Baked ziti, penne or rigatoni with bacon and roasted aubergine: it does not drown in cheese, there is no tomato sauce, and it is not a million calories like your usual pasta bake.

Magnolias are in full bloom, spring must be on its way! Green things to eat, longer days and more salad than soups. Go picking wild garlic, don't toss new season beet leaves and turn spring cabbage into salads.