Features
by Genevieve Halbert
published on 16 September 2020
Simple Comforts, the new book by Mary Berry, is all about heart-warming, indulgent, and soul-soothing food. With recipes for comforting, family-friendly midweek meals, show-stopping weekend feasts, and luxurious puddings and bakes, Simple Comforts couldn't be more perfect for the chillier autumn and winter months. If you're cooking along tothe accompanying TV series, Simple Comfortson BBC2, we've got something that will make life a lot easier: all the recipes from the show so far in one place. This page will be updated weekly to include all the latest recipes from the series.
Episode 1
Croque Monsieur
The ultimate indulgent brunch, lunch, or snack, Mary Berry's classic Croque Monsieur is made with thick slices of smoked ham, melted Gruyère cheese, and deliciously creamy béchamel.
Get your copy of Mary Berry's brand new book, Simple Comforts, here.
Crab and Herb Blinis with Pickled Fennel Herb Salad
For an elegant dinner party starter or light lunch, try these light, fluffy herb blinis, topped with fresh crab and served with a sharp pickled fennel salad.
Get your copy of Mary Berry's brand new book, Simple Comforts, here.
French Slow-roast Lamb with Ratatouille
This succulent, melt-in-the-mouth lamb is slow cooked on a bed of ratatouille for a deliciously flavoursome, French-inspired Sunday roast.
Get your copy of Mary Berry's brand new book, Simple Comforts, here.
Brioche Frangipane Apple Pudding
Mary Berry certainly knows how to make an irresistibly comforting dessert! This pudding is made with sweet brioche, almond, and slices of apple. Served with cream, ice cream, or hot custard, it's the perfect way to round off an autumnal meal.
Get your copy of Mary Berry's brand new book, Simple Comforts, here.
Episode 2
Toffee Pear Pudding
Thistoffee pear pudding is sheer luxury – the sliced pears contrast wonderfully with the rich, moistsponge, while the sticky toffee sauce adds an extra layer of indulgence.
Get your copy of Mary Berry's brand new book, Simple Comforts, here.
Mixed Bean and Butternut Wrap
Made with sweet roast butternut squash, sour cream,harissa, and fresh herbs, these tasty mixed bean wraps are ideal for a picnic or packed lunch.
Get your copy of Mary Berry's brand new book, Simple Comforts, here.
Thai Salmon with Roasted Vegetables
For a quick, tasty, and healthy dinner, look no further than this Thai-inspired salmon traybake. The salmon, vegetables, and gently spiced sauce are all cooked together in one tin, meaning it's easy to throw together and there's less washing up to do too!
Get your copy of Mary Berry's brand new book, Simple Comforts, here.
Warm Chicken Dill Salad
Mary's fresh-tasting take on the classic Caesar salad combines crispy lettuce and warm seared chicken with fresh dill and dill pickles. It makes for a tasty starter or light lunch.
Get your copy of Mary Berry's brand new book, Simple Comforts, here.
Lemon Posset Tart
This mouth-wateringly zingy lemon posset tart sets in the fridge, so there's no actual baking involved. Mary finishes hers off with a scattering of fresh raspberries.
Get your copy of Mary Berry's brand new book, Simple Comforts, here.
Episode 3
Salmon and Fennel One-pot Wonder
A creamy salmon one-pot delicately flavoured with fennel, parsley, and white wine, this makes for an elegant evening meal or dinner party dish. Mary recommends serving it with rice, mashed potato, grains, or fresh, crusty bread.
Get your copy of Mary Berry's brand new book, Simple Comforts, here.
Slow-roast Hand and Spring with Crackling and Onion Gravy
The hand and spring is a less expensive cut of pork that is particularly suited to slow braising. In this recipe, the meat is left on the bone and cooked very slowly with onions and herbs until it's perfectly tender, then served with crackling and hot gravy.
Get your copy of Mary Berry's brand new book, Simple Comforts, here.
Braised Lamb with Sweet Potato and Haricot Beans
This hearty stew is the kind of dish you dream of on chilly autumn evenings; tender lamb pieces, sweet potato chunks, and creamy haricot beans are cooked in a gently spiced sauce to create a tasty and filling meal.
Get your copy of Mary Berry's brand new book, Simple Comforts, here.
Coffee and Hazelnut Praline Cake
When it comes to show-stopping bakes, Mary never disappoints. This impressive cake consists of two layers of fluffy, coffee-flavoured sponge sandwiched together with buttercream and sweet hazelnut praline.
