Every morning I nip out to see how my broad beans, runner beans and sweet peas are growing. Even in this cold weather and rain they seem to be creeping and winding themselves up their bamboo tripods. Hopefully the pickings match up to my bumper crop of radishes! (Although we didn’t really get to enjoy these as Cassis, our terrier, flourished on them.)

I have just been introduced to Soil Build (containing a mineral called natural gypsum), which I hope will help with our very sandy soil. It's going to be my first crop and hopefully I will have enough so I can dip the broad bean flowers into a crispy tempura like chef Franck Dangereux from The Foodbarn made me many years ago. I haven't forgotten those crispy little treats dipped into a homemade tomato sauce. Or I could toss some of these emerald jewels into fruity olive oil and shavings of Parmesan.

We still have many days and weeks to go before spring is in the air, but I adore those winter days in Joburg when it's warm enough to sit in the sun to daydream for a few hours. I did this at the weekend in-between eating marrow bones (my once-a-year treat) and shopping at the Woolworths Nicolway store. What really impressed me was the fantastic in-store butchery with fresh ducks, aged rib-eye steaks on the bone, and French-trimmed racks of lamb amongst all the porky things, too.

It wasn't planned, but I had a double-dose of marrow bones, for lunch at The Local Grill in Parktown and later at Turn 'n Tender in Illovo. I think these little discs of deliciousness are so tasty because we know they are really only to be saved for very special occasions.

On Friday look out for my new weekly video spot where I give a round-up of where to eat on the weekend. (See my first episode on breakfasts here.)

Happy eating!
Abigail

Photograph: David Reber