This chicory and potato salad with dolcelatte is one of those dishes where I’m not quite sure if it works or not. I loved it, my Wife hated it. So why not try it and let me know what you think?

The weather this past week has been fantastic, just right for experimenting with some salads. Chicory (otherwise known as endive) is a classic with blue cheese and walnuts, and this is basically just a beefed up version of the same flavours.

The potatoes are served hot; this has the effect of melting the cheese and combining it with the Dijon mustard creating a really distinctive dressing.

I’m a big fan of big flavours. What other ideas do you have for original salads?

Recipe comfortably serves two in man sized portions; four as a starter. Feel free to play around with the ingredients. This salad is also my entry to the great “Weekend Herb Blogging” being held over at Mediterranean Cooking in Alaska.

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I was in Tesco last week when I saw this packet of “Cock Soup” and just couldn’t resist. Yes, its immature, but I’m a guy and that means I laugh at rude words. Sorry about that!

So who fancies some Cock Soup? Nourishing, as it says on the packet; it must be from all the protein. There’s nothing like the real taste of fresh cock when you’re feeling a little empty.

Still, its great marketing. My immaturity meant that I actually paid the 49p to buy this just because it said “cock” on the packet. Damnit!

If you’ve got your own stories about “rude food” I’d love to hear them - leave me a comment!

Asparagus, eggs and parmesan; a classic combination, but what would you make with that little lot?

If you think you could come up with something original, we’d love to hear about it.

We’re running a seasonal food blogging event lasting right through to the end of May; all you have to do is create a recipe using the aforementioned ingredients and email it over to me ( scott [at] realepicurean [dot] com ) before the 31st. Easy!

I’ve said it before, but seasonal food is really where its at for freshness and flavour. Asparagus is king throughout May and has the added benefit of making your wee smell. And who could resist that?

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Haggis is one of those things you either love or you hate. And I’m betting if you hate it, you’ve never really tried it at all, have you? If not, this bite size version is great for winning over haggis virgins just like you.

Here’s something else. When the Scots say “neeps” what they mean is a “turnip” (”tur-neep”. It’s all in the accent!). But what the Scots call a turnip is what the English call a swede - so for a lot of us it’s not a turnip at all. Got that?

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Ever become stuck in a food rut? I know that personally I go through phases; right now I’m in my “stir fried veggies” phase; one that seems to come around every time I gain a few pounds and want to make myself feel healthy again. Still, there’s only so much mixed veg’ and noodles you can eat before you need some inspiration - and that’s why I’m glad this book has come along.

It’s been a while since I’ve been really inspired by a cookbook. Sure, Jamie Oliver’s latest “Jamie at Home” was pretty good, if unoriginal. Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall’s “Fish” was great too, but still didn’t bring really make me itch to get into the kitchen.

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