Key ingredient

I'm a fan of food ... possibly too much of a fan! I'm also a fan of cooking good food ... again, possibly too much! The subject will no doubt turn up a number of times in my journal.

To kick off, here's one of my vital storecupboard ingredients - smoked paprika (both the hot and sweet versions). A paella isn't the same without it, especially one inspired by the brillient first Moro cookbook. Adding a sprinkle to a tomato based pasta sauce or to a hearty bean soup adds wonderful depth of flavour and colour. And it comes in these cool squat tins too ... prising off the lid with a tea spoon is one of life's little joys!