Comfort food

Comfort food satisfies the soul as well as the stomach - which is why we love it so. Often the dishes remind us of childhood, even school dinners. Cooking up that shepherd's pie your mum used to make is as soothing as eating it - and it reminds you of a time when life was simpler.

savouries to soothe
Make the perfect mashDelicious roast chickenSlow-cook your way to happinessThe mother of all comforters: chicken soup Bangers with bite Roast vegetable lasagna A traditional roast Really good roast potatoes

celebrity chef comforts
Delia Smith's pork chops with sage and apples Clare Ferguson's chicken pot pie Nigel Slater's creamy pasta Sophie Grigson's fish gratin Gordon Ramsay's bread and butter pudding with Baileys Nigella Lawson's chocolate fudge cake

soups and stews
Hearty soups to console Stews to soothe your soul Tomato and red pepper soup Lentil soup Carrot and coriander soup Vegetable and pasta soup
puddings that pamper
The power of pudding Chocolate fever British pudsCheesecake heavenJelly for grown-upsClassic chocolate cakes Brownie points