Trendy Tenderstem is the talk of the town

Tenderstem is the chic member of the broccoli family. Food fashionistas can be seen munching on the long-stalked trees in the trendiest of establishments, supermarkets grace it with premium packaging (not necessarily a good thing), and we are all being told that if it's not Tenderstem, it's not worth bothering with

Why the hype? Well, in short, Tenderstem broccoli tastes better than normal broccoli. It is more tender (as the name suggests) and its flavour is more closely associated with asparagus. Forget stringy green bits stuck in your teeth as you bravely tackle the old style, tough-textured grass green broccoli, and turn your attention to its Japanese-reared cousin.

Delicious simply steamed as an accompaniment to a main dish, Tenderstem broccoli is a versatile veg that can be incorporated into your meals in a number of ways.

Here are just a few:

• Tenderstem® broccoli and smoked salmon tart
• Warm Tenderstem® broccoli and tarragon chicken salad
• Penne with Tenderstem® broccoli, bacon and creme fraiche
• Tenderstem® broccoli and chilli beef stir-fry
• Tenderstem® broccoli tempura with dipping sauces