Pork belly is a fantastic and relatively inexpensive cut of meat. The generous covering of fat gives great flavour, brilliant crackling and prevents the meat drying out. Tom serves his with a fresh salsa to cut through the richness of the dish and lentils to provide substance.
Pork belly is a fantastic and relatively inexpensive cut of meat. The generous covering of fat gives great flavour, brilliant crackling and prevents the meat drying out. Tom serves his with a fresh salsa to cut through the richness of the dish and lentils to provide substance.
Use any vegetables you like for this dish. Here Raymond Blanc uses fennel, red onion, violet artichokes, chicory and plenty of garlic cooked slowly to extract the sugars, giving a wonderful flavour and a soft melting texture. Each serving provides 846kcal, 30g protein, 55g carbohydrate (of which 25g sugars), 52g fat (of which 11g saturates), 16g fibre and 2.2g salt.
Use any vegetables you like for this dish. Here Raymond Blanc uses fennel, red onion, violet artichokes, chicory and plenty of garlic cooked slowly to extract the sugars, giving a wonderful flavour and a soft melting texture. Each serving provides 846kcal, 30g protein, 55g carbohydrate (of which 25g sugars), 52g fat (of which 11g saturates), 16g fibre and 2.2g salt.
This easy chilli is enlivened by a salsa crammed with healthy vegetables and creamy avocado. The spiciness can be adjusted to suit your taste. This meal provides 393 kcal, 30g protein, 12g carbohydrate (of which 10g sugars), 23g fat (of which 7g saturates), 4g fibre and 0.4g salt per portion.
This easy chilli is enlivened by a salsa crammed with healthy vegetables and creamy avocado. The spiciness can be adjusted to suit your taste. This meal provides 393 kcal, 30g protein, 12g carbohydrate (of which 10g sugars), 23g fat (of which 7g saturates), 4g fibre and 0.4g salt per portion.
This easy chilli is enlivened by a salsa crammed with healthy vegetables and creamy avocado. The spiciness can be adjusted to suit your taste. This meal provides 393 kcal, 30g protein, 12g carbohydrate (of which 10g sugars), 23g fat (of which 7g saturates), 4g fibre and 0.4g salt per portion.
San Marzano tomatoes have dense flesh and a rich, sweet flavour. They are considered by many chefs to make the best tomato sauce, but good quality plum tomatoes could be substituted.
San Marzano tomatoes have dense flesh and a rich, sweet flavour. They are considered by many chefs to make the best tomato sauce, but good quality plum tomatoes could be substituted.
Roasting the tomatoes first gives this quick tomato sauce a smoky edge. Stir through pasta with a handful of olives. This meal, if served as three portions, provides 164kcal, 3g protein, 16g carbohydrate (of which 16g sugars), 9g fat (of which 1.5g saturates), 5g fibre and 0.2g salt per portion.
Roasting the tomatoes first gives this quick tomato sauce a smoky edge. Stir through pasta with a handful of olives. This meal, if served as three portions, provides 164kcal, 3g protein, 16g carbohydrate (of which 16g sugars), 9g fat (of which 1.5g saturates), 5g fibre and 0.2g 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.
This pie would make a wonderful centrepiece for a family meal. My granddaughters Abby and Grace helped me to make it for the TV programme. For this recipe you will need a 1.75 litre/3 pint shallow, wide-based ovenproof dish, about 25cm/10in in diameter.
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.
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 gorgeous pie plays on the wonderful affinity between pork and apples. The fruit gives a subtle sweetness to the cider-enriched gravy and the sage lends an aromatic note. Equipment and preparation: you will need a 1.2 litre/2lb 12oz pie dish and a pie funnel.
A one-pot dish that's easy to prepare and serve a crowd. Pollack is a cheaper variety of white fish and is perfect for poaching in the flavourful stew.
A one-pot dish that's easy to prepare and serve a crowd. Pollack is a cheaper variety of white fish and is perfect for poaching in the flavourful stew.
These flavour combos are not a reinvention of the wheel, but a simple seductive supper none-the-less. I have to do away with knives and forks for these little lamb chops and with messy fingers gnaw off the meat, right down to the bone.
