May is almost here, which hopefully means we'll get to enjoy warmer weather and plenty of sunshine. It is also a great time to change up what you're cooking for your family.

Winter usually means heavy, warming meals that will keep you going through dark days and lots of rain, but these meals can be too much as we get closer to summer. Not only does warmer weather mean we want to eat lighter, the season also results in plenty of in-season, local produce that you can make the most of.

To help you find your new favourite foods for May, here some things you should be whipping up your kitchen next month:

Crusted asparagus with feta

A popular in-season ingredient for May is asparagus which is a really versatile vegetable, as well as incredibly tasty. It works as a great side for meat and fish, but there is more you can do with it than boil or grill it.

A great way to mix up your asparagus is to make pistachio crusted asparagus with feta. You can make this by putting shelled pistachios in a food processor with salt, pepper and fresh parsley until you have a reasonably fine crumb.

Cut the ends of the asparagus off and lay on a baking tray. Drizzle with some olive oil and a dash of lemon juice before covering in the pistachio crumb. Finish by crumbling feta cheese over the asparagus and bake until they are soft.

Spinach and feta pie

Another use for feta is a classic Greek-inspired recipe that is easy to make and can be served hot or cold. Spinach and feta pie is sure to become a favourite, if only for how quickly you can put it together.

Simply roll out ready-made puff pastry (you can make it yourself if you have the time) and line a pie dish, ensuring you have pastry set aside to cover the top. Cut feta into cubes and layer with spinach until the pie is full - it's worth noting that the filling will shrink as it cooks so it is better to overfill it.

Put the rest of the pastry over the top of the pie, pricking it in the middle to allow steam to escape and use milk or egg as a wash before. Bake until the pastry is risen and a light, golden brown colour. Serve immediately or allow to cool and serve it up with salad.

Chickpea burgers

Whether you're having a BBQ or just want a healthier alternative to beef burgers, chickpea burgers are a great choice for May. They are also quite easy to make and can easily be altered to create different flavours.

You just need dried chickpeas that have been soaked overnight, cooked quinoa, eggs, garlic and herbs and spices - such as fresh oregano, dill and paprika.

Start by roughly blending half of your chickpeas to create a course mix, which should then be put to one side. Add the other half of the chickpeas to your food processor with the eggs, herbs, spices and seasoning and blend until smooth.

Stir both chickpea mixes together, combining the quinoa also. You can then start shaping your burgers, ensuring that they are thick enough that they stay together when cooking. Grill them until golden brown and then enjoy with your favourite cheese and ketchup.