Soft fruits and new potatoes make welcome addition to summer menus. Do not forget to add mint to the potatoes, and plenty of butter. They are good in salads, too.

Strawberries with orange makes a refreshing summer pudding.

Take 1lb (500g) strawberries, remove the stalks and set aside.

Make a puree from 8oz (250g) strawberries (in a blender or rub the strawberries through a fine sieve)

Add the juice of an orange and sweeten to taste with castor sugar. Pour the puree into a serving bowl

Place the remaining whole fruit on top and chill in the fridge

Serve with vanilla ice cream or yogurt.

 Paul Cleave