Darina Allen: Summer salad recipes, including this classic Caesar salad

Giving thanks to Mother Nature for fresh bounty

The SP Caesar with Chipotle Caesar Dressing. Pictures: Haarala Hamilton

We can't believe our good luck, day after day of clear skies and sunshine. Many of our cookery school students who hail from sunnier climates can’t believe just how much of our conversation reverts back to the weather.

In some of their home countries, it’s the onset of the rains that’s celebrated with gusto, and I have to say I’m longing for a long night’s rain myself to give us a break from watering plants and to fatten up the rhubarb stalks.