To decorate cakes as we have, knead colour of choice into prepared fondant icing. Roll out between two sheets of baking paper until 3mm thick. Cut out star shapes and decorate with cachous. Brush cake with warmed marmalade Press stars on. Wrap in ribbon. Alternatively, decorate top of uncooked cake with whole blanched almonds before […]

Improve your go-to meatloaf recipe with the addition of zingy barbecue sauce. Photograph by Rob Shaw.

A baking staple that the kids will love.

The three types of nuts used here are tossed with the spice mixture then toasted, a process that infuses the cake with their combined flavours. The secret to a successful teacake lies in the beating of the sugar, egg and butter ­ the mixture must be very light in colour and full of air.

As if juicy pork cutlets on creamy mash wasn't already temptation on a plate, the Brussels sprouts fried with bacon and peas are gorgeous enough to entice even the fussiest eaters.

These sweet and nutty biscuits are fantastic as a gift or for picnics.

A perfect winter dish - the classic apple crumble never goes out of style. Serve with vanilla ice-cream, for a heart-warming family dessert.

Dense, moist and delicious chocolate and coffee cake.

A simple Christmas pudding recipe that's bursting with fruit and lightly spiced.

This creamy custard sauce is traditionally served cold and can be made well ahead of time. If you're cooking for all the family you can leave out the liqueur, or just add it to half of the custard and serve in two different jugs.

Love to make that traditional Christmas cake but find yourself without the time as the 25th draws nearer? This mix can be made up to one month in advance and tastes even better without the stress of hurried baking.

Rich, moist, fruity and fragrant with brandy, this moist Christmas cake is best served with a cup of tea or a mug of good coffee. The fruit mixture can be used as a base for puddings or a filling for mince pies.

One of the, many, great things about a classic steamed Christmas pudding is that you can get all of the cooking and steaming out of the way ahead of time and reheat in the microwave when you're ready to eat.

Bread sauce is a classic English accompaniment to roast chicken or beef dishes.

The trick to making really smooth mashed potatoes is to use hot milk. For a mildly garlicky version, add some peeled cloves to the water with the potatoes and mash through.

A classic dessert dish, this wonderfully sweet and sticky date cake is beautiful served with a rich butterscotch sauce and dollop of ice-cream for the ultimate indulgence.

These little chicken and leek pies go fast at a party, so if you're hosting a big one you might want to double the recipe. This filling also makes an excellent family-sized pie, just use half the pastry and double the cooking time.

That feeling when you realise you haven't made a Christmas cake and then discover our fabulous last-minute recipe.

Quick, juicy and tender, these roasted pork fillets with orange make a great mid-week dinner. Serve with some crusty bread and a green salad.

Chipolatas are always a hit, and paired with this spicy, fruity, tangy homemade barbecue sauce they're simply irresistible.

When it comes to gluten-free baking, sometimes gluten-free flour is not enough on its own. This gluten-free scones recipe lets you get the right texture and taste without adding gluten.

Rich, dense fruit cake is a real treat to the connoisseur, and this easy melt-and-mix recipe make turning out a winner almost effortless.

Add some gourmet elements to the beloved Aussie pie with chunks of steak, succulent vegetables and crisp pastry crusts.

Crisp and lightly spiced, these honey snap biscuits do exactly what their name suggests. Delicious served with a glass of milk, a cup of coffee or a scoop of ice-cream.

Rich, creamy and sweet, this classic custard recipe is the perfect accompaniment to many pies, cakes and desserts.

Nutty, delicious and packed full of goodies.

Can be made two weeks ahead; keep refrigerated. Note

Steeping the fruit in Grand Marnier make this Christmas cake extra delectable. If you're storing before decorating, you can poke a few holes in the top and splash a little liqueur over the cake then wrap, and repeat.

Invented by renowned British cook Constance Spry, this salad was originally served at the 1953 coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, and our contemporary take on the original is worth a queen's ransom. We used whole-egg mayonnaise in this recipe.

Creamy, delicious and perfect for summer-time desserts.

Fun and delicious little snacks that the kids will love.

This fragrant veal stock is the perfect base for your homemade soups, casseroles and curries.

This traditional Cornish lunch dish is the ultimate comfort food with a crisp, golden crust surrounding a hot potato and meat filling.

Make a delicious pie base and crust with this parmesan cheese spiked short crust pastry recipe. You can leave the cheese out if you prefer, and even replace it with sugar for a sweet dish.

This is one retro recipe that never goes out of style, a cob loaf filled with spinach dip is always a huge party hit.

There's no better way to complete a roast dinner with all the trimmings than to serve up a delicious, traditional cauliflower cheese.

Sweet, dense and oozing with sticky golden syrup, this gorgeous steamed pudding is perfect served warm with a dollop of cream or ice-cream for an indulgent weekend treat.

A classic snack, enjoy these pickled eggs on their own, as part of a picnic spread, or atop a sandwich with some sliced meat and vegetables.

Sweet and delicious cranberry raisin cake inspired by boiled fruit cake.

Homemade mint sauce is nothing like the kind you buy in a jar. It's minty, sharp with vinegar and just a little bit sweet too. Perfect for dolloping over slices of juicy roast lamb.

