This is a dish packed with flavour which definitely tastes better after a night in the fridge. The meatballs are rich and smoky with chipotle, cumin, allspice, cloves and cinnamon, while red wine, dark chocolate, rich beef stock, cinnamon and bay add more depth to the sauce. With some fluffy white rice, a refreshing and zingy lime, black bean and pepper salsa, a dollop of cooling sour cream and some creamy avocado slices all add more texture and layers of flavour. One of my favourite recipes I’ve made recently. Make a big batch for your freezer and your future self will thank you later.

This is a bowl of pure comfort food which I think we need with this truly awful “summer” weather we’ve been having. Juicy, slightly crispy chicken breast to top a creamy mushroom orzo pasta full of plenty of flavour thanks to parmesan, rich umami mushrooms, spinach, lemon juice and some creme fraiche. Easy to whip up in no time, minimal ingredients and delicious on its own without the chicken.

It depends which day you ask me, but this could be my death row meal - its definitely in my top 3. For me, nothing beats this when I’m craving a rich, hearty, delicious bowl of comforting pasta. It’s all about the slow cooking of the beef shin here which after a few hours in a low oven just melts in your mouth. The end result is a ragu rich with red wine, plenty of rosemary, parmesan, garlic, sweet vegetables, sweet good quality Italian tinned tomatoes and well made beef stock.

With the Six Nations ongoing Guinness is on the mind. While I’m not a massive fan of a pint myself, it works really well in this rich, comforting beef stew. A little dark chocolate adds slight sweetness to the rich sauce, while some herby potato dumplings with salty pancetta soak up all the yummy flavours and add a whole other level of comfort. Super easy to make and perfect for a Sunday dinner.

Roast leg of lamb is always a winner. Although it is a pricier cut, it really does go a long way and you can do a lot with leftover lamb. For me, lamb goes so so well with the creamy richness of dauphinois potatoes and some simply steamed green veg on the side. Anchovies, garlic and rosemary are a marriage made in heaven and with a sweet but umami rich redcurrant jus with marmite, red wine and Worcestershire sauce, this is Sunday comfort food heaven.

You just can’t beat a chicken parm. Soft chicken breasts stuffed with mozzarella, sundried tomatoes and basil, wrapped in salty parma ham, topped with cheesy, lemony, herby breadcrumbs and served with a rich tomato sauce and fresh rocket salad - it is ultimate comfort food. Kids will love it, adults will love it, its just one of those dishes which is a total crowdpleaser. Perfect for a midweek dinner but also tasty enough that people would be delighted to be served it at a dinner party, it’s just too good.

Roast chicken is up there with one of my ultimate comfort food meals. But sometimes it’s nice to have a lighter version. This recipe is full of freshness and in season ingredients. With a simple lemon, garlic, anchovy and herb marinade, and some roasted fennel and shallots, you get lovely chicken juices to drizzle over the top once it’s ready. A zingy green sauce made with pea shoots, capers, lemon and plenty of fresh herbs it brings everything to life. I tried out a slightly different recipe to my usual goose fat roasties by adding a rosemary parmesan salt during the last five minutes of roasting which I am always going to do from now on. Some simple stir fried greens on the side completes this summer roast feast.

Nothing screams comfort food more than a bubbling macaroni cheese with a crunchy topping. This is my ultimate macaroni cheese which has a few twists. With some spicy roasted chorizo, charred kale, crispy breadcrumb topping, sweet caramelised onions and some fresh thyme, you won’t be able to keep your spoon out of this one. Plus it is a really cost effective dish which everyone will love. I used three types of cheese which is essential in my opinion. Try and use an extra mature cheddar for added umami punch and gruyere and parmesan help to up the cheese factor. A spoonful of marmite, dijon and a good grating of fresh mustard is also key to add more depth to your sauce.

This recipe is one of my absolute favourites and with a few simple twists elevates your traditional chicken pie to the next level. The filo topping adds texture and crunch which works so well with the creamy filling with mustard, leeks and a slight smoky heat from sliced chorizo. Served with moreish sun-dried tomato parmesan mash which has a lovely salty tang from the cheese and some sautéed green beans with caramelised shallots, olives and almonds - the sides really make this dish. This is a special meal which everyone will love.

