For many gardeners, rhubarb, along with tomatoes, courgettes and beans, is a garden staple – and it might well be one of the first plants introduced to the plot! There are so many reasons for this dec

SERVES 8-10 PREP 20 mins plus cooling and 1 hr macerating COOK 45 mins EASY 200g butter, softened, plus extrafor the tin200g golden caster sugar4 eggs200g self-raising flour1 tsp baking powder2 tbsp m

This impressive plan-ahead Christmas lunch from Flora Shedden is a mouthwatering mix of traditional recipes and deliciously unexpected flavours

Cooking apples

Why not make this year’s Christmas cake in a slow cooker? You’ll save on energy costs and be rewarded with a delicious cake that’s full of plump dried fruit and cherries. SERVES 18-20 PREP 15 minsplus

THIS MONTH Christmas cake