Once you’ve made the creamy leek sauce for the pie, you can add any cooked meat you fancy or cooked mushrooms and squash for a veggie version. ■ Serves 4 ■ Prep 10 mins ■ Cook 50 mins 300g cooked chic

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

SERVES 4 PREP 30 mins COOK 1 hr 20 mins EASY ❄ ragu 2 duck breasts, skin removed2 tbsp olive oil1 onion, finely chopped1 tsp fennel seeds2 garlic cloves1 bay leaf½ small pack parsley, leaves picked,st

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

■ Serves 6 ■ Prep 15 mins ■ Cook 40 mins 1kg Bramley apples, peeled½ lemon, juiced175g golden caster sugar¼ tsp ground cinnamoncustard or ice cream, to serveFOR THE CRUMBLE350g plain flour175g salted

PREP TIME: 10 MINS COOK TIME: 5 MINS CALS: 727 FAT: 43G SAT FAT: 16G CARBS: 49G SERVES 1 This fridge-raider sandwich is bursting at the seams with tasty odds and ends. YOU WILL NEED 2 large slices stu