Jelly Ear fungi, Auricularia auricula judae, soft, dark, and quietly strange, clinging to old wood through the colder months. Most often found on elder. Long valued in East Asian cooking, they’re often sliced fine and added to soups or stir fries, where they bring texture more than flavour. With such a high water content they have a habit of spitting in a hot pan, so a bit of patience is wise. They’ve also found their way into more unusual preparations, soaked in citrus juic

Spring is in full force in the green lanes here in southern Britain and the weather is really warming up. It's such a change in just a...

There's nothing more uplifting than a stroll in the woods. With the birds singing, and especially when the sun is shining, there's always...