A sweet ripe fig warmed by the sun is one of summer’s great pleasures. I have such memories from holidays in Turkey, Spain and France – as well as Melbourne’s very hot summers. A firm crumbly cheese is a perfect match for a fig – Lancashire is one such cheese, but you could also try a young Pecorino or Cheddar (though please don’t make this with pre-sliced Cheddar of dubious origins as there is no textural benefit to the salad).

Mâche, also called lamb’s lettuce, looks great in a sa