Winter warmer recipes

When it's cold outside, treat yourself to a healthy homemade vegetable soup, packed with immunity-supporting vitamin C and four of your 5-a-day

The ultimate grown-up comfort food, use leftover fruit bread or even croissants instead of the bread if you prefer

A traditional braised beef stew with thick, rich gravy – an ideal recipe for cheap cuts, as slow-cooking guarantees a tender dish

Make sausages and mash with love and you're in for a real treat. We’ve perfected this recipe to make it the very best it can be

Prep this honey and mustard pork loin in the morning to get a head start on Sunday lunch. Cooking it in a slow cooker creates beautifully succulent meat

Try this simple dish on a cold, wintery evening when only comfort food will do.

Muffin on stew? You’d better believe it – think of it as a lighter alternative to suet dumplings

Enjoy this ingenious take on a family favourite, sausage and mash. It brings the two ingredients together into one hearty pie that can be easily frozen

Of the winter soups, leek and potato is one of the most comforting and familiar. This easy Vichyssoise recipe by Darina Allen makes the most of seasonal, local veg

Toast cubes of leftover bread for an extra-crunchy panzanella – an Italian salad that's packed with flavour. It makes a great side dish or lunch

This hot, gooey chocolate pud, with dark chocolate and canned pears, can be made ahead and frozen – a perfect no-fuss dinner party dessert

Experiment with roast chicken: stuff with a spiced butter and surround with a creamy, tikka-inspired sauce before topping with a punchy green chutney

Be inspired by the Italian rolled pork dish, porchetta. This ragu is ideal when you have guests – leave it simmering whilst you entertain

Have this creamy rice pudding cooking in the oven while you make dinner and round off your meal with a comforting pud. Serve with jam for a feel-good treat

A little bit of this winter root mash goes a long way - make it a day ahead and cut the stress on Christmas Day

A really thick, filling minestrone soup - tastes even better after a day

Pining for summer? This simply seasoned chicken fried with beautiful, ripe, cherry tomatoes in a creamy sauce is guaranteed to hit the spot. Add a dollop of pesto for an extra layer of nutty flavours

This warming stew is spiced with cinnamon and cumin, and sweetened with apricots and dates - perfect with fluffy couscous

Bring summer to winter with this fresh salad - it contains 3 of your 5-a-day too

This is a great way to make a chicken go further, and the mustard gives it that little kick

Quinoa is protein-rich, low-fat, gluten-free and makes a nutritious change from rice or pasta

This festive icing is easy to use, looks amazing and makes a lighter end to a meal. The perfect centrepiece for Christmas tea

Put in the extra effort to make this cheese and onion pie and it's sure to please. With homemade pastry, it's as good to eat cold as it is warm

This colourful tuna Niçoise salad makes the most of storecupboard ingredients - vary it for a special occasion by using fresh tuna.