There's an alien in my veg box.

Veg Box Wednesday! Romanesco cauliflower, aubergine, round lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, potatoes and broccoli.

No no no, it's not an invasion. Put away your tin foil hat. Romanesco is a beautiful member of the cauliflower family. Use in the same way as you would it's more rounded cousin. I think we will be having a very sophisticated cauliflower cheese this week. Often the simple things are the best.

It's been unintentional veggie week so far. Last night we ate crispy polenta with baked mushrooms and leeks with the horribly named but deliciously tasting Not Just a Pasta Cheese from Sussex. This was based very loosely on Valentine Warner's  Polenta and Girolles from What To Eat Now. His version is much nicer. 

May I recommend grilling not frying your polenta. Spitty. Ouch. Hence the tea towel splash guard.

The alligator pear has finally ripened two whole weeks after it arrived. It was promptly beaten into submission guacamole style with lime juice, a little garlic, salt and Tabasco.

Served with fajitas made with red pepper, onion, Quorn mince (needed using...) and Discovery Fajita Seasoning. I know I could blend my own fajita spices but, like Heinz Ketchup, it just won't taste quite the same.

The round lettuce fresh from the box was put to good use today along with jar of pickled jalapenos that my Grandmother bought me for Christmas. Well done Nan.

Also served with crème fraîche (it's what I had in the fridge, think outside the box) and strong cheese. And a compulsory roll of kitchen towel.

I do own Elisabeth Luard's The Latin American Kitchen and I fully intend to venture out of the realms of fajitas and chilli so watch this space.

Book links are bought to you today by Waterstones. Sad news about the closures. No, they are not always as cheap as the leading online book retailer but you can't beat them for helpful, friendly, often fabulously quirky staff. Buy more books please.