Also known as mutton pies, these have a very long history. In the middle ages, they were frowned upon by the Scottish church, viewed as luxurious, decadent English-style food. In later centuries, they proved to be convenient and sustaining snacks for working people, who would buy them hot from pie-men or pie-wives in the city streets. The space on top of the pie, created by the raised crust, would sometimes be filled with gravy, beans or mashed potato.
Any time of day is a good time for a slice of Greek pie - often eaten on the move as a snack between meals or as a light lunch or evening meal with a salad. Chicken is a favourite filling for pie and it would normally be baked. This version is fried.
This is one of my stalwart recipes that used to only make an appearance when there was a vegetarian over at my house. But then the family began to fall in love with the soft wintry flavours and that creamy white sauce. This white sauce is a shortcut white sauce, everything just gets put in a bowl and stirred, very, very simple and just as tasty as the traditional white sauce.
Bring that festive feeling to your kitchen with some red cabbage simmering on the stove. This recipe can be made in advance, perfect if you are planning for a stress-free Christmas. For this recipe you will need a food processor.
A delicious yeasted cake filled with dried fruit and a swirl of marzipan. It takes time to make but is well worth the effort. Equipment and preparation: for this recipe you will need a large baking tray.
This crowd-pleasing bread sauce recipe by Nigella Lawson is an easy extra for Christmas Day and is just as good served cold with leftovers. The recipe appears in Nigella's book Feast, published by Chatto & Windus.