There’s a world of warming, out-of-the-cold flavour to be had with these easy weeknight recipes, bringing light and cheer to your midwinter

RECIPES AND FOOD STYLING POLLYANNA COUPLAND

Cauliflower steak diane with poppy seed wedges Satisfying veggie option

PHOTOGRAPHS INDIA WHILEY-MORTON

Ultimate comfort dish

Chipolata toad-in-the-hole with creamed butternut squash

Sloppy joes with coleslaw potato salad

Speedy stateside classic

A sloppy joe (saucy beef mince in a burger bun) is the perfect dish for when you want some all-American comfort food but it’s too cold to light the barbecue. Even better, the filling is ready in just 25 minutes (unlike a ragù, which should be simmered for hours). Serve with our barbecue side hybrid: coleslaw potato salad

Creamy trout and caper linguine

New pasta favourite

This satisfying dish proves cooking fish is easier than you might think. Trout fillets are baked with lemon and dill, then stirred into a creamyyet-zingy caper sauce. Quick, tasty and a little bit indulgent – perfect!

Cauliflower steak diane with poppy seed wedges

Serves 2

Hands-on time 30 min Oven time 40 min

DON’T WASTE IT

The leftover cauliflower is ideal for making a soup or pureé. Don’t throw away the cauliflower leaves either – they’re delicious roasted with a drizzle of oil and a sprinkle of salt – or save them for making kimchi.

EASY SWAPS

No brandy to hand? Use white wine and simmer for a few minutes instead of setting it alight. It won’t be a true diane sauce but it’ll still be tasty.

• 2 large floury potatoes (such as maris piper)

• Vegetable oil to coat and fry

• 1 tsp poppy seeds

• 1 cauliflower

• 30g unsalted butter

• 4 garlic cloves (2 bashed but skins left on, 2 finely sliced)

• 6 thyme sprigs

• 1 banana shallot, finely chopped

• 100g button mushrooms, sliced

• 100ml cognac or brandy (see Easy Swaps)