots can absorb the flavour. Add more liquid the next day if necessary. Cook in the oven for one hour at 180 degrees.

A great pick-me-up!

This is my mother's remedy for anyone feeling slightly under the weather.

A glass of cold orange juice
One uncooked fresh egg
Two teaspoons of brown sugar

Whisk together until the egg and sugar are completely stirred into the orange juice, and drink immediately.

Some might object that it's not fully vegetarian. It's certainly not vegan, but it's highly nutritious (practically a complete meal in itself) and guaranteed to make you feel better!

Breakfast

This is my mother's recipe for a good healthy breakfast. It is essentially a fresh, do-it-yourself muesli, but she was making it long before anyone in England had heard of muesli!

One large cooking apple, preferably Bramley; grated
Two handfuls of sultanas or raisins
Two handfuls of cashew nuts; grated fine
One tablespoon of runny honey
A good splash of orange juice or lime juice

Grate the apple into a bowl, then add the grated cashew nuts and other ingredients. Stir well. It can be prepared the night before, in which case cover the bowl with cling-film and leave in the fridge. It will keep for 2 days.

This is enough for 4. Because it has a strong flavour, serve each helping with an equal quantity of oats, plus milk, and cream or yoghurt to taste.