The forced endive, a pleasant feature of the French table, is an easy enough thing to achieve over here. Grow a suitable cultivar from seed in the kitchen garden, then lift a few plants around now, pushing them into a big pot of damp compost, and cut the green tops off, leaving an inch proud. Invert a pot on top, block the drainage hole with a slate, put it in a cellar or cool shed, and wait. In a month, pale, firm and shapely cones will arise. Cut, chop, apply a vinaigrette dressing and sprinkle with walnuts. Simple and lovely.
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Dawn Chorus: A Blue Plaque for Marc Bolan, holidaying in the Caribbean with Francis Ford Coppola and a history of the National Gallery in 25 picturesPlus the best of the property pages, and how the railways will save the countryside.
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Game, set, match: 12 of the world’s most beautiful tennis courtsFrom Italy to Indonesia, when it comes to hotel amenities, a picturesque tennis court will always trump a 24-hour gym. So, before you book your next holiday, take a look at our pick of the 12 best.
