"For a nice weekend treat, there are two recipes here that should take less than an hour to complete"

Tomatoes are deliciously ripe at this time of year and if you are lucky enough to get locally grown cherry tomatoes, they are usually a burst of flavour and sweetness.

I still remember the excitement of finding a slice of my Mum’s banana bread tucked in with my sandwiches

Delights of blackberry picking... enjoying the bounty

A perfect pair of dessert classics starring the tropical treat

Courgettes hold a lot of water so can add moistness as well as texture to a cake, a loaf or muffins.

Oats are inexpensive, healthy and can be delicious

Raspberries are ruby red, plump and ripe at the moment, and are most delicious in these warmer weeks of the summer

Having a few blocks of pastry in the freezer can be handy. I generally buy pre-made puff pastry as it is very tricky and time-consuming to get right in a domestic kitchen.

Dark chocolate works well with mint, milk chocolate not so much.