February is still the season of leafy greens and root vegetables with onions, leeks, spring and winter cabbages, kale and brussel. Parsnips, carrots and artichokes. Then there is celery, swede, potatoes and shallots too. All of which make great meals such as sensational soups, gratins and even bubble & squeak for instance.

Game as I have mentioned previously is growing in popularity being offered in many good butchers and farm shops now and goose and guinea fowl are still available along with venison and hare. Various seafoods are in season like crab, cod and its alternatives, along with cockles & mussels and Halibut.

If your not sure always ask but a good butchers, farm shop, farmers market, delicatessen etc will always show produce in season at the time and by buying in season you not only gain in the pocket by buying when these produces are at their most economic but also when they are more nutrious for you too.

The chinese believe that mother nature produces seasonal foods as a way of produces such items that we need during this period of the year and by eatting according to the season as many of our grandparents did you body gets exactly what it needs in order to get through to the next season in tip top condition.  There is definitely some logic in this!

Try this great warmer and filling Potato Soup which my boys & men love:

100g pork belly cut into strips, 1 onion and 1 leek chopped, 450g floury potatoes cubed (like king edward or maris piper), 1.2 litres good homemade chicken stock, 1 bay leaf, 55g parsley, seasoning and 3 tblsp double cream ( of your choice).

Fry your pork belly strips over a medium heat with out any fat until brown and crispy. Stir in the onion & leek and cook for 1 minute then add your potatoes and cook for 5 minutes. Pour in your stock, add the bay leaf, parsley and seasoning and bring to the boil then reduce to a simmer cover and cook for 15 to 20 minutes until the vegetables are just breaking up. Lift out the pork & bay leaf and puree the vegetables until smooth with a hand held blender. 

For a great hand blender to use with your home kitchen if your on a budget and need something that does the job you cannot fo wrong with the Kuhn Rikon Hand Blender not only is this blender at a great price but you get 300w of high power motor, 2 speeds and a measuring cup and chopping container. You also get a whisk attachment and stainless steel rod and blade for a great kitchen gadget which you will use over and over again.

 Reheat the soup gently adding back the pork and stir in the cream. Serve with a sprinkling of parsley and fresh home baked bread.

What seasonal produce have you been using during February? why not tell me about one of your seasonal recipes and if you would like me to details more seasonal recipes for you?