Poached plums

Cook a comforting autumn dessert using these gently spiced, poached plums. Or make them the star of the show simply served with cream, custard or ice cream

Pumpkin soup

Whip up this easy pumpkin soup as a starter for a dinner party or a light supper when you need a bit of comfort – it has a lovely silky texture

Creamy cheese & potato bake

A comforting cheesy potato bake is the perfect accompaniment to a hearty meat dish in winter

Cookies & cream ice cream

Your guests will be impressed with this rich and indulgent ice cream

Buttery shallot bread sauce

This bread sauce has flavour layered up from the very start ,with almost-melting shallots, herbs and spices

Thai prawn, potato & vegetable curry

A fragrant Thai curry that can be prepared ahead and frozen for a future Friday night on the couch

Sesame grilled asparagus rafts

Griddling or barbecuing asparagus individually can be fiddly, but it’s much easier cooking them like this – plus it looks impressive

Miso chicken & rice soup

Ditch the noodles and try a healthy Japanese ramen with rice, flavoured with miso, soy, mirin and spring onions

Parsnip, cranberry & chestnut loaf

A modern take on the nut loaf, this makes a great vegetarian centrepiece for Christmas Day or a special dinner

Clotted cream & stem ginger ice cream

Add a zing to your ice cream with Rick Stein’s spicy suggestions