NORTHERN PLANNER

The easiest of recipes. It’s better than anything you’ll get out of a tin that needs heating up. Fresher, zingier and just more REAL. You need:

Two tins of good quality chopped tomato (no additives please, organic if you can)

A handful of fresh, chopped basil

Juicy clove of garlic, crushed (if you can find smoked garlic than even better)

Put the chopped tomato in a blender and whiz until smooth. Put in a pan with the crushed garlic and half the basil. Heat it gently until it comes to the boil, then throw in the rest of the basil. Done. Serves two.

It’s great with some parmesan grated into it, or even a dollop of creme fraiche. DON’T put the creme fraiche in while it’s bubbling it will curdle and go manky. Just turn it off the heat and wait a couple of secs for the boiling to stop – and stir hard and well.

If you’re feeling racy, you could roast a big punnet of fresh beef tomato chopped into quarters. Just sprinkle it with olive oil and roast at 180% for 20 minutes, or until the edges start to go black. Blend the whole lot. This gives a much deeper flavour, and will have far more nutrients. It just means you have to spend more money and you’ve a roasting tin to wash.