Carrot is wonderfully paired with poppyseed in this simple salad. It will keep in the fridge for 2-3 days so is great for having on hand to add to your lunchbox.
This gently spicy broth is influenced by Oriental cooking where oyster mushrooms are considered a delicacy. It is a wonderfully easy way to celebrate wild mushrooms. Each serving provides 107kcal, 6g protein, 6g carbohydrate (of which 6g sugars), 5g fat (of which 0.8g saturates), 4g fibre and 1g salt.
Sambar is served over rice or with dosas or idlis in Tamil Nadu, and most people eat it every day. This easy lentil soup is topped with a 'tarka' of fried onions with spices. This meal, if served as six portions, provides 192kcal, 5g protein, 16g carbohydrate (of which 5.5g sugars), 11g fat (of which 1.5g saturates), 4g fibre and 1.3g salt.
Whip up a hearty dish of chicken and beans to keep the whole family happy. Do tweak the recipe to suit your veg stocks. This meal, if served as six portions, provides 503kcal, 46g protein, 59g carbohydrate (of which 14.5g sugars), 7g fat (of which 2g saturates), 9g fibre and 1.6g salt per portion.
This comforting casserole is ready in no time, and the crusty topping and zingy pesto add gourmet pizzazz. Equipment and preparation: for this recipe you will need a food processor.
A hearty meal for four in one pot. Tender lamb cooked in a richly flavoured casserole with crisp layered potatoes on top. Each serving provides 455 kcal, 31g protein, 47g carbohydrate (of which 13g sugars), 14g fat (of which 5g saturates), 10g fibre and 1.7g salt.
A budget-friendly soup that's healthy and filling. This soup is perfect for whipping up ahead of time and popping in the freezer. Just leave to cool and store in a freezer-proof container. It will keep in the freezer for up to 2 months. This meal provides 183 kcal, 6g protein, 18.5g carbohydrate (of which 10g sugars), 9.5g fat (of which 1.3g saturates), 6.5g fibre and 1.7g salt per portion.
The point of a stew, it should go without saying, is its flavour rather than its form. So, while the crunchy salad strips of carrot, spring onion and pepper do bring colour and beauty to this otherwise brown study, at the same time their texture and Asian-flavoured bite provide the perfect partner for the rich, aromatic spiciness of the soft-braised stew.
Replace potatoes with root vegetables to reduce the carbohydrates in a chicken traybake and add plenty of spice to turn up the flavour. Each serving provides 361 kcal, 44g protein, 30g carbohydrate (of which 14g sugars), 5.5g fat (of which 1g saturates), 7g fibre and 0.5g salt.
The secret of success in this recipe is to leave the lamb to cook on a very low heat. Serve this springtime dish with plenty of bread to mop up the sauce.
This is a rich and comforting stew that is smart enough to serve for a dinner party. I like to serve it with mashed potatoes or my potatoes dauphinoise and a green vegetable.
A cheap and economical Thai curry. The root veg have a sweet taste that benefits from a little spice. You can freeze the curry in portion-sized amounts, then defrost for a quick meal. (But don't freeze the rice - always cook it fresh.)
You can make your own red curry paste if you wish but you can get away with a good-quality bought one. The secret to forming the quite sloppy mixture is wet hands - honest it works. You can use halibut, sea bass, pollock or coley depending on your budget. Delicious served with this salsa-like sauce.
This hearty vegetarian take on the traditional hotpot has a pretty topping that contains plenty of hidden treasures. Each serving contains 436kcal, 10g protein, 32g carbohydrate (of which 18g sugars), 27g fat (of which 8g saturates), 14 fibre and 0.3g salt.
A richly flavoured soup, spiced with curry powder. Perfect for a cold day, serve with a dollop of tangy sour cream. This meal, if served as five portions, provides 245kcal, 5g protein, 36g carbohydrate (of which 12g sugars), 8g fat (of which 3.5g saturates), 5g fibre and 0.4g salt per portion.
This easy chicken recipe is a great meal to have bubbling away on the stove for a simple supper with friends or a family-friendly mid-week meal. This is designed to be a low cost recipe. This recipe is perfect for batch cooking, cook the chicken sauce and divide it into portions and pop in the freezer, it will keep in the freezer for 2 months. You can cook the potatoes while you reheat the sauce.
Use up leftover chicken carcasses in the Hairy Biker's recipe for a comforting bowl of chicken soup. Each serving provides 134kcal, 10g protein, 21g carbohydrate (of which 0g sugars), 1.5g fat (of which 0.3g saturates), 0.4g fibre and 1g salt.
Try Simon Rimmer's healthy twist on falafel, with a herby yoghurt sauce. Serve with toasted pitta and hummus. Each serving provides 51kcal, 2g protein, 4g carbohydrate (of which 0.5g sugars) 2.5g fat (of which 0.5g saturates), 1.5g fibre and 0.1g salt per portion.
For a proper Sunday lunch that won't break the bank try this beef shin stew. Serve with some creamy mash for a mouthwatering meal. Try the Eat Well for Less quiz to find out how you could cut your food bills.
A super-filling, meat-free wonder. Omit the Worcestershire sauce to make it a hearty vegetarian dinner. Each serving provides 400kcal, 15g protein, 47g carbohydrate (of which 9.5g sugars), 12.5g fat (of which 6g saturates), 9g fibre and 0.6g salt.