As I sit here writing this, my toes feel like icicles and I can hear the wind howling outside. Baby it's cold outside! I could write a song.....! Winter produce is so comforting on a day like today. Root vegetables such as parsnips, carrots, onions, fennel, beetroot and potato all roasted together with stalks of fresh thyme and heads of Australian garlic is a winter's delight. Cauliflower is at its best - choose heads which are tight and white. Turn it into puree, gratin, soup, fritters or simply steamed with Asian greens. Cabbage is so tasty right now and perfect for slicing and adding to soups or braising with bacon and celery. Those knobbly Jerusalem artichokes - although they can be a little socially unfriendly, are delicious cooked in virtually any way you would cook a potato. Try them roasted, fried, boiled and mashed and keep their skins on for extra flavour and goodness.

The winter fruits are all perfect to cook and warm us through. The fabulous quince which with a little patience, can be poached into a heavenly, richly flavoured dish. Once you have peeled and trimmed them, include the skin and cores in the saucepan for a deeper colour. Oh for the cosy aromatic smell of rhubarb and apple cooking on the stove and pears baking in the oven. Yes, life is good.....even if my toes are freezing!