10 THINGS TO DO THIS MONTH

The Good Food Team shares their kitchen to-do list, plus Emma Crawforth from BBC Gardeners’ World on what to plant

1 SUPPORT OUR ORCHARDS ENJOY BRITISH APPLES

Now’s the time for British apples, so seek them out at farmers’ markets or visit an orchard – these will often offer much more than just apples. Look out for eating apples such as Pearmain, Egremont Russet, Golden Pippin, Herring’s Pippin and Laxton’s Reward. Buying tip: rather than looking for perfect, unblemished apples, choose ones with a bit of scarring. These will be the sweetest, as the scar is from the leaves rubbing against the fruit as it forms – this only happens on the outside of the tree, which gets the most sunshine.

2 MAKE A SHOPPING LIST ESSENTIAL BUYS FOR OCTOBER

• Invest in a cast-iron pot If you haven’t invested in one yet, this is the right time of year to do it. Think ahead to slow-cooked stews, pot-roast chicken and rich ragus – a cast-iron pot helps contain heat and break down tougher cuts of meat, and can be used on the hob or in the oven. They’re incredibly useful, hard-wearing and, when cared for, will last a lifetime.

• Good stock Buy a pouch or two of good-quality chicken stock to enrich soups, gravies and noodle broths. Fresh stock tends to be richer and less salty than the cubed condensed versions. Look for these in the chilled meat section of your local supermarket or ask your butcher.

3 KITCHEN THERAPY MAKE A PERFECT PIE

Pie season is in full swing, so go all out and make a knock-out version with homemade pastry and your favourite filling (our next level cheese & onion pie on page 138 is a good place to start). A quality pie dish will ensure a crisp crust – we like metal or enamel ones for fruit pies and deeper tins for savoury pies– but avoid glass or china, which don’t conduct heat well and can result in a soggy bottom. Try adding a lattice top for a professional finish, or use a scalloped-edged pastry cutter for a twee touch.

4 SPICE THINGS UP STORECUPBOARD HERO

October is known for pumpkin spice, which starts popping up on nearly every menu in lattes, muffins and pies. It’s easy to make your own blend at home: just combine ground cinnamon, cloves, ginger and nutmeg with a little sugar (find the full recipe for ‘pumpkin spice blend’ on bbcgoodfood.com). Stir it into your coffee, sprinkle over porridge, mix into cake batters or use in crumble toppings for muffins and puddings to give you an instant hit of autumn.

5 HAVE A CLEAR-OUT ORGANISE YOUR CROCKERY

It’s time to brave that cupboard stacked high with plates, bowls and platters. Get rid of any old, unused or chipped crockery and replace with new ones. See our favourite new kitchenware on page 28, or look up local potters or craft markets for hand-thrown items. With the party season looming, a good-looking platter is a great investment for doing justice to a centrepiece dish.