Rob's made stew - it's been bubbling away in the oven all afternoon, tantalising me with the smell...I just want to eat it now, but that would be sacrilege, as the dumplings aren't in there yet. There's nothing better than stew on a rainy, freezing cold Sunday in Newcastle. Who cares if it's not haute cuisine?!

I've been making myself even more hungry this afternoon by reading Antonio Carluccio's Southern Italian Feast. There's some gorgeous recipes in here for antipasti, including one with strips of aubergine rolled around a filling and baked, which I'd really love to try.