My Blackberry Bluff (a blackberry version of the traditional Dutch dessert, Haagse Bluf) is as light & airy as a summer breeze. It is also a breeze to make as there is no cooking involved. It is still a tad early in July for the best blackberries, as they are just coming into season now, so remember this recipe when you spot a great basket of these black beauties.

Beetroots are at their very best right now. This pink beetroot and orange soup from Spitsuurkoken is one to fall in love with. I adore its gorgeous blushing color and the unusual combination of beets and oranges.

After a week of searing temperatures here in Amsterdam I almost long for a little rain. This delicious salad, featuring strawberries, soft goat's cheese and lamb's lettuce is just the thing for a sweltering summer's day when you can't face anything that isn't light and refreshing. With Dutch strawberries now in season and lovely soft Dutch goat's cheese widely available, this summery salad takes advantage of fresh, seasonal ingredients. Colorful, vitamin packed and vegetarian-friendly (by accident rather than design) it is sure to perk you right up.

This week's culinary idiom is:

Ieder kaasje heeft zijn gaatje.

It translates as 'every cheese has its hole', but is used to express that we all have our flaws, i.e. nobody's perfect.

These scrummy savory oude kaas & cumin muffins are made with simple store cupboard ingredients: oude kaas (aged Gouda) or Parmesan cheese, cumin, milk, flour, butter & eggs.

Photo © Karin Engelbrecht