For much of the year, a visit to the British asparagus website looks a bit like the countdown to the London Olympics in 2012. A little counter proclaims 'only 198 days to go' until one of our best home-grown crops finally becomes available.

While we can sate ourselves on the Peruvian stuff for the remaining 10 months of the year, May and June are when asparagus is at its tastiest and most affordable.

To take asparagus affection to the next level, there is a pick-your-own asparagus farm about an hour's drive outside London near Oxford that I think anyone who really loves asparagus would enjoy. In the meantime, here are some simple but delicious ways to enjoy it while the season lasts.