Kitchen therapy with rosie birkett

One of the true highlights of high summer has to be the juicy abundance of stone fruits. From cherries to peaches, plums to apricots, they can put on a show in both sweet and savoury dishes. Come celebrate with us...

Serves 4 Prep time 10 min Cook time 20 min • 10 small figs • Squeeze lemon juice • 1 tsp caster sugar • 4 tbsp mascarpone to serve For the crumble top • 4 fig rolls • 50g plain flour • 20g soft brown

Nothing beats the sweet, sun-ripened flavour of seasonal tomatoes. Whether they’re roasted, raw or simmered into sauces, they can add vibrancy and depth to so many dishes. At their peak, tomatoes need

Not just for Christmas, baking a round of soft cheese offers a great centrepiece for a sharing dish like this one, which is best enjoyed al fresco with friends and drinks. SERVES 3 PREP 5 mins COOK 30

• They’re actually fruit. The Latin name is Cucurbita pepo and courgettes come from the same family as pumpkins, cucumbers and melons. They can be yellow, green, green-striped, long and thin or short

Valencian paella, where the dish originates, is made with rabbit and/or chicken, green beans and fat white beans. This version combines seafood and meat. Paella shouldn’t be stirred (like risotto) as