We all have certain foods which comfort us because they remind us of childhood. Dishes that our parents prepared for us always retain a special place in our hearts. For Nigella, her ultimate ‘desert island dish' is her mother's steak bearnaise and, for dessert, her grandmother's poached pears with vanilla ice cream and dark, luscious chocolate sauce. But Nigella's love of food goes way beyond her favourite childhood dishes. There are a number of great cookery writers whom she feels have played an important role in her life. In her extensive library – which she refers to as her ‘acquired family,' she shares one of her favourite Claudia Rodenrecipes – tagliatelli with chicken, toasted pinenuts and sultanas; a succulent meaty dish and ‘family food at its best.' Nigella loves to cook with her children and what better way to teach them the fundaments of cooking than to involve them in the fun of the process. Nigella's special and easy to prepare recipe for her children is greencakes – small pâtés of broccoli, peas and potatoes which are dipped in breadcrumbs and fried. What better way to get children to eat their greens! One of Nigella's favourite family puddings is a passion fruit pavlova and she shares her secret of the ultimate meringue – beautifully crisp on the outside and marshmallow-y on the inside.