Sock Hound

My four-footed nephew Bailey is a sock hound. Given the run of my house his main aim in life is to get into my bedroom and root around until he finds a sock. He then nonchalantly trots back with the sock in his mouth like butter wouldn't melt.

If you try to get the sock from him he bounds off, sock still in mouth, delighted that the trick has worked and you are chasing him. The only way to retrieve the sock is to wait until he drops it, usually a bit grubbier but not damaged.

The thing that amazes me, given the usual state of my bedroom and the many more noxious things he could pick up - why socks?

Gratine

Always on the lookout for things to cook during the week that are tasty, interesting, nourishing and will do for more than one meal - this week, inspired by the beautiful white curds of a cauliflower from Morrisons and a small butternut squash, 49p from Lidl, I made a gratine.

I steamed the vegetables for 5 minutes and put them in an oblong dish then I made a thick white sauce with butter, skimmed milk, mustard powder and a big grating of nutmeg (plus s & p), there was about 3/4 pint of sauce. This was poured on top of the veg and topped with wholemeal bread crumbs from the freezer (home made, a good use for left over bread) and a couple of handfuls of Davidstow cheddar.* In a gas mark 4 oven for 30 mins.

I ate it with an experimental nut roast made from a packet - Granose, 2 for £2 in Morrisons (the other is Felafel's). Very tasty and very satisfying and it tasted equally good the next day heated in the microwave.

Butternut squash is wonderful. I don't buy them often because my food miles scruples won't allow it - they are from a variety of countries, some half way round the world, but I always enjoy them when I do. Whilst I wait for their harvest to move closed to England (as it does this time of year) I need to experiment with English varieties to find an equivalent texture and taste. But having said that, even I will put aside my scruples when faced with a box each the size of a large grapefruit and 49p!

* Davidstow cheddar is my favorite supermarket cheese. Its a strong cheddar that does not bite back but has bags of flavour and a lovely chalky 'bite'.