Taste test proves positive for Provamel

When I heard that Provamel were planning to improve their chocolate and vanilla soya desserts, I was immediately suspicious. I always keep a few of these delectable treats in the fridge, either for a quick dessert or just for an occasional snack. As well as having a lovely creamy taste, they boast excellent health and allergen-free credentials. So why mess around with a product which is already so good?

In fact, I needn't have worried. The new desserts appeared in my local health food shop this week, so I decided to conduct a taste test (admittedly, not a particularly scientific one) among myself and some family members. The verdict: the new version is at least as good as the original, and - in the opinion of 50 percent of my testers - noticeably better.

Celebrate the bard's birthday on the 25th January

With Christmas and Hogmanay now out of the way, it's time to look forward to the next great Scottish feast day: 25th January. That's when Scots everywhere honour the "immortal memory" of the national poet, Robert Burns.

In the past, Burns Night suppers have been a turn-off for vegetarians. But things are changing. Most hotels and restaurants now include veggie options on their Burns Night menus - often featuring the famous vegetarian haggis from Macsween.

Of course, you can also make a vegetarian haggis at home, as this recipe demonstrates.