The major themes in Francesca Lia Block's books include the necessity of love and the acceptance of and celebration of racial and sexual difference.

Then she saw her first can of pomodoros, pear-shaped tomatoes grown and packed in Italy. She took a can home, and she was sure that pomodoros had more tang than our native tomatoes.

Another great supper, or undermeal, was made ready for them, coming home from ditching and plowing.

Christmas queen Mary Berry's aubergine five-nut roast, from her Christmas Collection, is, as the name suggests, rather more focused on the nut side of things. Breadcrumbs play second fiddle to a medley of almonds, Brazils, chestnuts, pine nuts and pistachios which, although tangy with lemon juice and garlic, is outrageously dense. A single slice of this could leave you supine in front of the Queen's speech without even the wherewithal to reach for the remote control.