Since I moved to London five years ago I have developed my food skills a lot. I am a better cook and I think even more about food than I did before, which I actually thought was impossible.

And because I am older and also have adopted the British ways a little, I do what I can not to waste food.

I don’t rely on use-by-dates, I use my nose and eyes instead. I utilise the freezer a lot, and plan my meals according to what I have in my fridge that needs to be used up. In fact, I find it so satisfying to use up things I have at hand to create a nice meal, that I sometimes prefer that to trying new exciting recipes. It is hands on problem solving, and very gratifying.

This dish is all about using up leftovers but it is also a very tasty way of doing so.

Crispy gnocchi with lardons, rocket and pecorino, serves 1-2

1/2 batch left over gnocchi

100-125 g lardons, finely chopped

a decent knob of butter

salt, pepper

1-2 handfuls rocket

grated pecorino for serving

Fry the lardons crispy on medium heat in a frying pan. Transfer to a plate and add the butter to the fat in the pan. Fry the gnocchi crispy on both sides and add the lardons back to the pan. Add the rocket and let it wilt. Season well. Plate and serve with grated pecorino.