With the chilly weather over the last few weeks, I've been making lots of filling and comforting foods such as cakes, puddings, and soups. I recently published a recipe for ginger sponge pudding. It is oven baked, has a honey and lemon syrup and is just the thing for winter days. Bake, turn over onto a plate and top with extra syrup for a gooey, sticky treat. What I like about this pudding (apart from it being simply delicious) is that it is baked in the oven and no lengthy steaming is...

Add a dash of colour and flavour to January days with one of these zesty citrus recipes. Now is a good time to make a batch of orange marmalade when Seville marmalade oranges are in season in the UK. And as this recipe is suitable for long storage it will keep you in stocked up over the months ahead. These chocolate orange shortbread biscuits have been popular in recent weeks. They are simple to make, perfect for freezing and are one of my favourites. Or you could try this orange and ginger...

Whether you're hosting a crowd or having a quiet celebration, a little planning and preparation will make things easier and could save you time. Whether you are preparing a meat free Christmas dinner or catering for one or two vegetarian guests you may find some recipe ideas here. Make a nut roast in advance to leave you stress free on the day. Or try these individual nut roasts or nut cutlets, both of which are freezer friendly. There are lots of desserts which can be prepared the day before...