Welcome January to

‘Sharing food with friends and family is a tonic – it lifts the spirits and acts as a soothing balm. So whenever you can, share a meal with others. Set a welcoming table. Pencil in some dates with people you’ve missed.’ As we head into 2021, we’re embracing columnist Joanna Blythman’s advice on page 132. While it may be some weeks before we can get everyone together, we’ll use this time to plan a meal like no other. Influencing this menu will be ingredients we’ve not cooked with before, thanks to Melissa Thompson’s suggested top 10 (p126), cooking skills we’ve acquired in the updated Boost section (p109), and, finally, the dessert to end all desserts: Liberty Mendez’s self-saucing sticky toffee chocolate pudding (p32).

What will be on the menu for your first big meal together again?

Wishing you the happiest start to 2021.

Christine Hayes, editor-in-chief christine.hayes@immediate.co.uk

@bbcgoodfood @Chrishayesuk