Not so much a recipe as a bit of inspiration to use up those bits and pieces in the fridge, you'll have a tasty lunch and an easy conscience.

A great Party/picnic dip.

Here is a recipe that is both summery but also substantial enough to satisfy on another chilly night.

Fresh zingy spanish prawns.

Gorgeous jewel-like soup, from the Moro cookbook, via The Food Urchin blog. The garlic yogurt takes it to new heights.

Grown up soup, healthy and full of goodness and flavour. The parmesan gives it an wonderful added depth.

Delicious, nutritious, easy to do and very cheap. Serve with wedges of fresh wholmeal bread or toast

Quick and tasty, packed with flavour.

Great for using up a glut of cucumbers from the greenhouse, or using up that sad specimen from the bottom of the fridge before it turns to slime. Quick, easy and very tasty

Dal, the wonderfully spiced, thick Indian soup. Pulses are filling and full of protein, excellent for vegetarians.

Jamie’s English onion soup, just onions, stock and a bit of bread and cheese. Cheap and ever so tasty lunchtime soup.

This is a super quick, super tasty lunch dip. Eat it with crudites/toasted bread, lunch in under 10 minutes!

Home made soup, there really is nothing to making it but it tastes so much more delicious than anything shop bought.

Salade Nicoise - another summer classic - fresh enough for the hot weather substantial enough for a proper dinner.

Slowly poaching salmon belly in olive oil with herbs adds to its richness and gives it a subtle punch that goes nicely with a salad tossed with mustard vinaigrette.

This kedgeree dish has been adapted through the generations and households in our family over the years and this is my version. It was always a brunch option when my mother cooked it but has also become a supper favourite in our household. If you have friends to stay and you need a good alternative brunch to revive everyone after a heavy night this is great (only problem being that one of you needs the energy and clearish head to get it together!)

Treat yourself to a proper breakfast/brunch this weekend with a tasty salmon and spring onion omelette. Ready in an instant.

Seasonal ingredients combined into a tangy, sweet and warm salad that perfectly suits the transition from light summer foods into more lingering autumnal dishes. Serve with nice brown bread for simple lunch, or with some autumn lamb (the best sort) and a light red wine for a more substantial meal.