Articles & Recipes

Humans have been cultivating and eating cabbage for thousands of years (cabbage was already in use as both food and medicine by the early Roman period), and in all likelihood we were eating its wild-growing ancestors long before that! It’s hardly surprising; this brilliant brassica is a good source of vitamin K, fibre, potassium and folic acid, and contains useful amounts of calcium, iron, vitamin A and vitamin C, too. These days, a huge variety of cabbage types are available and – because different varieties mature at different times – it’s possible to enjoy fresh cabbage nearly all year round. Drum-headed or loose-leaved, savoy, red or white (confusingly, green cabbage is often referred to as ‘white’), cabbage is a valuable and versatile vegetable. Raw, cooked, pickled and fermented, we’ve always found it to be a great friend in the kitchen.

A fresh cabbage is a thing of joy! Make the most of it by whipping up a crisp, crunchy slaw; shred your chosen cabbage finely, then add whatever shredded fresh veg you like, according to your taste and/or the season (apples, celery, fennel, carrots, radishes, raw beetroots, spring onions, nuts and seeds are all winners as far as we’re concerned). You can finish your slaw with a traditional mayo-based dressing if you like – or why not try whisking together soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, lemon juice and a little runny honey for a lighter, brighter finishing touch?

Don’t be put off by the long list of ingredients – there’s a bit of hob-top cooking here, but the oven does most of the work, and the results are well worth it!

This easy starter is a riff on a much-loved classic, and simply swaps prawns for hard-boiled eggs (handy if you need to accommodate one or two vegetarians at a mainly meat-eating gathering, though it’s worth checking your Worcestershire Sauce is vegetarian). Serves 2.

This tasty vegetarian recipe will make an impressive meat-free centrepiece for your festive table. It’s also pretty versatile – the walnuts can be swapped for other chopped nuts, and thin slices of sweet potato or even carrot would make good alternative toppings. Serves 4-6.

Smoky barbecued aubergines and juicy cherry tomatoes are simply dressed with lemon and balsamic vinegar in this easy, tasty vegetarian salad. We’ve suggested some different cheeses to add, but feel free to experiment – for a vegan version, leave the cheese out altogether and add a handful of toasted pumpkin seeds just before serving. Serves 2 as a main dish or 4 as a side.

Sticky-sweet umami aubergine tastes great when cooked on the BBQ or under the grill! Serves 2 as a main dish or 4 as a side.

It’s difficult to imagine any veggie BBQ spread without halloumi, and for good reason - when it’s cooked right, it’s hard to beat! Firm, flavourful and quick to cook, it’s ready in minutes, so be sure to get the rest of the ingredients prepped and ready to serve before the halloumi hits the grill. Makes 4 burgers.

With so much going on in the taste and texture departments, you’d be forgiven for not realising that this ingenious recipe also happens to be vegan. Serve it with crisp shredded lettuce or a simple cabbage slaw and your favourite pickles – we think our quick-pickled red onions [https://www.greendale.com/blog/posts/2023/06/13/white-fish-shawarma-with-quick-onion-pickle-easy-flatbreads] are especially good. Makes 4 burgers.

Shepherd’s pie, fish pie, bangers & mash… there’s a reason why these dishes are so comforting; mashed potato! Simple, satisfying and tasty, it’s the star of so many of our favourite meals – follow our easy steps to help ensure magnificent mash, every time.

Eaten hot and covered in salt and vinegar from the chippy; enjoyed as a side in pubs and restaurants everywhere; or store-bought and cooked from frozen, it’s fair to say we enjoy a good chip here in the UK! Our easy guide to home-made chips will take you through the steps, with a few extra serving suggestions for a nice finishing touch.

This easy recipe is vegetarian-friendly, no-cook and fuss-free –and did we mention that it also tastes delicious, too? You can vary the nuts and cheese if you like (blue cheese is a delightful option), but do check that the cheese is not made with animal rennet if you need to keep the recipe vegetarian. Makes 16.