Chocolate chunk pecan cookies

You can’t beat American-style cookies with big chunks of chocolate and nuts. The perfect grown-up biscuit

Raspberry coconut ices

A yummy treat on a hot day, get the kids to help make these yogurt-based lollies

Reggae reggae nachos

These nachos are a great crowd-pleaser, perfect for sharing with friends over a cocktail

Long amaretto sours

Add some glamour to an al fresco lunch by serving these cocktails to start

Madeira gravy

A good gravy is an essential accompaniment for the festive meal. This one’s enriched with Madeira (fortified wine)

St Clements carrots

Use some of the heap of clementines lying around over the Christmas period to make these sticky, citrussy roasted carrots

Sticky banana & maple cake

This childhood favourite is sticky, indulgent and completely moreish

Griddled polenta with corn & green salsa

Polenta can be a little bland, but pack it with flavours like cheese and chilli and it’s delicious

Carrot & sesame burgers

Burgers are always a barbecue staple, and these sesame-scented ones can be dressed up or down

Aubergine with spicy apricot tabbouleh

This aubergine parcel looks very dramatic, but is dead easy