The sun is coming out at last! And to celebrate, here’s a hamper full of sandwich recipes, all featuring Hass avocados. Easy to prepare Hass avocados are a great  ingredient for healthy and tasty sandwiches. They’re packed with nutrients and monounsaturated fats (or “good” fats). The Hass variety has a creamy flesh and a nice nutty flavour. They are available in the UK until September.

Gyoza dumplings are typically made with wheat based wrappers. This recipe uses more readily available rice paper. Using rice paper only really lends itself to pan frying and not to the steamed equivalent which is so popular in Japan. The advantages of using rice paper though are that it is gluten free, you don’t have to order ingredients online and they are thinner which means more room for the delicious filling.

There’s no two ways about it, the Italian food philosophy is one of the world’s most effective and gratifying. It works on two fundamental principles: quality ingredients and classic flavour combinations. It follows then that authentic Italian dining is simple to emulate at home and this recipe for Truffle Pesto Pasta is a case in point.

Walk into any trendy gourmet bakery and it’s clear that Portuguese tarts are very much en-vogue these days. Generally the custard is flavoured with vanilla and perhaps a little orange zest. This recipe adds a sophisticated twist on the classic by using another Portuguese favourite: almond custard. Apples, gooey caramel and brandy seal the deal… and why on earth not.

If it’s hot outside you need to keep hydrated and lassis are the perfect accompaniment to Indian flavours.My blackberry lassi is light and refreshing- served over ice it’s an ideal barbecue drink.

Vegetarians often get a raw deal at barbecues: a side salad just isn’t enough! The Indian cheese paneer is very versatile, tastes great grilled, tandoori-style and is now widely available in supermarkets. These skewers are full flavoured, have lots of texture and are very satisfying regardless of whether you are a vegetarian or not. Tandoori food is often served with sliced or chopped tomatoes, red onions and cucumbers seasoned and drizzled in lemon juice, and some green chutney.

No barbecue is complete without burgers, so why not try these succulent chicken burgers with an Indian twist? The coriander, cumin and chillies add a delicious spice and depth of flavour and the burgers taste great with chutney-flavoured mayonnaise, or simply with ketchup.

East meets west in this burger. Classic Thai flavours delivered the all American way!

Celebrate the Diamond Jubilee with Bombay Sapphire’s special Ginbilee G&T Infusions, invented by five Brits known for their creativity, each of whom has given us their own take on the classic G&T. It’s apparently one of Her Majesty’s favourite tipples …