Water Cress/ Spring

Watercress is related to mustard and is one of the strongest-tasting salad leaves available. It has a pungent, slightly bitter, peppery flavour and is highly nutritious, containing significant amounts of iron, calcium, vitamins A, C and E.

HOW TO GROW

1. Sow watercress seeds into your mug filled with wet compost and gravel for drainage .

2. Cover the cup with a clear plastic bag and place on a windowsill.

3. Once the seeds germinate, remove the bag and start watering.

4. You may want to apply liquid fertiliser, available in most stores.

5. Take cuttings of your watercress and enjoy!

Artichoke and Watercress Linguine

Ingredients

100g watercress

280g jar artichokes in olive oil

60g ricotta

220g dried linguine

Method

Step 1:

Blitz together the watercress, ¾ of the artichokes, the ricotta and 3 tbsp olive oil from the jar, then season to taste.

STEP 2:

Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil and cook the linguine following pack instructions until al dente. Toss the pasta with the watercress pesto along with the remaining artichokes and a ladleful of pasta water. Finish with an extra drizzle of olive oil and black pepper.