The new Yotam Ottolenghi cookbook, Plenty, will hit the shelves in early May – just in time for summer BBQ season. The last one was full of delicious salads, tarts and sweet treats that could (mostly) be prepared in advance, meaning there wasn’t any fussing about when guests are around.

I look forward to trying out the new recipes on my unsuspecting BBQ friends in the coming months.

Spring has truly sprung in London. There are daffodils everywhere. It’s still light when I finish work. I’ve walked through Regents Park to work and I’m sweating when I get there. I’m starting to regret all those dark chocolate digestives I’ve been eating lately… not going to look good if I rock the short-shorts this summer! Spring also means a whole new outlook on food, after all those months of soup!

Last weekend I tried out a recipe from my Ottolenghi cookbook, the cherry tomato and fennel gratin. It was delicious and so so easy to make. The vine cherry tomatoes go on top about 15 minutes before you finish baking, so when you eat them they’re these little red bombs of warm tomato pulp… I had to change my blouse after squirting tomato all over! I’m cooking for a dinner party next week and have picked two new recipes from the same book- the turkey meatballs and asparagus, artichoke and haloumi salad. Can’t wait, yum! I highly recommend it for super easy fresh recipes.

I have also had the pleasure of visiting the Baigel Bake hot salt beef bagel place in Brick Lane. It was Saturday night, quite late, and for under a quid you can get a freshly baked bagel with cream cheese.. delicious! I know this place is an institution, but it’s worth the mention nonetheless.. bagels are a gift from god, whichever one you choose to believe in.