Ghoulish Ghost CakesMakes 10 cakes IngredientsFor the cakes:125g (4oz) unsalted butter plus extra for greasing125g (4oz) caster sugar1 tsp vanilla essence2 eggs125g (4oz) self-raising flourCornstarch for dusting For the icing:500g (1lb 2oz) ready-to-roll white icing1 tube of blac...

Houmous is a lovely healthy snack and my children enjoy it with carrot sticks, celery, cucumber batons and slices of red pepper. I accompany it with a tomato, mozzarella, avocado and basil salad, drizzled with olive oil, a toasted wholemeal mini

lot of time and effort by simply treating the adults the same as the children and catering accordingly. Fairy cakes and biscuits always go down well with all ages, and so much the better if they’re home-made5. Nibbles and snacks Keep food simple

Ciabatta is a flavourful variation on ordinary bread and the tomato topping is not only tasty but very nutritious. There’s also great fun to be had cutting the bread creatively into long and nicely shaped slices.Serves 4Ingredients1 small ciabatta loaf120ml (4fl oz) olive oil4 ri...

Little Kitchen by Sabrina Parrini (Hardie Grant, £12.99) Featuring tasty classics, from mini shepherd’s pie to soufflés, this is as child-friendly as it gets. It even lists the equipment you’ll need. Give this delicious, healthy slice a go.Carrot And Courgette SliceIngredients1 t...

IngredientsTraditional Lard Pastry 450 g plain flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 225 g lard, cubed and chilled 1 egg, lightly beaten 1 egg, beaten, mixed with 30 ml milk for egg wash Pork filling1 tbsp olive oil1 small onion, finely diced3 garlic cloves, finely chopped2 small carrots, dic...

There’s nothing quite like a good old sausage roll. Every children’s party I have ever been to has included sausage rolls – and indeed many an adult soirée too. Though they can seem a little retro, sausage rolls are making a comeback, along with all those other Seventies’ dishes ...

These Crispy Garlic And Olive Oil Toasts are even tastier than the usual garlic bread and they are ideal for introducing children to the simple joys of baking. Serves 4Ingredients1 small ciabatta loafA handful of fresh parsley leaves2–3 garlic cloves, halved 100ml (31/2fl oz) oli...

This Nacho flavoured popcorn is a tasty variation on buttered popcorn that one of my Little Kitchen teachers, Lisa, taught my cooking students. Serve it at your next party or for National Popcorn Day –19 January. It’s sure to be a hit!Makes approximately 5 cupsPrep time: 15 minut...

. * Annabel Karmel has a new range of kitchen equipment, including hand blenders and food mills, to take the stress out of preparing baby food. Prices in the Make It Easy range start from £3.99 for weaning pots.* Giggles is a new dairy snack from The Laughing Cow. A