Carrot cake

How to make carrot cake

The delicious. food team went through a rigorous process of in-depth testing in our kitchens to create a carrot cake recipe that’s nigh-on perfection. And here it is – the recipe and a step-by-step guide.

Chicken Tikka Masala

This is a celebration of Britain’s favourite takeaway dish. You’d be hard-pushed to find a better supper for a Saturday or Sunday evening.

The ultimate doughnut recipe

How to make jam doughnuts

Doughnuts are back - and with good reason. A simple, sweet dough of flour, butter, eggs and yeast is sugary goodness, perfect for dousing in cinnamon sugar, dipping in chocolate or filling with sticky jam.

The ultimate steak and ale pudding

Steak and ale pudding

Try this amazing steak and ale pudding from Valentine Warner. This is heart-warming comfort food at its best.

The ultimate pork pie

How to make pork pie

Pork pie is a classic British meat pie which is sold in varying sizes. While usually eaten cold, as a snack or part of a meal, it is an essential picnic item and a typically British savoury snack often enjoyed with a pint of bitter.

Beef

The best cuts for roasting beef (plus tips on how to do it)

Simple. When you know how...

The meat guide: beef

Steak

How to cook the perfect steak

Jason Atherton, former executive chef of Gordon Ramsay's Maze Grill, shares his secrets on how to cook the perfect sirloin steak to make it into a magnificent meal.

Great steaks

The very best rib recipe

Simply the best sticky spare ribs recipe

A rib recipe worth getting your hands dirty for. Lip-lickingly good on the barbecue or from the grill.

Chicken

How to make the perfect roast chicken

These foolproof tips from Silvana Franco will help you make your roast chicken look and taste truly beautiful.

How to buy poultry and understand ethical eating terms

Baking recipes and tips

Don your pinny and get baking. Everybody's doing it. We have a plethora of advice, cake and bread recipes and baking classes for those of you wanting to hone your skills.

Fish

Julian Biggs’ guide to cooking fish

The head chef of the Hix Oyster & Fish House in Lyme Regis demystifies piscine cuisine by sharing some tried and tested methods for cooking fish.

Fantastic fish dishes

Chutney

How to make chutney

Commercially produced jars of ‘English-style’ chutney have been known to put people off for life, but a proper homemade chutney will have you hooked (and never fails to impress). Check out this step-by-step guide.

Picky eaters

8 ways to get your kids to eat their dinner

We have cunning ways of making them eat.

How to get your kids to eat five a day

Thai

How to make Thai

Don’t be afraid to try your hand at Thai cooking. With this simple guide, you’ll soon be wowing loved ones with authentic-tasting dishes.

How to make pad Thai

Lamb

The best cuts for roasting lamb (plus tips on how)

Tips on how to roast a lamb of mouthwatering succulence.

The meat guide: lamb

Freezing

Freezing soup

Top tips on freezing home-made soups to produce for an easy lunch or at those times when cooking just isn’t an option.

Beans and pulses

Know your beans: How to spot store, soak and cook beans and pulses

When you’re watching your spending, dried beans and pulses make perfect sense. Here's tips and recipes on how to make the best use of these storecupboard staples.

Salad dressing

How to make salad dressings

Creating a good salad dressing is a complex business: which oil to use for which salad, and what kind of vinegar? Our guide will smooth things out.

Pastry

How to make choux pastry

If you’re afraid of making choux pastry – the classic buns used for profiteroles and éclairs – don't be; it's simple.

Chocolate

A bit about chocolate

Titbits about chocolate that will give the advantage in a pub quiz (if nothing else), plus more chocolate recipes than you can shake a stick at.

How to choose the right chocolate, melt it, pipe it, and make chocolate curls

Quick cuts

Quick-cooking cuts

Lately, there's been a lot of focus on cheap joints of meat, which are great for keeping costs down and when you have more time – cheap cuts need longer cooking – but sometimes we need something a bit more instant, so look out for these quick-cooking cuts of beef, lamb and pork.

Marinades and rubs for meat

Time to convert

Cooking conversion tables

In this handy section, you'll find oven temperatures, weights for dry ingredients, liquid measures and tablespoon conversions for the UK, US and Australia – all in one tidy place.

Pastry skills