Get your copy of Mary Berry's brand new book, Simple Comforts, here.
Episode 4
Roast chicken is a strong contender for the ultimate comfort food: it's a nostalgic,crowd-pleasing classic that's perfect for a weekend get-together with family and friends. This flavoursome twist involves tarragon butter and meltingly soft onions.
Get your copy of Mary Berry's brand new book, Simple Comforts, here.
Bolognese Bake
In Mary's no-fuss take on bolognese, penne pastaand meat sauce are cooked all together in one dish, allowing the pastato soak upthe rich, savoury flavours of the ragu. This dish can be assembled up to six hours in advance and popped in the oven when you're ready.
Get your copy of Mary Berry's brand new book, Simple Comforts, here.
Burrata with Heritage Tomato Salad and Bloody Mary Dressing
Creamy burrata and ripe, juicy tomatoes are a match made in culinary heaven, and thisvibrant salad lets both ingredients shine. This would go particularly well with the Bolognese Bake above, and is a perfect way of using up the last of the late-summer tomatoes.
Get your copy of Mary Berry's brand new book, Simple Comforts, here.
Paneer and Roasted Vegetable Curry
This is exactly the kind of dish you need on a chilly autumn evening: gently spiced paneer, cauliflower, and sweet potatoes cooked in a creamy sauce. It's vegetarian comfort food at its finest.
Get your copy of Mary Berry's brand new book, Simple Comforts, here.
Wild Bramble Mousse
The perfect pudding for blackberry picking season; this light, tangy mousse is best served with whipped cream and a scattering of fresh blackberries.
Get your copy of Mary Berry's brand new book, Simple Comforts, here.
Episode 5
Haddock and Shrimp Feast
This one-pot haddock, shrimp, and rice dish is easy enough for a midweek meal, but impressive enough to serve as a dinner party main. It's cooked with white wine and cream, and garnished with chopped parsley and dill for an added flavour boost.
Get your copy of Mary Berry's brand new book, Simple Comforts, here.
Rustic Smoked Trout and Anchovy Pâté
Looking to level-up your lunch hour? This rustic smoked trout and anchovy pâté is the perfect thing to spread on hot toast or seeded crackers.
Get your copy of Mary Berry's brand new book, Simple Comforts, here.
Smoky Firecracker Chicken Drumsticks
Mary recommends these smoky chicken drumsticks as an ideal Bonfire Night snack. They also make for a quick and flavour-packed midweek meal, served with baked or mashed potatoes.
Get your copy of Mary Berry's brand new book, Simple Comforts, here.
Posh Jacket Potatoes
Take those humble baked potatoes to a whole new level with Mary's choice of four delicious toppings. Whether you go for red pepper and goat's cheese, pesto, bacon and mushroom, or soured cream and spring onion, these potatoes are comfort food heaven.
Get your copy of Mary Berry's brand new book, Simple Comforts, here.
Episode 6
Sausage and Red Pepper Hot Pot
This quick and easy one-pot recipe is guaranteed to warm your cockles on a cold winter evening. With the potatoes and vegetables cooked along with the sausages in a tomato sauce, this is a whole meal in itself.
Get your copy of Mary Berry's brand new book, Simple Comforts, here.
Onion, Artichoke and Sage Open Tart
This simple but elegant open tart combines buttery puff pastry with an onion, artichoke, and cheddar cheese filling. Fresh chopped sage adds a subtle, herby flavour.
Get your copy of Mary Berry's brand new book, Simple Comforts, here.
Double-Baked Mushroom Soufflés
Mary's luxurious double-baked mushroom soufflés are made with both Gruyère and Parmesan cheese, and are cooked in a creamy spinach sauce.
Get your copy of Mary Berry's brand new book, Simple Comforts, here.
Mushroom, Lentil and Double Potato Jumble
Made up of a layer of lentils and vegetables in a rich savoury sauce, topped with cheesy potatoes, this vegetarian “jumble” is hearty enough to satisfy veggies and carnivores alike.
Get your copy of Mary Berry's brand new book, Simple Comforts, here.
Chocolate Steamed Pudding with Chocolate Sauce
Why not go all-out and round off your next Sunday roast (or even your Christmas dinner!) with this classic chocolate pudding? The steaming process results in a miraculously light texture, which pairs perfectly with the rich chocolate sauce.
Get your copy of Mary Berry's brand new book, Simple Comforts, here.
