With summer in the rearview, it’s time to embrace all the cosy nights and cooking opportunities that September brings.

Cauliflower cheese, deconstructed

All the comfort-filled joy of a proper cauliflower cheese, but without the excessive levels of washing up. By swapping the béchamel-making for a whole melted camembert on top of the florets, these flatbreads become a pizza-cauli cheese hybrid that’ll get everyone drooling.

Make roast cauliflower cheese garlic flatbread

Let's stay in

Feeling the pull of the sofa and a night off cooking? Ditch the spendy takeaway in favour of Waitrose No.1 Food Lovers' Dine Ins, a certified mix-and-match heaven of continental and British classics.

Shop No.1 Food Lovers' Dine In

DINNER TONIGHT

Roll on the meatballs

Roasting meatballs keeps their shape intact and means you’re not tethered to the hob. Piled onto a bed of chickpea purée, they’re a weeknight winner.

Make coriander pork meatballs with chickpea purée & labneh

SIP OF THE WEEK

Savvy buy

This light, juicy Chilean Savvy B punches well above its price tag. Balancing aromatic fruitiness with refreshing crispness, it’s a great-value pour that partners perfectly with simple chicken and light pasta dishes.

Shop Luis Felipe Edwards Bin Series Sauvignon Blanc

This week on Dish

TopJaw’s Jesse Burgess is treated to Cantonese-style lemon chicken when he drops in to chat about Michelin stars, his unusual taste in toast toppings, and the joy of sausages.

See the recipe

SHOPPING

Things we're buying this week

SHOPPING

Things we're buying this week

Katie Leonard (aka influencer @thehumblepescatarian) shares the ingredients she swears by for her signature no-fuss food

Cooks’ Ingredients Umami Paste

“Intense flavour that’s perfect for adding oomph – and a little goes a long way. Try mixing half a teaspoon with one tablespoon of water for an instant flavour boost over fried eggs.”

Shop Umami Paste

Waitrose Cinnamon Buns

"Where would I be without these? Soft, sweet and beautifully spiced with lashings of cinnamon. I pop mine in the microwave for 15-20 seconds to warm through.”

Shop Cinnamon Buns

Waitrose Italian Vegetarian Hard Cheese

“This is always in my fridge. It packs as much punch as parmesan and is a must-have for vegetarians.”

Shop Italian Vegetarian Hard Cheese

Cooks’ Ingredients Mediterranean Style Vegetables

"An absolute staple in my freezer drawer. Super convenient and time-saving, it makes a superb base for so many dishes and adds extra veggies with zero chopping time.”

Shop Med Style Vegetables

IN MY BASKET

Waitrose Essential Lentils are Amy Sheppard’s wallet-friendly staple

The food writer and cookbook author uses these storecupboard saviours in place of meat. Try them in her lentil cheeseburger bowl recipe

Waitrose Essential Lentils in Water are Amy Sheppard’s wallet-friendly staple

“I'm not sure there’s an ingredient that’s as versatile, full of goodness and budget-friendly as a can of lentils. Waitrose Essential Lentils are already cooked, so are an easy way to add protein and fibre to salads and soups. They also have a satisfyingly earthy texture so make an excellent meat substitute.”

Shop Waitrose Essential Lentils

Beat the back-to-school scaries

September’s issue of Waitrose Food has landed, and it’s all about the best bits of getting back into routine. Pick up your free copy, worth £5, with a My Waitrose card.

Join the club