Crusty cheddar pies

This recipe has been designed to be made ahead and frozen – a family-friendly batch pie, with cheesy mashed potato atop hidden broccoli, leeks and celery

English madeleines

Give these French classics the British tea party treatment by baking the coconut sponges in a cone shape and serving with cherry jam glaze

Peppermint petticoat tails shortbread

A clever decoration technique for this classic tea time biscuit – use a doily to dust on a pretty lace pattern in icing sugar

Cheesy mustard mash

Serve up a side that’s lower in fat than most mash recipes, plus has a crispy cheddar cheese topping and thyme flavour

Chicken liver & chorizo open sandwich

Contains pork – recipe is for non-Muslims only

A thrifty, speedy supper for two – allow time for the Spanish sausage to add its paprika flavour to the creamy garlic and sherry sauce

Swede dauphinoise

Contains pork – recipe is for non-Muslims only

Give a classic French gratin dauphinoise a great British twist. Use swede instead of potatoes and if you don't like anchovies, add bacon lardons

Pot-roast beef with French onion gravy

Silverside and topside are cheaper and leaner cuts of meat, well-suited to slow-cooking. The stock and juices make a great sauce when combined with caramelised onions

Guinea fowl tagine with chickpeas, squash & apricots

This game bird is a lot like chicken, so can be cooked in the same way – give it a whirl in this fragrant Moroccan-spiced casserole

Brazil & banana bread

Often overlooked, these nuts deserve their turn in the spotlight – bake into a squidgy, soft loaf cake with fruit and coconut

Piri-piri chicken with spicy rice

Use a lime-spiked spicy marinade to coat thighs and drumsticks then roast and serve with paprika rice for a cheap and healthy supper