Cafod, which is the Official Catholic aid agency for England and Wales, is preparing to launch the cookbook titled "Friday Suppers".

Proceeds from the book will help Cafod to support people living in poverty.

The cookbook, which contains 40 meat-free recipes, was written by Pauline Curran, who is a former recipe tester for UK TV host and cooking writer Delia Smith.

The latter has given the cookbook a hearty endorsement.

"When Pauline opened the boot of her car and nonchalantly unloaded masses of the most delicious food for one of our parish parties, I recognised instantly that she had a very special talent," said the celebrity recipe writer.

"She has a deep faith and like many of us is concerned that so many people in the world do not have enough to eat."

The recipes in Friday Suppers include "Thai salmon with noodles" and "Spanish tuna salad with peppers, olives and artichokes".

A children's section includes recipes for "sweetcorn fritters" and "eggs en cocotte".

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The television cook attends Mass every day and has written cookery books with religious themes including A Feast for Lent and A Feast for Advent as well as a book on prayer called Journey into God.

Once named one of the UK's top ten most influential Catholics, she has now hinted that she might turn her handing to promoting the religion in some way.

She told a Sunday newspaper: "I can reach people who would like to cook but are finding it difficult. It's the same with the spiritual. If people want it, I would like to be able to point them in the right direction."