A number of varieties exist including sweet and Thai basil. Generally used fresh in Italian and Asian dishes.

Bought in wheels or tubs, ricotta cheese is an Italian whey cheese, a by-product of milk making cheese rather than whole milk. Fresh, creamy and typically lower in fat than milk-based cheese.

Available in many varieties including Regiano and Grana Padano, this hard cow's milk cheese is sharp and often served grated.

Processed from ripened olives, the extra virgin oil type is taken from the first press and does not have as pungent flavours as straight olive oil.

Delicious in salads when raw, cooked spinach is a quick and simple side dish.

When buying fresh spinach look for:
> Leaves that are crisp and dark green.
> Avoid leaves with yellow spots or ones that feel slimy.
> Wilted leaves have already passed their prime.

To store your spinach make sure you:
> Store it in a plastic bag in the fridge.
> Do not wash spinach leaves before storing
> Spinach can keep for three to four days.

There are a number of different types of spinach including:
> Savoy
Your garden-variety spinach, this is a good all rounder and can be added to salads as well as cooked.
> Flat
Smooth leaves makes this variety of spinach easier to clean, it’s often used in canned and frozen spinach.
> Semi-Savoy
A hybrid variety, Semi-Savoy has the same texture and flavour as Savoy but the leaves are smoother.