Just when I thought I could switch on the autopilot to steer around Tesco with Mr T's familiar list in my hand...I encountered an ingredient failure. How can it be possible that there are no sprouts on the shelves...since when did this little vegetable of the less popular variety become the new must have thing...

Determined not to let Mr T down, I set off on a hunt to see if there were sprouts to be found in any of the local fruit and veg stores...and, as if scripted, the final shop I got to had a tray full. Having no idea what constituted a decent amount, I shovelled three scoops into a brown paper bag and put it on the scale, and was glad when it only came to £1.95...

I was soon back at Mr T's with his usual shopping in one hand and a very rustling paper bag of fresh sprouts and his change in the other. He seemed very pleased but I fear I may have bought him about a month's worth - I guess I'll find out next week if they don't appear on the list...