Get ready to impress your party guests with these tasty nibbles. Perfect with fizz!

Since time immemorial, we have gathered around open fires. The Ancient Greeks situated their kitchens in the central courtyards of their homes. Britain may have less clement weather, but we are equall

■ 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

Planning and designing a kitchen that functions beautifully for all daily routines, as well as being a joy to spend time in, is a matter of considering how the room will be used by the whole family. ‘

Make your own homeware and trinkets (no kiln required!) with these lovely projects from ceramicist Lolita Olympia

Of all the rooms in the house, the kitchen must surely be the hardest working. Prepping, cooking, eating and socialising make for plenty of use, so surfaces need to be able to withstand wear and tear,