Nuts

This chilled offering is spot on for a warm alfresco setting

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

This flavour-packed salad would be great as a side with some grilled meat, or as a meal in itself, tossed through with some feta or pan-fried halloumi

Pearl barley is a great low-effort, high-fibre alternative to arborio rice for a midweek risotto. Ours is packed with seasonal green veg, hazelnuts and a good squeeze of lemon

‘This is a light vegetarian play on the classic spaghetti carbonara. Instead of a liaison between egg yolks and Parmesan, I’ve used creamy cashew nuts, and to replace the saltiness of bacon I’ve made some salty crispy parsley. And then there are umami flavours coming from the mushrooms. So while it’s not a carbonara as such, it is certainly inspired by it,' says chef Tristan Welch

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

"This winter warmer ticks all the boxes for me; savoury and nutty, with sweetness from the dates and freshness from the coriander," says chef Chantelle Nicholson

The combination of tangy cheese with the sweet fruit and honey makes this a gorgeous light lunch or starter during the summer