Keeping a stash of good-quality vanilla icecream in the freezer means you always have an instant dessert at hand. Brew up some strong espresso, flavour it with a little liqueur and you're in business.

Dessert doesn't get much simpler than this - there's something about the combo of hot coffee and icecream that really hits the spot. Or throw together a sundae with a good dollop of icecream, slices of fresh citrus or kiwifruit, chopped glace ginger, some juice from the ginger jar and a crunchy sprinkle of finely crumbed sweet biscuits.