Garlic is the cornerstone of great cooking. It brings out natural flavours and adds character to a dish.

To buy the best garlic:
> Garlic should feel firm.
> Look for garlic cloves that are plump with unbroken skin.
> Avoid garlic that is sprouting.

To store your garlic in the best conditions:
> Garlic can keep from a couple of weeks to a couple of months depending on storage.
> For best results store in a loosely covered container in a cool dark place.
> Breaking the head will dramatically reduce garlic shelf life.
> Never store garlic in oil at room temperature – it can cause a poisonous reaction.

Also known as scallions or green onions, these have a milder taste than their larger brown cousins. Often diced and used with noodles, soups, seafood and as a garnish. Remove the white bulb and use only the darker green hollow stem.

Commonly used as a herb to enhance flavours of sauces and stews, parsley is also a great added crunch to salads in whole sprigs.

An egg shaped fruit commonly used as a spread or sliced to add to salad. Rich in Omega-3 fats and vitamin B make sure when buying avocados to check they are not too soft or firm.