Jollof rice is found throughout West Africa and is thought to be the origin of the Cajun dish, jambalaya. Serve with fried plantains and a crisp green salad.
This recipe makes excellent use of a whole chicken. Serve with rice, or if you have time, homemade roti. This meal, if served as six portions, provides 491kcal, 59g protein, 27g carbohydrate (of which 6g sugars), 15g fat (of which 3g saturates), 7g fibre and 0.7g salt per portion.
I love a good Thai chicken curry, fragrant with spices, chilli and ginger, and creamy with coconut milk. This is my pastry-topped tribute to that dish. Equipment and preparation: for this recipe you will need a 1.2 litre/2 pint pie dish and a lattice cutter.
These mini skewers of spiced chicken make great party food, and are so simple to put together. For this recipe you will need 15 x 15cm/6in bamboo skewers. Can you eat well for less this Christmas? Take the test
A vegetarian and gluten-free recipe using finely chopped cauliflower in place of couscous. This meal provides 445 kcal, 19g protein, 39g carbohydrate (of which 25g sugars), 24g fat (of which 6g saturates), 13g fibre and 0.9g salt per portion.
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.
This take on an Indian potato and cauliflower curry is a brilliant meal to make on the cheap. Each serving provides 342kcal, 11g protein, 41g carbohydrate (of which 11g sugars), 13g fat (of which 4g saturates), 9g fibre and 0.7g salt.
Packed with flavourful ingredients, lighter coconut milk makes this a healthier twist on a Thai favourite. Each serving provides 358 kcal, 14g protein, 47g carbohydrate (of which 6g sugars), 11.5g fat (of which 5g saturates), 6g fibre and 2.1g salt.
Sambhar (the soup) with vada (the doughnuts) is traditionally eaten for breakfast in the south of India and is a staple of street food stalls throughout the region.
People from Durban are very proud of their Bunny Chow and its heritage - a cheap curry from the depression era. The version here is made with meat, but you can substitute with red and white kidney beans.
People from Durban are very proud of their Bunny Chow and its heritage - a cheap curry from the depression era. The version here is made with meat, but you can substitute with red and white kidney beans.
This popular Goan flash-fry makes for a light, refreshing and healthy midweek meal. Equipment and preparation: for this recipe you will need a wok with a lid.
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 South Indian dish goes well with seafood and vegetables. Curry leaves are used frequently in this part of India. When you find a fresh bunch, put them to dry on a towel on top of the boiler, then place them in an airtight jar to use as needed.
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.