Vegetarian

Roasting grapes intensifies their sweetness, which works well with the creamy Stilton and sharp pickled walnuts in this salad. Heap it on the garlicky toasts for a sofa supper

The paneer and green chutney can be prepped a few hours ahead for this Indian-inspired snack

Topped with a dollop of mango chutney, these are the perfect little flavour bombs to serve with drinks. Gram flour is made from chickpeas; it adds a delicious nutty flavour to the pakoras and is also suitable for guests who are gluten intolerant

A few years ago, chef Paul Ainsworth devised this dish as a simple side for his Italian-style restaurant, Caffè Rojano. The result was unexpectedly delicious; the parsnips, coated in breadcrumbs, turned delightfully crisp, resembling chips. They’re the ideal side with your Christmas meal and will no doubt become a staple for future celebrations

The perfect antidote to the rich, festive fare we all find ourselves indulging in at this time of year. It really brings the best out of simple seasonal ingredients.

A layer of crispy golden cheese takes a standard broccoli side dish to new heights

Recipes with minimal ingredients get a great boost from miso, which lends lots of flavour with minimum effort here

We all love a bit of theatre at the dinner table! This dramatic dessert is a great alternative to the flamed Christmas pudding. Setting the stack on fire melts the brandy butter balls over the brownies, making them deliciously squidgy

Peas not only lend colour and sweetness to this soup – when roasted with spices, they add texture as a crunchy garnish too