Aggie MacKenzie’s Expert Tips…

OUR HOME AND CONSUMER EXPERT AGGIE MACKENZIE SHARES HER TOP HOUSEHOLD TIPS AND SUGGESTIONS EACH WEEK ■ Brussels sprouts are not just for Christmas! And they’re no longer a bore to prep with this Twist’n Sprout by Chef’n. You simply pierce the stem then twist, which removes the core. Around £5 from good cook shops. ■ A huge amount of heat can be lost through an open fireplace. If you’re not using yours, place a chimney balloon (around £30 from Amazon) inside the hole. It inflates until it shuts out any incoming cold air (or soot) or escaping heat. Remember to remove it before relighting the fire!

■ Next time you’re ovenroasting roastingove nroasting and your tin gets encrusted with burnt-on food, half-fill it with hot soapy water, scrunch up a length of aluminum foil and get to work!