You all seem to be such proficient chefs. Well here is a place to share some of that cooking knowledge. Or do you have a cooking problem? Ask away. Jams and chutneys go here too.
Just wondering whats everyones favourite autumn / winter recipes?
would be good to get some ideas to try.
this is one i tried for the first time this week - yummy
Carrot soup
carrots
stock
cream / sour cream
(dont have any scales so a bit vague on measurements )
chop carrots and just cover in saucepan with stock
boil for a long time till they're soft
blend the mixture
just before serving stir in a spoonfull of cream per portion.
M' version of minestone soup. Very seasonal
Good fattie bacon (aka pancetta), rendered in olive oil then add
Celery,Carrot, Onion ,garlic, 2 -3 fresh bayleaves sweat til soft
1cm cubes potato,leek,fine cut cabbage,beans(fresh/frozen or tinned) chicken stock ,spagetti broken into 1 inch pieces, simmer 10 mins until potato and pasta cooked. (can add frozen peas towards end for a sweeter finish)
Serve with a good drizzle of olive oil and plenty of parmasan and fresh ground black pepper,crusty bread hmmm. THink I'll make it tonight.
Restorative soul food
variations add rosemary /parsley or thyme. Any root veg (beetroot excepted for colour reasons) I prefer to use the out side leaves of savoy cabbage, as these are the greenest (and most healthy) and simulate Cavero nero. I finely cut the onion and celery, but leave the carrots as thin rounds or half rounds depending on size as it looks nice and adds chunkiness.
It's not easy being Cheezy
So you know how great Salsify is as a veg, what about Cavero Nero,great leaves all through the winter , then in Spring sprouting broccolli like flowers! Takes up half as much room as broccolli
I have to miss the bread 
