Now that we're firmly in the warm breath of summer, berries are at their best, tropical fruits have never been more stickily sweet, and stonefruit is truly coming into its own.
What's more, seasonal fruit becomes even more affordable and plentiful, spilling from roadside stalls and fruit shops, so it's a great time to try some new recipes in celebration of the abundance of our New Zealand summer.
For a tropical taste sensation, try this fruit tart made with a simple butter pastry that lines the tart tin, baked blind, and then spread generously with frangipane and piled with pineapple. As plums, peaches and nectarines come into season these can be used as equally delicious substitutes for the pineapple.
It doesn't get better than the quintessential English dessert, summer pudding, to honour the berry season. Thin, sliced white bread may not sound inviting but once it is left to soak in the flavours of all the beautiful berries, you will be amazed at how it is transformed. One large pudding can be made for dramatic effect, or consider making cute individual ones in teacups or small glasses. Line the dishes with the bread then pile in the syrup-soaked fruit and top with more bread before weighing down to allow the pudding to compress and settle into its colourful layers. It needs to be chilled overnight or longer, but the result is so delicious and pretty that it's well worth the thinking ahead.
