This lactovegetarian butternut squash and sweet potato tart was one of the first recipes I ever created, way back in the Dark Ages when I was still a teenager. With its creamy, slightly sweet filling balanced with herby onions, peppers and black olives, it immediately proved a crowdpleaser that I've dished up to successive generations of plant-based dinner guests.

A tarragon chicken pie made with puff pasty; a fancy version of chicken and mushroom pie. Chicken, shallots, mushrooms, celery and lardons all infused with booze and tarragon in a creamy sauce