Toast, soup, a bake, a biscuit… When the days are dark and cold, you want simple recipes with a nod to nostalgia and childhood comforts, but with flavours that feel right for now

Maximise your new year reset with these clever ...

■ Serves 6 ■ Prep 20 mins ■ Cook 2 hrs 10 mins 1 tbsp olive oil750g lamb neck, cut into chunks4 carrots, cut into chunks1 red onion, cut into wedges400ml chicken stock, plus extrafor the couscous400g

A fan of classic cauliflower cheese? Try this cheesy celeriac bake recipe for a twist on this winter comfort food. Wedges of roasted celeriac are coated in a rich, melting Cheddar sauce and scattered

The cook Amber Guinness was brought up in Tuscany and here she shares recipes that celebrate the region

Pearl barley creates robust, nutty texture and, while it takes longer to cook than rice, it’s worth the effort. Dairy adds richness – we’ve gone for a triple hit with brown butter, mascarpone and goat