November 5th is the anniversary of Guy Fawkes' gunpowder plot. What's that? Well the story of Guy Fawkes goes back to the early 1600s. During this period there were religious problems between Protestants and Catholics in Britain (No really! Who would have thought that? Thank God we have moved on from that!) King James I was a Protestant and he passed severe laws against Catholics. They were not permitted to have religious services. A group of 12 Catholics decided to kill King James I and destroy the Parliament Building. They planned to blow up The Houses of Parliament on 5 November 1605, when the King was present. This was called the Gunpowder Plot. The leader of the plot was Robert Catesby. The plotters put 30 barrels of explosives in the cellar under the Parliament Building. Guy Fawkes was an expert with explosives. His responsibility was to guard the barrels of explosives and light the fuse on 5 November. The King's soldiers discovered the plot. Guy Fawkes was immediately arrested and tortured. The other plotters were found three days later. Guy Fawkes and the others were hanged. On the night of 5 November 1605 many people in London were very happy because the plot was discovered. To celebrate they started bonfires in the street. Someone made an effigy of Guy Fawkes and burned it. Every since the British have celebrated Guy Fawkes' Night. The celebrating of "Bonfire" or "Guy Fawkes' Night" is well established in England. These days it is an excuse to let off fireworks and have a good time. Its origins are all but forgotten, although everyone knows of Guy Fawkes and the rough outline of the story. Any religious significance is certainly absent these days, except perhaps in Lewes in Sussex where Nov 5th is particularly relished. As I can remember it was always freezing on Bonfire night so these dishes would warm up anyone. MULLED WINE INGREDIENTS (Serves 4): 1 bottle red wine, 4 oranges, 2 cinnamon sticks, 6 whole cloves, 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar, 1 cup water. METHOD Pour wine and water in saucepan and heat. Add oranges (sliced), cinnamon sticks, cloves and sugar and simmer for hr with lid on. Optional extra - a splash of the spirit of your choice just before service. BONFIRE SOUP INGREDIENTS (Serves 6-8): kilo red cabbage, 60 g brown sugar, 60 g butter, 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar, 3 tablespoons water, olive oil, 1 red onion, 1 leek, 2 cloves garlic, 100 g carrot, 50 g peas, tube tomato puree, 75 g cherry tomatoes, Bunch of fresh herbs (parsley, basil, coriander, oregano - any of these or a mixture), 1 litre chicken stock, Salt and pepper METHOD First cook the red cabbage. Melt the butter in a saucepan and add the sugar. Stir in the red cabbage which has been finely shredded and then add the white wine vinegar and water. Put lid on and cook on a slow heat for 2 hours. If it starts to get too dry add some more water. Now pour some olive oil in a saucepan and gently cook the onion and leek, both of which have been finely sliced. Now chop the garlic and add this. When the onions and leek are soft add the tomato puree and cook out gently for 2-3 minutes. Add the chicken stock and stir. Now peel and dice the carrots and add, together with the peas. Now stir in the cooked red cabbage, together with all the juices. Add the cherry tomatoes, which have been cut in half. Add the herbs (chopped) and season well. Put a lid on and simmer gently for at least an hour. Serve with some crusty bread or garlic bread. AND FINALLY... How many safety inspectors does it take to light the bonfire? 4. One to light the match and three to hold the fire extinguisher How many civil servants does it take to set fire to Guy Fawkes? 23. One to strike the match and 22 to fill in the paper work. How many Mafia hit men does it take to light the bonfire? 3. One to set fire to the effigy, one to watch his back, and one to shoot any witnesses. How many aerospace engineers does it take to light the kindling sticks? 0. You don't need a rocket science to start a bonfire. How many Apple employees does it take to flame Guy Fawkes? 5. One to light the match and four to design the T-shirt. How many Microsoft programmers does it take to start the bonfire? 0. Microsoft declares darkness to be a new standard. How many God-fearing, tax-paying, law-abiding men in Las Vegas does it take to light a bonfire? Both of them. How many fish does it take to set the Guy Fawkes bonfire burning? Surrealist. CHEF GILLIGAN