Inspired by Jamie Oliver’s programme on making minestrone soup, I checked what was lurking in the cupboard and made some red lentil and tomato soup. The Best Before End date on the dried lentils was March 1997. A few years ago there was national publicity about a couple who celebrated their golden wedding anniversary by eating a fifty year old tin of whole jellied chicken. I can’t compete with that, but can anyone beat 23 years?