As this week’s recipe is a risotto it is only fitting that we have a Grated Grano Padano or wedge of Parmigiana Reggiano.

Grated Grana Padano, which is made throughout the Po River Valley in north eastern Italy, made from unpasteurised, semi-skimmed milk and generally aged for two years. At the end of the cheese-making process, Grana Padano develops a firm, thick and deeply straw-coloured rind protecting the fragrant, dry, flaking interior. Grana means “grainy” in Italian, which is reflected in the fine granular texture with an intensely sweet flavour. We have 2 sizes 80g (just enough for this recipe) £1.70, or 140g (perfect for adding to soups and pasta dishes) £2.70 or 

Hand cut 18 month matured Parmigiano-Reggiano which has a stronger, more complex, nuttier and saltier taste than Grana Padano. £7.00 approx 200g

This week both our boxes include all the ingredients (except Parmesan) to make our very popular roasted butternut squash and sage risotto. This  risotto has a delicious creamy texture with a tangy, sweet  flavour, finished with crispy sage leaves. A complete meal for 2 or perfect as a side dish for 4.

We have a choice of cheeses which you can add to your order. Grated Grana Padano, which is made throughout the Po River Valley in north eastern Italy, made from unpasteurised, semi-skimmed milk and generally aged for two years. At the end of the cheese-making process, Grana Padano develops a firm, thick and deeply straw-coloured rind protecting the fragrant, dry, flaking interior. Grana means “grainy” in Italian, which is reflected in the fine granular texture with an intensely sweet flavour. We have 2 sizes 80g (just enough for this recipe) £1.70, or 140g (perfect for adding to soups and pasta dishes) £2.70 or hand cut 18 month matured Parmigiano-Reggiano which has a stronger, more complex, nuttier and saltier taste than Grana Padano. £7.00 approx 200g

We have Portobello mushrooms in our boxes this week, big, bold, and bursting with savoury flavour, these beauties are incredibly versatile and can turn even the simplest meal into something special.

Portobellos are essentially fully grown chestnut mushrooms, with their meaty texture they are perfect for vegetarian meals and their rich, earthy flavour stand up well to bold herbs and spices, and best of all they are quick and easy to cook which make them great for a midweek meal

Here are a few delicious ideas to get you inspired

Stuffed Portobellos – Scoop out the gills, brush with olive oil, and stuff with:

• Garlic, spinach & cream cheese

• Pesto & mozzarella

• Cooked quinoa, roasted veg & herbs

Bake at 180°C for 20 minutes. Done!

Portobello “Burgers”

Marinate caps in olive oil, balsamic, garlic, and thyme. Grill or pan-fry until juicy.

Serve in a bun with roasted peppers, caramelised onions, and a swipe of mayo or chimichurri.

Sliced in Pasta or Risotto

Portobellos shine when sautéed until golden. Try them with:

• Creamy garlic pasta

• Lemon and thyme risotto

• A buttery mushroom stroganoff

Portobello Tacos

Slice thickly, toss with smoked paprika, cumin, lime and salt.

Fry on high heat until caramelised.

Serve in warm tortillas with shredded cabbage, salsa & avocado.

Both boxes include the incredible Moro orange — Sicily’s richest, reddest blood orange. Grown in the volcanic foothills of Mount Etna, their deep crimson colour comes from cold nights and sunny days.

They have a unique berry-like flavour, think raspberry tang, sweet–tart citrus, and a hint of floral notes. They’re also packed with powerful antioxidants and only in season for a short time each winter.

Perfect for fresh juice, salads, desserts, or a zesty spritz.

Taste a little bit of Sicilian sunshine 

Our £15 (ideal for 2/3 people)

Risotto rice (R)

Baking potatoes

Shallots (R)

butternut squash (R)

Portobello mushrooms

Sage (R)

Lettuce

Cherry plum tomatoes

Conference pears

Blood oranges

Lemon 

Braeburn apples

(R) items needed for the recipe

Our £25 box (ideal for a family of 4) contains all of the above in larger quantities plus

Candy crush red grapes

Babyleaf spinach

Large salad tomatoes

Some items may change to bring you what’s best available on the day

Fresh cranberries have arrived, perfect for freezing ready for Christmas £3.20 for 340g fresh from Wisconsin USA, Cranberries are grown on 21,000 acres across 20 counties in Wisconsin. The sand and peat marshes in central and northern Wisconsin create the perfect growing conditions for them. 

We have a delicious very easy Cranberry sauce recipe which can be made and frozen. Just one more Christmas job out of the way.

Cranberries are not just for cranberry sauce, add to cocktails or champagne, delicious in cakes and muffins, add to apple crumble. 

We will also be making our Cranberry Croissants from next week.

Shin Beef and Red Wine Tortelloni – This special  Tortelloni is filled with slow-cooked ox cheek (a premium and lean cut of beef) marinated in red wine and then slowly braised to ensure the most incredible depth of flavour and melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Spinach & Ricotta Ravioli – Spinach & Ricotta Ravioli is the most traditional and well-known Italian variety of ravioli. The delicious and creamy filling is made from scratch in the La Tua’s London kitchen by cooking whole spinach leaves with a bit of garlic and then adding fresh ricotta cheese and Italian grated cheese. This filling is a firm favourite which is only reflected by the number of awards it’s acquired. We suggest serving up with olive oil and Parmigiano Reggiano or gently coating with a Sage Butter Sauce.

Pumpkin & Ricotta Tortelloni -This filling is made by oven-roasting pumpkin, then add delicate ricotta cheese, Italian grated cheese, and a touch of nutmeg. Try this Pumpkin & Ricotta Tortelloni with Village Sage Butter  and Parmigiano Reggiano for a restaurant-quality dining experience! Suitable for vegetarians. Suitable for freezing.

Beetroot & Ricotta Ravioli -The filling is made with fresh beetroot roasted in the oven and mixed with delicious French goats’ cheese in order to achieve a great balanced taste and recreate a traditional British combination in pasta! It also has an intense burgundy color that comes across the pasta to make an amazing presentation! Try it with simple Oil and Parmigiano Reggiano.  A very simple combination that becomes a real treat! Suitable for Vegetarians.