Seasonal home cooking : simple food with fresh ingredients

Every season brings with it a glut of fresh ingredients, astounding in their versatility.

This delightful collection celebrates the cream of every new crop with tips and recipes designed for spontaneous, healthy living.

An introduction to each season shows how to source quality seasonal foods.

Whether harvesting aromatic herbs from hanging baskets or infusing syrups with edible flowers, delightful twists to classic dishes are accessible to even the most city-bound cook.

The simplest combinations capture the essential flavours of every season, and perfectly match our changing appetites.

Spring yields tender meats, fresh greens and delicate herbs, ideal for lighter eating.

Ripe summer vegetables grace everything from chilled, piquant soups to succulent salads, and are full of flavour when roasted on a barbecue.

As the nights turn cooler, appetites sharpen - enjoy smoked chicken with butternut pesto or fish pie with saffron mash.

Winter is the season for energizing stews and festive treats: tangy cranberries and oranges lift a spicy venison casserole while a deliciously creamy rice pudding is temptation enough for any party guest.

Bridget Jones is a well-known food writer and editor. She contributes to a number of leading food magazines and has also acted as consultant on Reader's Digest New Cookery Year and Larousse Gastronomique.