With Simon Rhodes, of the Lobster Pot Fishmongers in Wood Street Food Hall

This salty green grass, often called the asparagus of the sea, is found on the shoreline, especially around Norfolk, during the summer.

However we have also farmed samphire all year round coming from France and as far away as Israel.

Lately, however, samphire has been hard to come by because, would you believe it, there is snow in Israel making this salty addition almost impossible to import.

Never fear though, samphire is still available at the Lobster Pot. We also stock pickled samphire. This great accompanyment to fish can be eaten raw or cooked and is simply delicious.

Samphire can be cooked several ways; simply boiled for a few minutes and served with a knob of butter, or my preference, sauted with a good quality olive oil, some butter and black pepper.

Nutritionally, samphire is packed with goodness. It contains vitamins A, B and C and is high in iron, calcium and magnesium, so it must be up there with the superfoods.

It is exremely versatile and makes your salads jump to life. Try making a salad with samphire mixed in with some lettuce leaves, cucumber, tomatoes etc and then add a splash of rice wine vingar, some sushi seasoning and some balsamic dressing along with some chopped coriander leaves.

Then simply poach a salmon portion and serve with the salad. What could be more healthy and delicious at this time of year?

Another suggestion for your January health kick – grill a seasoned sea bass fillet (at the moment we have some cheap wild sea bass on offer) and in a pan simply poach some cherry tomatoes in some chicken stock until they have broken down. Add some cracked black pepper and some dried mixed herbs then add a finley chopped small quantity of chorizo. Add some samphire when the sauce has reduced and thickened, stir well and serve with the cooked sea bass fillet. If you ever want to taste some samphire why not ask us to give you a little to try when at the shop either in Wood Street or at Cobbs Farmshop in Hungerford? We are always delighted to enlighten our customers on new experiences.