Then we grabbed our seats and feasted on these four sharing salads… Heralding the very end of spring and the start of summer, Jersey Royals and asparagus are in their short season at the moment so I couldn’t throw a Feel Good dinner without serving these special vegetables. There’s nothing like eating veg when they’re grown, harvested, cooked and eaten at their very best, as nature intended. There’s a little mustard and crème fraîche tossed through the potatoes and then capers, cornichons and fresh dill to add brininess and freshness. Then of course there’s the perky pea shoots and peppery watercress too.  You could serve your potatoes warm but I love them made ahead, which is much easier. You can find this recipe on page 92 of Feel Good.

Our final salad on the night was this vibrant green herby, creamy dip, topped with roasted carrots, raw mixed beetroot – look out for Chioggia, the stunning tie-dye patterned ones  – generously scattered with a crunchy homemade dukkah of toasted hazelnuts (or your favourite nuts) with cumin, coriander and sesame seeds. Find the recipe on pg 161 of Feel Good.

To finish, we had fresh mint tea and one of my absolute favourite sweet recipes from the book, my three-ingredient rich chocolate pots. Made with dates, the plant milk of your choice and good quality chocolate, these little pots can be made in advance and are a super quick and easy crowd-pleaser. You can also customise them however you like. We served them in pretty bowls – or use espresso cups or small teacups – with grated dark chocolate and a tiny sprinkle of sea salt on top and a platter of fresh fruit on the side for everyone to help themselves.

Wishing you a feel-good summer with lots of time to relax and put your feet up, you deserve it!

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