In the first episode, Nigella shares new discoveries like her Turkish-inspired eggs, as well as old-fashioned favourites including the aptly named queen of puddings. For a relaxed get together around the table, Nigella rustles up a gloriously simple chicken and pea traybake. For times of urgent need, there are her emergency brownies, and she finds a new use for a spiralizer.

Nigella Lawson serves up five irresistibly easy dishes, recipes which combine the comfort of the familiar and the exuberance of the new. Nigella rustles up her favourite weekend breakfast special, wonderfully light surefire-success waffles. She shares her go-to recipes for laidback entertaining: Beef and Aubergine Fatteh, accompanied by bulgar wheat with flaked almonds and nigella seeds. That's followed by her passionfruit ice-cream cake, which is a dream to eat and a doddle to make. And late night inspiration comes in the form of a toasted Brie, Parma ham and fig sandwich.

For a lunch with friends, Nigella's herbed leg of lamb is relaxingly simple to prepare, served with garlicky roast potatoes with oregano and feta. That's followed by her voluptuously soft and rich chocolate olive oil mousse. For a delicious snack that's unbelievably moreish, there's nigella's coconut shrimp with turmeric yogurt – hot crisp prawns with a cool smooth dipping sauce. And her ginger and walnut carrot cake never fails to win over friends and family.

Another serving of irresistible dishes as Nigella shares some of her go-to favourites. For the perfect start to the day there's a breakfast inspired by her university days, fried bread and tomato hash. A speedy meal comes in the form of a simple and tasty pasta dish with anchovies, tomatoes and mascarpone. Nigella's friends are treated to a vegan feast, with a rambunctiously vibrant utternut and sweet potato curry served with her coriander and jalapeno salsa. That is followed by a moreish lemon tendercake served with blueberry compote, which was inspired by a trip to Kansas City.

Nigella shares ideas for feasts throughout the day. Nigella's savoury take on French toast is an ideal choice for weekend brunch or a comforting and quick supper. With friends to entertain, Nigella rustles up an informal Mediterranean dish for dinner - juicy spiced lamb kofta with garlic sauce. For pudding, her guests are treated to a delicate-tasting rose and pepper pavlova with strawberries, inspired by her grandfather's penchant for strawberries with a grinding of pepper. There is also an aromatic golden egg curry and a delicious white chocolate cheesecake.

Nigella cooks more warming, comforting and inspirational recipes. Perfect for winding down at the end of a long day, there's a cosy supper of chicken with red grapes and marsala, followed by a deeply divine sunken chocolate amaretto cake with crumbled amaretti cream dolloped alongside. For a dish that's as simple to make as it is rewarding to eat, there's Nigella's mussels with pasta, and just as delicious is her autumnal radicchio, chestnut and blue cheese salad. Her egg tortilla pie with a crisp crust, soft yolked eggs, salty ham and melted cheese is a pleasure to behold.

Nigella decamps to the countryside for her cosiest Christmas yet. Against a backdrop of crackling log fires and sparkling lights, Nigella shares her tips for relaxed entertaining, bringing new flavours to the festivities and the cosiness of familiar fare.