To test if baguettes are ready to bake, gently press dough with your fingertip. The indentation left by your finger should slowly disappear. If the dough springs up quickly, more proving time is needed. If the indentation remains, the dough has been left to prove too long. The baguette will not rise as much during baking but the end result will taste the same.

If you’re looking for an impressive centrepiece for your Christmas table, look no further than this majestic fish pie. A French adaptation of a traditional Russian recipe, Coulibiac contains layers of rice, mushrooms, eggs, and salmon, all wrapped in rich, buttery shortcrust pastry. This is a real festive showstopper!

Please refer to The Basic Cookbook for the Chicken Stock Paste recipe.

This is a good dish for entertaining as it can be prepared ahead of time and baked when guests arrive.

The duck breasts in this recipe are gently steamed and then pan-seared, resulting in tender meat that is beautifully infused with spices. The sweet and sour glaze, together with the vegetables and rice, make this a complete main dish. And do try the vegetarian version with tofu – an excellent alternative to duck.