Gone are the days when we had to slave over a stove for hours to impress our guests; what we want today is nourishing, comforting food that’s just a little bit special. Serve a simple supper of Hearty Winter Soup; a light lunch of Ham, Fig, Mozzarella, and Basil Tart; or a Slow-cooked Leg of Lamb that will look after itself while you look after your guests. There are plenty of ideas for rounding off a meal—try a Rhubarb and Orange Cake, Plum Ice Cream, or a Pine Nut Tart. Seasoned with plenty of tips on cooking and entertaining, this is a treasure trove of recipes that you will turn to again and again. Alison Price, a professional party planner, is also the author of Weddings and Perfect Parties. Nanette Newman is an actress and author; her previous book was Take Two Cooks.