This is my ultimate quick and easy pasta recipe for when I need a bowl of comfort food fast. It’s the type of food I could just eat and eat and eat. This recipe is not going to reinvent the wheel, but sometimes you just need simple food fast and there is nothing wrong with that.

I haven’t posted a Sunday roast dinner recipe for a while and thought it was time to share a slightly different take on the traditional roast. The marinade on this chicken keeps it so lovely and moist, while the dal is just delicious, full of depth and flavour. This is the type of dish I could just eat and eat and eat. The tomatoes roasted with lemon, garlic and spices adds a burst of sweetness, while naan breads full to the brim of cardamom, spiced coconut and raisins are perfect to mop everything up.

I was very kindly sent some Yondu vegetable umami seasoning and I was really impressed with the deep umami flavour it gives. I decided to create this warming and nutritious vegan mushroom and lentil curry - ideal for veganuary. It’s full of goodness, lots of veggies and plenty of flavour.  Comforting, completely plant based and £1.42 per portion - perfect for brightening up a very chilly January.

Meatballs of any kind will always be one of my favourite meals. Just sheer, unadulterated comfort which never fails to brighten a cold, miserable night. I make mine with high quality beef mince and pork sausage meat for extra flavour, while plenty of ricotta and parmesan cheese keeps them ridiculously light, fluffy but with a salty umami depth.

This chicken biryani has got everything you want - fluffy rice which absorbs the fragrant and aromatic sauce, tender, moist chicken thighs, sweet caramelised onions and a luxurious saffron milk to finish everything off. This is full of flavour and texture and the whole thing is just a hug in a bowl. Plus at £2.01 a portion it’s an affordable, filling dish the whole family will love.

This is my version of the classic recipe, with a few storecupboard twists in there to elevate your normal bolognese to the next level. Little tricks like adding the parmesan rind for salty depth, some whole milk for richness, soy for umami, dark chocolate for a touch of bitter sweetness and red wine vinegar to balance out the acidity all works to make it just a little bit different. It also tastes better after a night or two in the fridge so if you can wait that long do - its worth it.

This is a true one pot dish which makes one chicken go a long way. Roasting the chicken on top of the orzo and vegetables allows all the chicken juices to be absorbed by the pasta grains, making them extra delicious. It’s a great way to enjoy a roast but without the many pots and pans and often hefty price tag. Healthy and so comforting at this time of year, this will become a regular recipe in your household I’m sure.

With it being Burns Night tomorrow, I thought I’d share a different way to enjoy our national dish. It is a slightly more fancy take on the classic haggis, neeps and tatties but it is a very easy to prepare, delicious and filling meal the whole family will love. The haggis bon bons are so moreish - people will be fighting over each other I promise. With an earthy caramelised turnip puree, crispy garlic seasoned turnip carrot crisps, sweet apple sauce and pickled cubes of apple for sharpness and flavour, I am definitely going to be making these again. The bon bons would also be lovely with a roast chicken dinner.

We all need some comfort at this time of year and I don’t think it gets more comforting than a bowl of bread and butter pudding. I love the flavour combinations here, the fruity apricots and apricot jam, fragrant nutty pistachios, aromatic cardamom and sweet white chocolate are all matches made in heaven. For me, bread and butter puddings need a crispy top, gooey middle and lashings of custard. Easy to make, full of flavour and texture, and utterly delicious.

This is a no holds barred dessert. It’s sweet, salty, gooey, crispy, fudgy, nutty and pretty dirty all at the same time. The ice cream is super creamy and rich and with the fudginess of the salted nutty cookie and the slight aromatic flavour from the thyme, you won’t be able to stop digging your spoon in.

Not all chilli con carnes are created equally and this is one of the those chillies. The combination of the beef brisket and pork shoulder works so well together, while the chocolate and coffee add a real depth and richness. I love a slow cooked recipe I can shove in the oven and forget about, and the longer you leave this one, the better. It also always tastes so much better after it’s had a night in the fridge and the flavours have had a chance to develop, so if you can make it a day ahead. If you’re after a special, fuss-free dinner party dish which won’t break the bank then this is the one for you.