Makes 2 litres

The taste and texture of freshly made puff pastry make the process worth the effort.

Basic cup cakes make a great project when you're looking to bake with the kids on a wet afternoon.

The use of lemonade in these beautiful scones means you no longer have to spend time rubbing butter and flour together!

Spicy pickled onions, packed with chillies, cloves and ginger, make the perfect accompaniment to a classic ploughman's lunch.

These scone-style dumplings are light, fluffy and perfect for soaking up the treacly, delicious golden syrup sauce.

If you can lay your hands on some home-grown limes for this lime and ginger marmalade then grab them. Either way, make sure you give the fruit a really good scrub before preparing it for the pan.

Cherries will last indefinitely. Do not allow metal lids to touch the liquid; plastic is best to use. This recipe is unsuitable to freeze or microwave.

If you're lucky enough to have access to a cumquat tree, then this ginger-spiked marmalade is the perfect way to use up the fruit.

Homemade jam makes a great gift for family or friends.

A good gravy makes all the difference to the taste of roast meats. Here's the basic recipe.

It is fine to use just 1 x 300ml carton of cream for this recipe. Note

The crumbles can be made in individual dishes and frozen, before baking, for up to 2 months. Note

We used a low-calorie packet of jelly crystals because we wanted the cranberry and raspberry flavour but you can use any jelly crystals you like, as long as it makes 2 cups (500ml) jelly; raspberry, port wine and cherry-flavoured jelly would all work well. Note

You could also make this cake in a deep 18cm round cake pan. This cake is best made on day of serving. Note

Use a mixture of cauliflower, carrots, celery, green tomatoes, cucumber and pickling onions. If the mixture seems too wet, drain away some of the liquid before bottling. Note

Mini versions of an old classic dessert that are perfect for individual serving.

This recipe is not suitable to freeze. Note

This quantity of basic fruit mix will make a classic Christmas cake or classic steamed Christmas pudding. Note

This basic fruit mix is enough to make a pudding (boiled or steamed) large enough to serve 10 people, a regular-sized cake and a dozen mince pies. Note

This light and delicious sponge cake is a quick and tasty treat for the whole family to enjoy.

Verjuice is available in delicatessens and supermarkets; it’s usually found in the vinegar aisle. It’s made from unripe grapes and has a slightly acidic taste. Ask the butcher to cut the rabbit into pieces. Note

Impress your Christmas guests this year with a perfectly-created cake, thanks to this beautiful rich hazelnut fruit cake recipe. Happy baking!

If you have an electric pressure cooker you won’t need to reduce the heat to stabilise pressure, your cooker will automatically stabilise itself. Always check with the manufacturer’s instructions before using. This recipe is suitable to freeze. Note

Pies can be cooked one day ahead; keep, covered, in refrigerator. Reheat pies in a single layer on oven trays, covered loosely with foil, in oven (180°C/160°C fan-forced) for about 10 minutes. Uncooked pies can be frozen between layers of freezer wrap for up to three months; thaw in refrigerator for 12 hours or overnight […]

You don’t have to use fruit bread, ­you could use white bread, croissants or panettone. Croissants are particularly delicious with the strawberry jam. Note

These delicious savoury potato pancakes are absolutely beautiful enjoyed with smoked salmon and dill cream. Perfect any time of the day, this dish is a real winner!

Pears, parsnips and red onion have a natural sweetness that is enhanced on roasting. This sweet flavour balances beautifully with pork’s creamy, fatty texture making it the perfect pairing. It’s the same reason apple works so well as an accompaniment with pork in all its forms. Note

This cake can also be made in a deep 18cm (7¼-inch) square cake pan. Note

Although associated with America, the shortcake in fact originated in England and Europe. In England it was known as shortbread, until that name came to be used exclusively for the New Year Scottish shortbreads. Shortcake can be made a week ahead, assemble just before serving. Store covered, in refrigerator freeze shortcake suitable microwave jam suitable. […]

Rhubarb comes in bunches and needs all leaves trimmed away and stalks washed before cooking. Any leftover rhubarb puree is delicious served with muesli or cereal for breakfast, or topped with a favourite crumble mixture. Note

This cake is very moist, due to the proportion of fruit to flour, which gives it a similar texture to Christmas pudding. Great as a family dessert with custard or, traditionally, for more special occasions such as 21st birthdays and weddings. Rum, sherry or your favourite liqueur can be substituted for the brandy. The fruit […]

For those who prefer a light fruit cake, this is ideal. Keep the cake for 3 to 4 days before cutting, then cut with a sharp serrated or electric knife to cut cleanly through the almonds. Note

For a healthier option, use olive-oil spray instead of butter for pastry sheets. School prawns (shrimp) can also be used, or try crab or lobster meat. Note

This pudding recipe is suitable to freeze. Note

A classic steamed Christmas pudding that is sure to bring back childhood memories.

Sandwiches can be prepared several hours ahead. Keep wrapped in plastic wrap in the refrigerator until required. Bread is an excellent source of energy-giving carbohydrates. Wholemeal and wholegrain breads are also a rich source of dietary fibre and other nutrients because they contain the natural goodness of the entire grain. Note

You need 1 large (230g) overripe banana to get the amount of mashed banana required for this recipe. Note