Sarah Butler: My recipes for comforting cottage pie and sweet potato soup

Serving up cosy comfort in a bowl with some handy winter warmers

The kind of food that tastes like a hug

This week’s recipes are two firm favourites in my house. It is most definitely soup season, those dark, chilly days call for comfort, and cosy one-bowl meals to tuck into when you get in from the cold. The sweet potato, carrot, and sage soup is incredibly easy to make and brings pure warmth in a bowl. It reheats beautifully and is perfect for lunchboxes, especially if you pop it into a thermal flask to keep it hot.

Cottage pie is a classic, but never dull. Make it ahead of time and simply pop it in the oven at teatime. With rich homemade gravy and creamy mash, it’s the ultimate simple yet satisfying meal. I love it because it uses budget friendly mince, basic vegetables and everyday staples. A little really does go a long way, especially if you bulk up the vegetables.