Pancakes are a timeless way to use up leftovers. Shrove Tuesday (17 Feb) is the day before the start of Lent (Ash Wednesday) – it was the last opportunity to use up eggs and fats before Lent’s fasting

Inspiring seasonal ideas and recipes

For years we’ve been told to cut back on dairy, but new research suggests milk, cheese and yogurt might be doing far more for us than we ever realised

■ Makes 16 ■ Prep 1 hr plus cooling and 10 mins chilling ■ Cook 12 mins 100g unsalted butter, softened175g caster sugar, plus extrafor sprinkling1 egg1 tsp vanilla paste200g plain flour, plus extrafor

My kitchen is filled with seemingly nondescript objects that mean a great deal to me: my mum’s wooden-handled fish slice and masher; her pans; the knives and forks I used while I was growing up; a tea

Beans on toast meets cheese on toast, but with a twist. This version is all about umami Marmite, melty Cheddar and big, creamy butter beans – plus some tart pickled shallots to cut through it all. We