In no order whatsoever...

KALE CRISPS

Yes, crisps. These are becoming a very popular snack in the US. As everyone knows, dark green leafy veg are incredibly good for you, and this is a painless way to get another portion. I bought mine ready-made (Happy Kale brand, from Wholefoods) but they're easy to make and I'll certainly be trying it soon. Just cut or tear kale leaves into pieces, drizzle with a little oil and sprinkle with flavouring such as salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, chilli flakes (before or after cooking) and bake in the oven until crispy.

NEW HOB SOUP

Just under two weeks ago, my OH accidentally smashed our ceramic hob into smithereens. You'd think it would be fairly straightforward to buy a new one and get it installed. Ahem. Without reliving the whole stressful saga, it took until this Wednesday before it was wired up. Ten days without a hob. So I celebrated by making soup. I love making soup; I usually do it at least twice a week, so I'd felt deprived. It wasn't a special soup, just the veg in the fridge, so carrot, courgette, mushroom, broccoli and tinned tomatoes. And it was delicious!

FILO TART UP THE BT TOWER, WITH 'THE SELFISH GIANT'

No, 'Selfish Giant' isn't a nickname for my OH, and neither was there a fairytale Goliath popping pastry pieces into my mouth through a window on the 35th floor. To explain, I tucked in to this tart at a preview of 'The Selfish Giant' film last night, which was held in the iconic 60s building. Sometimes, the setting enhances what you're eating, and as I munched on (several) filo tarts filled with creamy, cheesy sun-dried tomatoes, I was walking in a circle admiring the lights of London in Piccadilly Circus, Harrods and the dark swathes of Hyde Park and Green Park. So those tarts tasted particularly fine!

Directed by Clio Barnard, the film is a powerful, harrowing and touching tale of two boys' friendship, families living in poverty, and their not-always-strictly-legal dealings with a scrap merchant. The two stars of the film, newcomers Conner Chapman (as Arbor) and Shaun Thomas (Swifty), are extremely convincing in their roles, and it's hard to believe these were their first parts. It opens in cinemas today but even if you can't make it to any of the London cinemas it's showing in, you can stilll watch it. That's because it's released in association with Curzon Home Cinema, so for £10 (for non-members, £8.50 for members), you can watch it online, from today - much cheaper than a trip to the cinema. Click here to watch 'The Selfish Giant'. Curzon Home Cinema is also available on BT TV as part of an exclusive new deal to bring Curzon content to the homes of BT viewers.

GREEN TOMATO CHUTNEY

Finally, I gave in and accepted that those unripe homegrown tomatoes were never going to ripen. So I made green tomato chutney a couple of weeks ago. Initially it was a bit jarring, with the tang of the vinegar and veg and the sweetness of the sugar and fruit fighting for supremacy on the tongue. However, after a couple of weeks in the fridge, the competiting elements have mellowed and melded, and it's delicious - particlarly on cheese on toast. Try this easy green tomato chutney recipe.

RIOJA

I'm quite seasonal with my wine drinking, and as the days shorten, and the weather gets (slightly) colder, I want red wine. One of my favourites is Rioja, with its rich, dark, spicy, oaky blackcurrantiness, made mainly from Garnacha and Tempranillo grapes. I'll be going home to another glass or two tonight - the perfect end to the working week!

The five best things I ate last time

What have you enjoyed eating or drinking this week?