HAND made sweet treats from the kitchens of Tara's Foods in Dungarvan. The lemon and poppyseed cake is light and moist, the coffee cake has just the right subtlety while the chocolate and walnut brownie is rich, gooey and delicious. Having tried almost half the lip-smacking range, we didn't find a disappointing recipe in the lot. Stocked by good coffee shops and delis nationwide we recommend you check out this red-hot bakery (www. tarascookies. com).

Besta pasta

We've really got a taste for organic spaghetti from Rustichella d'Abruzzo.

Produced with durum wheat semolina and cut with bronze moulds, it's a traditional product with the finest texture, flavour and character of any pasta we've ever tried. An essential for Italian lovers ( 3.60 from Fallon & Byrne and Sheridan's. ) Getting fruity Freshways fruit pots, little tubs of fresh fruit salad that may just be the healthiest product in your convenience store. Great for breakfast on the run or petrol-station pit stops, they're also a juicy way of getting two of your recommended five-aday portions ( 2.99, widely available).

Nutty about oats Gubbeen oatcakes, a crafty marriage of award-winning Gubbeen cheese and Robert Ditty's celebrated oatcakes. Serve the nutty, crunchy triangles alongside a fruity chutney or cheese board . . . or nibble them on their own. ( 3.95, from Sheridan's, Fallon & Byrne and good food stores; www. gubbeen. com).