This risotto is great when the asparagus season has just started. However, even though it can be very expensive, a little asparagus can go along way as it has such a deep flavour. You can make this risotto with a vegetable stock but make sure it’s fresh and not made from a stock cube – the result will be much tastier!

This is a simple risotto to make and the combination of peas, spinach and parmesan is delicious. It is very important that you cook the rice with the onion for the first few minutes so the rice will be hot when you add the hot stock. This way the rice will cook evenly and the risotto will have a chewy bite. Always season your stock before you start making the risotto.

This works as well as a speedy supper as it does as a brunch dish. I like to eat this with a tomato and avocado salad on the side, but anything fresh and green will tick the boxes, too. Serves four.

This is more savoury bread pudding, but the bread and cheese come together so seamlessly that it feels a lot like a lasagne in the mouth. It’s inspired by an old Sardinian dish designed to use up stale bread, but you can also use well-toasted fresh bread. I love the intense, smoky flavour of scotch bonnet, but use another type of chilli if need be, or leave it out altogether if you don’t like heat. This is a rich dish, so needs only a green salad alongside.

This is a perfect brunch or easy family dinner. Apart from quickly wilting the spinach, everything is cooked in the oven. I’ve used 200g chorizo, because many packets come in that size, but feel free to add more – even up to 300g. Serve with a simple green salad.

These baked beans are warm, comforting and ideal as a hearty brunch on toast or as a side dish to an epic barbecue spread. Just remember to soak the dried beans overnight. The smoky chipotle adds a robust flavour that makes this taste meaty despite it being vegan. The beans will keep for several days in the fridge: just reheat with a splash of water to loosen. The salsa is a great accompaniment, but a dollop of yoghurt or soured cream would work, too.

Sweet potato cooks quickly, so it’s ideal for a speedy supper for one. Feel free, however, to swap it for another vegetable, such as aubergine or courgette. This serves one, but the sauce can be easily scaled up if you’re cooking for more, or batch cooking. Serve with rice, couscous or a bowl of greens.