Again, this is very simple and quick to prepare because it’s cooked in the microwave, which preserves the vibrant colour and flavour of the onions. Serve it as part of a ploughman’s lunch, on a grilled cheese sandwich, or with a nice bit of Summer quiche (see here)....

By cooking this in the microwave you not only reduce the cooking time, but preserve the real flavour and colour of the fruit. The risk of burning the base of the pan also disappears!We’ve chosen pears here, but you can use whatever fruit you like: apples, strawberries...

This is a delicious balance of savoury and sweet. Great to have in the fridge, ready to elevate the next late-night dinner of cheese on toast to a special treat. It also makes an excellent gift as part of a hamper of good cheeses and crackers.If you haven’t got a...

This makes a great gift and can be prepared well in advance and kept in the fridge. We have tried using other fruit juices for this, such as lime and passion fruit, and they both work really well. It’s best spread on hot buttered toast or served with our White...

This is a simple shortcrust. The savoury version can be used for pies and quiches; the sweet makes a great base for tarts. The trick is in rolling out the pastry between two sheets of baking parchment – this way you don’t need to use any extra flour so the mix stays...

An essential, this goes with almost anything. We use Braeburn apples, which have a good balance of acidity and sweetness, but feel free to experiment with different varieties such as Cox’s, Bramley or russet, which will each lend their particular character to your...