We all want tasty food that’s good for us. Key to that is ensuring we eat our daily intake of fruit and vegetables. Yet most of us aren’t even getting half the fruit and veg we need in a day.

Author Rachel de Thample at the launch of her book Five in Upper Norwood this week

Now, local author and cookery writer Rachel de Thample has written Five, offering 150 easy, flavoursome recipes that will boost your daily intake of fruit and vegetables.

The book was launched on Thursday at Book Seller Crow on Westow Street in Upper Norwood.

De Thample is one of the founders of Crystal Palace Transition Town’s food market on Haynes Lane, and with friends and neighbours she also instigated the Edible Garden in Westow Park.

De Thample has worked in the kitchens of Marco Pierre White, Heston Blumenthal and Peter Gordon. She is the author of Less Meat, More Veg, was commissioning editor of Waitrose Food Illustrated for five years and is the food editor for the organic box scheme Abel & Cole, where she writes weekly seasonal recipes.

BBC Good Food magazine has described de Thample’s latest book as “an absolute treasure trove. Not entirely vegetarian (although there are lots of veggie ideas), her imaginative sweet and savoury meals pack in the fruit and veg”.

De Thample’s inspirational book includes dishes such as Fig, Almond and Orange Blossom Water Muffins, Moroccan Beetroot Soup, Wild Spring Spaghetti and Carrot Cake Scones, as well as themed and seasonal menu suggestions. Whatever you choose to eat, each dish is clearly flagged with the number of portions of fruit and veg each serving contains – some even offer a full five portions. So you always know you’re eating healthily.

• To buy the book, visit the Bookseller Crow, or order online here

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