Step 1 Heat half the olive oil in a large pan and tip in the onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened but not coloured. Stir in the minced beef and cook for another few minutes until lightly browned, breaking up any lumps with a wooden spoon. Stir in the passata and add the…

Step 1 Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas 4. Heat a casserole dish, add the oil, then tip in the bacon and cook for 3-4 minutes until sizzling. Increase the heat and add the beef and cook for another 6-8 minutes until browned. Remove all the meat with a slotted spoon and add the onions, carrots…

Step 1 To make the bolognaise sauce, heat a large pan. Add the oil with the onion, carrot, celery, garlic and thyme. Cook for 8-10 minutes until the vegetables have softened and taken on a little colour, stirring occasionally. Add the minced beef and mix until well combined, then sauté until well browned, breaking up…

Step 1 To make the gravy, melt half the butter in a large frying pan and add the onions and sugar, then cook over a medium heat for 20-30 minutes until caramelised, stirring occasionally. Pour in the wine and allow to bubble down and then simmer until it has almost disappeared. Stir in the flour…

Step 1 Heat a large, heavy-based pan. Add the oil and sauté the pancetta or bacon for a minute or two until it has begun to crisp and release some of its fat. Add the onion, carrot, celery, garlic, thyme and bay leaf. Cook for 8-10 minutes until the vegetables have softened and taken on…

Step 1 Butter a 1½ litre (2 ½ pint) pudding basin or Pyrex bowl and line the base with a disc of non-stick parchment paper. To make the suet pastry, place the suet in a bowl, sieve over the flour and turmeric, then mix gently. Season lightly and then add the water, a little at…

Step 1 Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas mark 4 Step 2 Cut the quince in half then cut each half into three pieces. Remove the seedy bit in the centre Step 3 Place them in a saucepan with 300ml water, the Marsala, sugar, cinnamon stick and spices. Simmer for 6 minutes or until a sharp…

Step 1 Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas mark 4 Step 2 To make the potato gratin, peel and thinly slice the potatoes, using a mandoline if you have one Step 3 Add the cream, garlic and thyme to a pan and bring to the boil. Reduce the cream by half, add the sliced potato and gently stir…

Step 1 Place all of the ingredients for the brine together in a large pan and bring to the boil. Once it reaches the boil remove from the heat and leave to cool. Once it is cool place the brisket in the brine, making sure it is completely submerged. Refrigerate for a week. Step 2 For…