This is a really hearty fish stew that can be prepared beforehand as long as you cook the fish at the last minute; perfect for a dinner party or for someone special. The beauty about this dish is that the fish is cooked at the last minute so it’s cooked perfectly and by making the base you get massive amounts of flavour.

This classic Tuscan Acquacotta is a packed full of vegetables and enriched with poached egg. A great meal for lunch or dinner, the thick and tasty soup is ideal to warm-up the last weeks of February. Pair with a glass of Morellino di Scansano (which originates from the same region as the dish) and enjoy the weekend.

A good winter soup should have a restorative quality. This Moroccan chicken soup recipe makes a comforting lunch to chase away the chill of a frosty day. It is certainly hearty and substantial enough to keep any hunger pangs at bay until dinner time. As the chicken broth, infused with cardamom, cumin, paprika, cinnamon and coriander bubbles away gently on the stove, it fills the kitchen with spicy warmth which never fails to lift the spirits.
It may seem like a long list of ingredients, but the preparation is very simple. I enjoy the heat of the green chilli, but you can remove the seeds to make it milder if you prefer. The apricots may seem like an unusual addition but they are often used in savoury Moroccan dishes and add a touch of subtle sweetness. If I am at home I often make a quick soda bread to serve with the bowls of steaming soup, but any crusty bread makes a good accompaniment.

A popular Italian breakfast or brunch dish, the ‘purgatory’ in the name refers to the fiery tomato sauce that the eggs are poached in which gets its heat from spicy ’nduja sausage. Francesco Mazzei recommends serving a little extra ’nduja on the side – spread a little on a piece of toasted sourdough to dunk in the runny yolks from a delicious medley of baked, poached and boiled eggs to achieve breakfast perfection.