Nuts

These puds are ridiculously easy to make – and during the setting time the crunchy almond biscuits come together quickly too. Just try to avoid nibbling on one or more before enjoying with a posset

Dessert should never be complicated, and just infusing the milk and cream with cardamom adds a lot of love to this simple and easy-to-make dessert

Make the best of in-season cherries with this delicious sharing salad. Don’t be afraid to use lots of herbs, and to season with plenty of lemon juice and salt

This dairy-free pistachio paste is vegan-friendly and keeps in the fridge for up to a month. Blanching and peeling the nuts is time-consuming, but makes for a greener colour and cleaner pistachio flavour. If you don’t have the time or patience, skip step 1

This chilled offering is spot on for a warm alfresco setting

Top toasted ciabatta with whipped lemon ricotta, ribbons of mortadella and a punchy pistachio drizzle, then hand them around at aperitivo hour

Sharp pickled walnuts and tangy feta contrast the sweetness of roasted shallots in this flavour-packed salad to share

Naturally creamy and slightly bitter in flavour, walnuts are the wrinkly, brain-like fruit of the walnut tree and a versatile storecupboard ingredient in both sweet and savoury cooking. Here, they contrast sweet leeks in a creamy blue cheese sauce for pasta – a quick and comforting dish for a cold winter night

Everyone will want to know the secrets of this wow-factor start or end to a meal. Pile up on handfuls of fresh bay leaves and herb sprigs for an elegant centrepiece, adding small grape bunches or halved figs if you like