It’s time to shine in the kitchen with our delicious, make-ahead recipes

SERVES 4-6 PREP 20 mins plus cooling COOK 50 mins EASY 1 medium pumpkin or butternutsquash2 tbsp olive or rapeseed oilpinch of Aleppo chilli flakes, plusextra to serve (optional)3 tbsp maple syrup100g

This is easy to knock together for a weeknight dinner, but also smart enough for any last-minute guests. SERVES 4-6 PREP 15 mins COOK 45 mins EASY ❄ 50g dried breadcrumbs 100g feta in brine 400g lamb

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

Christmas cooking doesn’t have to mean chaos in the kitchen. In her latest book, The Batch Lady Saves Christmas, Suzanne Mulholland shows how to prep, freeze and glide through the holidays stress-free

SERVES 4-6 | PREP 35 MINS PLUS CHILLING AND RESTING COOK 1 HR 5 MINS | EASY 1 tbsp olive oil1 large onion, finely chopped10g sage, leaves only, finely chopped2 tsp fennel seeds, crushed100g pistachios