In no order whatsoever:

Artichokes from my allotment: I can't really take the credit for these; the plants were there when we took over the plot. Last year's crop were vile: too bitter to be edible. But this year, oh wow! Boiled then served simply with some lemon mayonnaise. Delicious!

Orzotto: That's not my terrible typing of 'risotto'; it's Italian for barley risotto. I can't remember where I got the idea from but if you like the bouncy, resilient texture of barley, I'd recommend trying it. It's less faff than classic risotto, as you can add the liquid all at once. For generous portions for two people, you'll need 200g barley. Start as for risotto: fry chopped onion and garlic in olive oil until soft and golden, then add the veg (I'm sure some pancetta or bacon would be tasty too). I've made leek and mushroom orzotto and broad bean orzotto. Pour in enough stock to cover, bring to a boil then simmer for about 20 mins, keeping an eye on the liquid level, and having an experimental bite of the barley now and then. Season and serve with grated cheese if you like.

Doughnut peaches: The last 'normal' peach I had wasn't worth eating: woolly, soggy flesh. The paper bag of doughnut peaches (above) I bought from Norm the greengrocer in Berwick Street market, down the road from the office, were deliciously different: ripe, yielding flesh, peachy perfume taste and enough juice to drip down my chin.

Warburton's Sour Cream & Chive Baked Pitta Chips: I love sour cream and chive as a flavour, and these little triangles of oven-baked pitta bread taste good, and they're unbelievably crunchy!

Elephant garlic: It's MASSIVE! One clove is about the size of half a head of normal garlic. As it's actually a variant of the leek species, it's technically not garlic, but it tastes like it... I roasted a few cloves and squeezed onto butternut squash. Gorgeous!

The five best things I ate last week

What have you enjoyed eating or drinking this week, at home or on holiday?