The Smart Shopper

Gunning for garlic
One of the hesitant signs of spring is the arrival of the first wild garlic leaves. They're a rather cheff-y ingredient but they're also an easy way to liven up dishes. You don't get the heavy garlic hit but a lovely fresh oniony taste. Chop the garlic leaves finely and add them to scrambled eggs, a cheese sandwich or buttery mashed potato. Ask at independent greengrocers such as the Andreas Veg Company - a 100g bag of wild garlic leaves costs £1.50. Purple sprouting is also in good condition, having recovered from the bitter winter weather - £3.95 a kilo. Andreas Veg Company. 35 Turnham Green Terrace, W4 (020 8995 0140)

A wurst wonderland
It is no surprise that a shop called the "German Deli" has some interesting sausages on offer: the Käsekrainer, an Austrian smoked sausage with a cheese stuffing (£5.30 pack of three); the Weisswürst, with parsley, nutmeg and lemon that's a breakfast special in Munich (£3.95 pack of five); and the Mettenden (£4.90 for pack of four), a coarse textured smoked sausage that goes well in soup. Slightly strange is the array of ketchups on offer - time to try Werder's Curry Ketchup (400ml bottle £2.50) Or Thomy Rot/Weiss ( 200ml £2.95), a mix of ketchup and mayo in the same squeezy tube! The Geman Deli, 3 Park Street, Borough Market, SE1 (020 7378 0000 germandeli.co.uk)
 
Cordials are going chic
After "grown-up" mixers, and ever more exotic juices, it was only a matter of time before someone came up with chic squashes and cordials. Chris and Becky Verinder-Baker live in the Cotswolds and have launched Five Valleys Cordials. As well as their regular gig at Stroud farmers' market, the cordials are on sale at Waitrose for £2.25 until the end of March. Choose from apricot & ginger, lemon & mint or pomegranate & rose. You mix the cordial with still or sparkling water (hot water works well with the Apricot & Ginger). waitrose.com; fivevalleyscordials.co.uk