As a kid, I loved making meringue. It was the perfect whisk-it-in-a-bowl and bung-it-in-the-oven treat. There was no cream of tartar or zesty lemon juice in my recipe. And there was zero precision or artistry to my method. Barring the odd oven fire, my meringues came out pretty okay, and with little fuss. The perfect meringue is soft and gooey on the inside and crunchy on the outside. It’s my Mum’s go-to pudding: meringues crushed up into pretty glass bowls and topped with thick cream and every kind of berry. This recipe has many more steps than I ever took, and my guess is that her meringues will have a fluffier and more nuanced texture than my sugary messes ever did. But oh, were they fun to make.

Fruit salad was a staple growing up, only I hated fruit, so I’d pick out the strawberries and call it a day. I’m still not keen on fruit salad –– mushy mango, soggy apricots –– but I love the idea of a berry salad. This one has a honey, balsamic dressing, and served with crème fraîche, I can’t think of a nicer way to top off a meal, or start the day, for that matter.

My grandfather hated cheese. I’m not sure if it was the taste or the smell, but cheese, even the mildest ricotta, never entered the home. I have a vivid memory of my grandmother eating a block of Cheddar a week after my grandfather died. It’s kind of amazing the compromises we make for the people we love. She loved cheese. But she loved P.A. more.

When in doubt, these winter months, of what to place on the table, may I suggest the simple offering of a soup and a sandwich. There are few things more comforting than a grilled cheese sandwich, and soup, in a little cast iron pot is quite delightful. Here’s a nice list of soup cookbooks, as well as Nigel Slater’s recipe for carrot and tomato soup. As for the sarni, splurge on bakery bread, and a cheddar worth getting gooey over.

A Bloody Mary is such a middle-aged drink. Maybe it’s because I remember my parents and their friends knocking them back over Sunday lunch. Just the thought of tomato juice, vodka and a celery stick used to send my tummy into a twist. I’m still not a fan of tomatoes, so I’m unlikely to drink one in my adult life. But it does seem like a smart start to the New Year. A fruit. A vegetable. Vodka. This one’s even got a rasher of bacon. Salut!

With ice cream season behind us, (not according to my trio, who would eat soft serve and ice lollies in a snowstorm) it’s now all about chocolat chaud. This recipe from Bon Appetit is super simple. The French give their children hot chocolate as a repas, likely served with fresh madelines and dried fruits. Minus the Medjool dates, I think my kids would be in French heaven.

Maybe it’s the name, Ciambellone, but I love this cake. It looks like a giant doughnut, so simple in its appeal. It’s a tea cake, so serve it as a merenda with a cup of Jasmine, or for breakfast with hot chocolate. My kids, who’s breakfasts and snacks are never so delectable would fall off their stools if this confection landed before them.