Chicken skewers with cucumber & shallot dip

These low fat, mildly flavoured skewers are excellent served with Thai fragrant rice

Muffin-topped winter beef stew

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

Hummus with veg sticks

Kids won't eat garlic? Try this hummus recipe – it's ready in 15 minutes

Baked chicory with chicken in a sage & mustard sauce

A perfectly creamy chicory and chicken dish for a dinner party

Maple syrup cake

Using maple syrup and pecan nuts, Mary Berry’s Canadian inspired cake is filled with whipped cream, and is a real treat for a special gathering at coffee time

Lemon & lavender fondant fancies

Elegant sponge squares that are petite and pretty as a picture – impress with light flavours and silky butter icing

Green tea frozen yogurt with sesame brittle shards

Frozen yogurt is really easy to make and lower in fat than ice cream. You can find ‘matcha’ green tea powder in healthfood stores

Crispy honey buffalo wings with blue cheese & celery slaw

Crispy Southern fried chicken is often served with blue cheese dressing and celery – the coleslaw turns this party favourite into a proper supper

Smashed avocado with crispy chicken, pickled onions & tortillas

Spread chunky homemade guacamole on flatbreads, use this southern-style fried chicken recipe to create goujons and serve with sweet onion topping

Homemade gingerbread cottage

A step-by-step guide to making and assembling a beautiful gingerbread house complete with snow-capped roof and pretty piping – a great family project