On the menu since Al Brown opened doors at Depot in 2011, Sugar Pie epitomises the knack Al has for creating signature dishes with just a handful of great ingredients. Here a perfect crust is filled with eggs, brown sugar and cream. Al was introduced to this dessert in…”

“Why pay a fortune for fancy crackers when you can make your own? These crisp, twice-baked treats are simple, customisable and delicious. The apricot and nut flavourings are a personal favourite — sweet, nutty and irresistible!” - Anna Cameron

“This quiche has its origins in France, but it has become a firm favourite in homes across the world for its simplicity and divine flavours. With a buttery pastry crust and a creamy egg filling, it’s a satisfying dish that’s perfect for lunch.” - Anna Cameron

“This pretty sweet treat is so easy to whip up that the hardest part is waiting for the pastry to defrost!” - Nabula El Mourid

“This salad looks stunning on the table. I love the combination of flavours and textures – the crunch of the chickpeas works beautifully with the softly spiced cauliflower. It’s definitely one to try.” - Anna Cameron

“Busy little monkeys will love this tasty, crispy snack on the run. (Just don’t mention that they’re packed with vegetables!)” - Nabula El Mourid

“The orzo beautifully absorbs the flavour-soaked juicy lamb in this dish, which the little ones will love as much as the bigger ones.” - Nabula El Mourid

“These tacos are a family favourite, and they’re also great for parties, as ‘fakeaways’ or a way to get your kids to eat more veggies. I tell my kids it’s crispy chicken and they’re yet to question me (they’re only three and five).” - Olivia Galletly

“This fudge brownie is definitely for the adults, as it’s filled with rum-soaked raisins, prunes, dried figs and warming spices. It’s delicious any time of year but it does make for a classy Christmas treat. I like to keep it in the fridge so it’s chewy.” - Olivia Galletly

“I came up with this recipe when I was dreaming about Christmas ham one day. The glaze is sweet, sticky and ever so slightly bitter. Chicken legs, which comprise the thigh and drumstick, are the most flavourful part of the bird, and are made even better with a sweet glazed crispy skin.” - Olivia Galletly

“Breakfast classic. ’Nuff said. Enjoy!” - Melanie Persson

“These are the cinnamon rolls I hunted for desperately in the years after my coeliac diagnosis. Funnily enough, cinnamon rolls weren’t even one of my favourite things when I could eat gluten, but when it was taken off the table, cravings for those soft, sweet rolls really kicked in and I couldn’t find a good substitute anywhere. Until I made these…” - Melanie Persson

“Our charred broccoli has been a fan fave on the menu from day one, and rightfully so! The smoky char, the crunch of the green broccoli and the almonds, and flavour of the garlic all come together to make a nutritious and delicious dish. Everyone who’s tried to recreate this recipe at home…”

“I love this pudding because it perfectly combines two of my all-time favourite sweet treats – carrot cake and sticky date or sticky toffee pudding. It was actually initially inspired by a traditional North Indian dessert called halwa, which is made by cooking…”

A pox on butter prices! We’re baking anyway. Have you seen the price of butter? Of course you have. You live here. It's depressing, especially if you love to bake. But here’s some good news on that front: cakes made with oil (even the budget stuff) are just as tender, often lighter, and stay delectably soft for longer than a butter-based bake. This plush, lemony number is…

“There are a few key things to bear in mind with blended drinks. Try to have everything cold when it goes into the blender; dropping room-temperature ingredients on ice will just cause it to melt and you’ll be left with a runny drink. About 250 g (1 cup) of ice per drink is good. Because the cold numbs your flavour receptors, you can pump up the sweetness more than you usually would in a drink, otherwise they taste thin…”

“As I mentioned in the recipe for the puree used here (see page 97), the Bellini format of puree and sparkling wine is ripe for switching up with seasonal fruit. The Bellini was invented at Harry’s Bar in Venice, which I was lucky enough to visit a few years ago and had a great time. Their peach puree is literally just muddled peaches with very little sugar, so drinks more like peach juice. I prefer the texture from a bit more sugar…”

“We all know and love a Piña Colada, but it doesn’t have a monopoly on fruity, creamy cocktails. One of my other favourites is the Batida, a Brazilian drink. ‘Batida’ literally means ‘shaken’, and is quite a loosely defined combination of cachaça, fruit and lime, often with a creamy element of coconut milk or condensed milk. Cachaça is a sugar-cane spirit – essentially a Brazilian rum – so you can easily substitute it with…”

“Using store-bought buns and Chinese BBQ duck make these fast to rustle. If you don’t live near a BBQ shop, cook duck breasts instead, which is easier than you might think. You can prep all the recipe components ahead of time — just keep the steamed buns covered with a damp tea towel to stop them drying out. For easy entertaining, set everything up buffet-style and let your guests build their own — it's fun that way!”

“Aperitivo isn’t just a pre-dinner snack; it’s a whole laid-back moment. Think lazy afternoons, golden hour light, and that magical sweet spot where you’re not quite hungry but definitely ready for something to nibble. This platter is your ticket to Med-style snacking without any fuss: briny olives, crunchy almonds, salty crisps, and buttery Manchego — all anchored by a smoky, creamy pepper dip for those crisps…”