Roasted carrots and apple, cashews, grainy mustard - this makes an amazing winter soup! would recommend... Roasted Carrot and Apple soup - vegan, DF and GF

Jambalaya is a very satisfying food - loads of spices, plenty of substance, loads of veg. This is a wintry version - extra chilli to keep you warm from the inside out... Vegan, DF and GF

This vegetable and lentil curry is undemanding to make - takes about 45 minutes from start to finish, but a lot of that time is spent enjoying a cup of tea and a catch up with family while the curry does its thing...Vegan, DF and GF

I love potato gratin - slow food, creamy, satisfying, yum. This time I messed with it, layering it with leeks, leafy greens and a small amount of blue cheese. Then more potato, butter and milk and an hour in the oven. It was VERY good. Amazingly, there was some left over and was also very good the next day...Potato and Leek gratin with Blue Cheese - vegetarian, GF

This Phillipine Fish soup manages to be substantial without being heavy or rich. It's chockfull of veg and flavour - nam pla, lime juice, ginger - and quick to make. It's great winter food, and leaves you space for a fruit crumble without guilt... (your call on that actually) DF and GF

And finally, comfort food brought to you by the letter P - Porterhouse, portobello and potato top pie!  Yes, it is steak and mushroom but hey. It also has Pumpkin , and P-leek... so this one gives you all the colours... the various steps stack inside each other like Russian dolls, making it quick and easy... and then bake in the oven til crispy. Yum. GF only

Keep warm!