Melty onion toasts

Make the onion topping for this simple gastropub-style starter up to two days ahead

Crisp-topped sprouts

Spruce up your usual sprouts and add crunch and crispiness with a bread and almond-based topping

Pears roasted in red wine

A no-fuss, low-fat dessert – no need to peel the pears, just pop them in the oven and wait for the delicious sauce to form

Citrus grape cake

A rustic Italian-style cake made with olive oil as well as butter. Wonderful eaten warm with a scoop of ice cream for pud

Chocolate fondant

A gooey prepare-ahead dessert that's perfect for entertaining – it's all a matter of timing…

Yogurt parfaits with crushed strawberries & amaretti

Get the taste of summer with this sophisticated dessert that is low fat and easy to make

Lime possets with raspberries

You only need four ingredients for this refreshing summer dessert, plus it can be made a day ahead

Butternut, maple & pecan lattice pie

Spiced and glowing gold, this pie is pure autumn on a plate. Use butternut squash or your Halloween pumpkin

Lychee & ginger sorbet

This refreshing make-ahead dessert is a cooling way to finish off a Chinese-themed dinner party

From-the-freezer mince pies

Keep these festive favourites nice and simple or spice things up with some imaginative twists

Blackberry zabaglione

Italian zabaglione is lovely rippled with a few crushed berries for a quick, outstanding dessert

Summer celebration cake

This fruity cake is impressive but easy to make – perfect for birthdays or for dessert