Caramel-Date Cake – Humble in appearance, but big on rich, caramel flavour. Your house will smell amazing and your belly will be happy.

This pork and cider sauce makes the house smell enticingly of Christmas. The cider reduces down into a sweet thick gravy.

Wild mushroom risotto – you put the love in, you definitely get the love out.

Good old oatmeal to which I added half a banana and a few chopped dates. Topped with cottage cheese and handful of chopped walnuts.

Ragu is the perfect get ahead cooking, which can be a godsend around Christmas.

Mussels, white wine, a little garlic and some thoughts on how not to use a yacht to seduce women.