Darina Allen says mac and cheese is a great dish for the family to cook and leftovers can be reheated

How about a great cook book for the foodie or budding cooks and chefs in your life? 

From the turkey to the roast potatoes, it's everything you need for your festive main course. Plus: watch Darina help prepare all of the sides to go with it!

— Chinese turkey with spicy glaze and toasted peanuts and cheesy gratin of leeks and brussels sprouts

Plus recipes for sherry trifle, chapel window cake and Victoria sponge

— and it's so easy when you know the secret: how to freeze dishes with a potato border around the edge

The Joy of Food , Rory O’Connell’s excellent third book was published by Gill Books at the beginning of October. My signed copy arrived in the post, beautifully wrapped with a limited-edition linen tea towel from Stable.

It’s extraordinary in these uncertain times to think that it’s only eight weeks to Christmas. Already some of us are searching for presents for our loved ones or going to big efforts to secure a longed-for toy for our little dotes.

How about a delicious homemade cake to cheer us all up? I’ve just realised that it’s been several years since I actually wrote a column on cakes, so it’s high time to share some of my favourite sweet treats and new finds.

Just like Mama used to make, Darina Allen's spaghetti and meatballs offers comfort in a week of turbulence