Sage
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Sage has always been one of the great healing herbs: its name comes from the Latin salvere (to save).
Its culinary use is largely despised by the French, but much favoured by the British and Italians. It is a very strongly flavoured herb, so has to be used with caution. It's delicious in stuffings for all poultry and pork and especially good in pork sausages.It is easy to grow, though as with mint there are many varieties. I grow the broad leaf sage. This is a herb that does dry well, without losing much flavour at all.
Serves 2Grilled Polenta with Sage, Parma Ham and Melted Fontina Cheese
Plenty of Italian influence in this wonderfully ingenious recipe…as we all know, ham and cheese are made for each other, so simply add polenta for a quick and easy supper dish.
Serves 3-4Gnocchi with Parma Ham and Sage
You've heard of spaghetti carbonara - well, here's an unusual twist on that Italian classic. All you need is five ready-made ingredients for a supper that has plenty of wow factor!
Serves 4Pork Rissoles with Spiced Apple Sauce
These are essentially pork meatballs, baked in the oven. Another cheap and easy supper dish, they are given a tasty twist with the addition of apple sauce, the perfect accompaniment to any pork dish.
Serves 4Chicken Breasts with Wild Mushroom and Bacon Stuffing and Marsala Sauce
With its porcini mushroom and bacon stuffing and unctuous Marsala sauce, this elegant recipe is perfect for entertaining and, although it looks super-luxurious, it's actually quick and easy to cook.
Makes 24Sausage Rolls with Sage and Onion
There's so much good-quality ready-made pastry in the shops, so you can quickly rustle up these bite-sized sausage rolls for a drinks party. Bet you can't eat just one!
