Delia Smith's Summer Collection. This item is unavailable.Delia Smith's Summer Collection

This illustrated book contains imaginative ideas for light lunches, barbecues, buffets and summer teas, putting a new slant on traditional favourites with exciting flavours from South-East Asia, Italy and California.

"Summer is a special time for cooks, a dazzling time when fresh ingredients present themselves in rapid succession, some of them so briefly that we need to snap them up to enjoy them at their best," Delia Smith writes in the introduction to her now classic Summer Collection. No-one can deny that we live in a privileged age when we can shop all round the world for anything at any time of the year, but that should never eclipse the joy of being able to eat something grown close to home when it's at its peak.

Asparagus, runner beans, baby carrots and strawberries all make an appearance in this book, all enhanced by Delia with tastes from California, Italy, Greece and the East. The cooking techniques range from grilling and roasting vegetables to making homemade ice cream. Recipes include Salmon Steaks with Avocado and Crème Fraîche to Sautéed Asparagus with Eggs and Parmesan. Desserts, breads and baking tips complete the collection. --Amanda James