Potatoes

Serves 3

· 450g (1 lb) medium-sized potatoes

· salt

Preheat the oven to 200°C, 400°F or Gas mark 6. Peel the potatoes, then blanch them by plunging them into cold water in a saucepan, together with a stock cube, and bringing to the boil. Drain thoroughly. Lightly scratch the surface of each potato with a fork, and sprinkle lightly with salt. Place on a non-stick baking tray, without fat, in the oven for about 1 hour

Parsnips

Serves 3

· 4-5 medium sized parsnips

· salt

Preheat the oven to 200°C, 400°F or Gas mark 6. Peel the parsnips and cut in half lengthways. Blanch by putting into cold salted water and bringing to the boil. Drain thoroughly and sprinkle lightly with salt. Place on a non-stick baking tray without fat in the oven for about 30 minutes or until the parsnips are soft in the center when pierced with a fork.