The other day I discovered some broccoli in the fridge I had forgotten about. It was still fresh and crisp, but with an almost total lack of other vegetables in the house, I was at a loss as to what to do with it.

In fact I have only just come around to the virtues of broccoli in the last five years or so. When I was a little girl, I physically couldn't swallow a mouthful of broccoli, I found it that repulsive. It is possible, however, that my mothers tendency to serve it microwaved into oblivion might have influenced my youthful disgust.

These days, I love broccoli. And not just because it is exceptionally good for you, a 100g serving will give you almost 150 per cent of your daily vitamin C needs, is high in calcium and loaded with antioxidants.

This recipe serves one. Just multiply the ingredients by the number of serves you require.

Broccoli and parmesan soup:

1 small onion, roughly chopped
150g broccoli, roughly chopped
1 clove garlic, finely sliced
chicken stock, to taste
salt and pepper to taste
500ml water
parmesan, to serve

In a heavy bottomed saucepan, lightly fry onion until translucent. Add broccoli, and fry for one or two minutes. Cover with water, and bring to boil. Simmer for 15-20 minutes. Blend mixture until smooth. Garnish with grated parmesan and enjoy.

While writing this post, I have also been making another version of this soup, but with a spicy touch. I added a bit of dried chilli, some Spanish papprika and some red lentils , served with natural yoghurt as a garnish. I'll let you know how it goes, it's not ready yet.

Update: Spanish broccoli soup was quite nice. I was disappointed though. I was so hungover at the time, all I really wanted was a cheeseburger. Not super healthy soup! I've learned my lesson now.

I've discovered a new food problem with my new career. As I no longer work in a cafe where I can gleefully pick at any edible substance (little chorizo here, little aioli there) I've started to become a little peckish around the three thirty mark. I've usually got a beer in hand at that time, so the it has all become a bit of a shock, with the niggling feeling in the bottom of my empty belly. And I'm sober, tragedy.

I've begun a search for fun (but healthy-ish) afternoon snacks. For your information, Country Cup Flavours of the World Tom Yum soup does not taste anything like Tom Yum soup. Not even close. It actually tastes not unlike lemon scented dish washing liquid.

My friend Stef has suggested carrot sticks with hummus, which is a cracking idea. He is a vegan, and I've not really met that many vegans, so I am rather interested to pick his brains over the vegan diet. Also, Criterion street cafe do a great vegetable foccacia which is vegan, if anyone is interested.

On a non-vegan tract, I'm really into those little baby-bell cheeses, which are super fun to eat. I've been forcing down little pots of yogurt, but it's not really working, because I don't like yogurt much, I just think I do.

My housemate Lucy suggests the humble Freddo frog, as they are available from the tuck-shop at the art school, they are very small, so therefore portion controlled, while still delivering chocolatey goodness. She describes the basic chocolate version as "her rock" but occasionally dabbles in the odd Caramello Koala.

I would like to open up the comments page for suggestions on what else is good to have as a mid-afternoon snack. I'd be most grateful for any interesting ideas.