The beginning of finer weather is a perfect excuse to gather some friends around. Let's do lunch, darling, grab a sunhat and sunglasses and have a lovely lazy time in the garden. So much gorgeous produce is available now, so keep the food fresh and light.
Thefirst course is risotto, which is a fab spring dish when packed with fragrant basil, divine creamy goat's cheese, peas and artichokes. Sweet fresh peas will taste better but frozen are still delicious. Fresh artichokes are a bit of a palaver - well worth the effort that is a topic in itself, but using those in briny oil from the deli will work a treat.
Next up we have fish baked in paper, which is delicate, juicy and extremely healthy, paired with baby carrots, celery, ginger, fresh dill and a dribble of avocado oil. Each person gets to open their own parcel and breath in all the delectable smells wafting up.
Warm sun on the skin makes me think of strawberries - the gorgeous fruit is slowly starting to appear in shops now - splash a little chilled limoncello over them and serve with a delicate shortbread, flavoured with lavender from the garden.
Chef's tip
The true flavour of strawberries is best savoured at room temperature. If you must refrigerate them, bring them back to room temperature before serving.
