Nuts

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 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

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

This is similar to a Waldorf salad but with pineapple and walnuts. Chef Adriana Cavita's recipe is inspired by a dish that some families in her native Mexico City eat on Christmas Eve. 'The salad adds a crunch and freshness to what could be a rich meal,' she says