Some hints and tips - your fridge, your freezer and your fruit bowl!

In a hurry? You don't have to roast fresh beetroot if you have no time. The organic vac packs you can buy are a great product and are not soaked in vinegar. The vac packs have good “best before” dates and so are a perfect fridge stand by.

I always have a small jar of creamed horseradish in my fridge too – you can make and box the smoked mackerel, horseradish and mayonnaise and fridge it, ready to use whenever you are.

You could buy the smoked mackerel when it's a good price and freeze it. It also has a reasonable fridge life so long as you keep it in its sealed pack.

Finally your fruit bowl – Autumn brings delicious apples. I know there are many different varieties to choose from - personally I love a Cox - it lends itself well with the smoked mackerel and the beetroot.

You don't have to go to the trouble of a stack if you've no time and want a quick healthy “salad” style supper. It takes minutes to flake the smoked mackerel and mix with the mayonnaise and the horseradish.

If you fancy treating yourself make the smoked mayonnaise for added zing! Check out Matt's mayonnaise for the stick blender recipe and method.

The moral of this missive is that there's no shopping required – all your ingredients are in your fridge, your freezer and your fruit bowl.

Have a look at the photos coming next for an alternative beetroot idea.