About six months ago I joined what is commonly known as a "box scheme". Abel & Cole deliver a box full of seasonal organic vegetables direct to my front door every Tuesday for just £11 a week. It's easy and the veggies taste so much better than the stuff you get in a supermarket.

Since we get whatever is in season, I'm never really sure what's going to arrive until it does. But, I haven't been disappointed yet, and quite often I'll get some foodstuff which I've never even seen before, let alone tasted or would have thought to buy.

This week was my first experience with globe artichokes... I had no idea how to cook or eat them. Luckily, Abel & Cole's website has a recipe section and my girlfriend has also had some experience with the rather complicated method of stripping the leaves with your bottom teeth in order to get to the flesh. Tricky, they are, but tasty too and well worth the extra effort.

In fact, I've upped my order to the next box size up as of next week, as I'm getting through them well before the week's ended. So, if you're interested, then take a look at their website... oh and if you do sign up, mention my name as I'll get a free bottle of wine for the recommendation!