Chowder is a hearty bowl of food - here the smoked haddock is paired perfectly with sweet leeks and crunchy sweetcorn. Each serving provides 258kcal, 23g protein, 18g carbohydrate (of which 9g sugars), 10g fat (of which 6g saturates), 4g fibre and 1g salt.
Mary Berry shows you how to cook a turkey crown - deliciously flavoured with orange and thyme - in 10 easy steps. This meal, if served as 10 portions, provides 335kcal, 56g protein, 7g carbohydrate (of which 3.5g sugars), 8g fat (of which 4g saturates), 0.4g fibre and 0.9g salt per portion.
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.
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.
Add a little luxury to spring greens by stir frying them with nuts and bacon. It also works well with savoy cabbage in winter months. This dish provides 233 kcal, 9g protein, 4g carbohydrate (of which 3g sugars), 20g fat (of which 3.5g saturates), 5.5g fibre and 0.9g salt per portion.
This is one of my stalwart recipes that used to only make an appearance when there was a vegetarian over at my house. But then the family began to fall in love with the soft wintry flavours and that creamy white sauce. This white sauce is a shortcut white sauce, everything just gets put in a bowl and stirred, very, very simple and just as tasty as the traditional white sauce.
This is one of my stalwart recipes that used to only make an appearance when there was a vegetarian over at my house. But then the family began to fall in love with the soft wintry flavours and that creamy white sauce. This white sauce is a shortcut white sauce, everything just gets put in a bowl and stirred, very, very simple and just as tasty as the traditional white sauce.
Fruity spelt brings an inventive twist to classic roast chicken in this dish. Serve with kale and leeks for a healthy Sunday roast. This meal, if served as six portions, provides 520kcal, 56g protein, 46g fat (of which 6g sugars), 12g fat (of which 3g saturates), 4g fibre and 0.6 salt per portion.
Mediterranean flavours pack in punch here and would work just as well with sea bass or tuna. This meal provides 551 kcal, 39g protein, 11g carbohydrate (of which 8g sugars), 36g fat (of which 4.5g saturates), 2.6g fibre and 1.7g salt per portion.
Although this is a veggie roast, this truly is a meal fit for a king. I admit this is not the shortest of recipes, but it is really satisfying to make and the pastry is brilliantly quick and simple. For this recipe you will need an 18cm/7in springform cake tin.
Served with a lemony rocket salad, these delicious tarts make a great summer dish. Equipment and preparation: For this recipe you will need 4 x 10cm/4in loose-bottomed tart tins.
Served with a lemony rocket salad, these delicious tarts make a great summer dish. Equipment and preparation: For this recipe you will need 4 x 10cm/4in loose-bottomed tart tins.
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.
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.
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.
Sometimes only a steak will do, but they tend to be very fatty. Using lean fillet steak helps keep the calories down and serving it with baked onion rings, salad and sweet potato fries mean you're still getting a good amount of vegetables. Each serving provides 527 kcal, 38g protein, 50g carbohydrate (of which 12.5g sugars), 17.5g fat (of which 5.4g saturates), 8g fibre and 0.6g salt.
The weather needs to be sizzling hot to really enjoy an ice cold glass of gazpacho. This recipe makes savoury pastry twists to set off its punchy flavour.
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.
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.
Dried morel mushrooms have a more pronounced flavour than fresh, and they are now available in good supermarkets. This easy chicken recipe sings with their earthy flavours and would go perfectly with a dry Jura white wine.
A beautiful vegetarian Easter feast, this authentic Italian pie is stuffed with fresh greens and rich eggs and is perfect for eating throughout the summer.
A beautiful vegetarian Easter feast, this authentic Italian pie is stuffed with fresh greens and rich eggs and is perfect for eating throughout the summer.
This delicious cannelloni recipe is perfect for a vegetarian main course. Each serving contains 587kcal, 32g protein, 32g carbohydrate (of which 10g sugars). 36g fat (of which 17g saturates), 2.5g fibre and 2.6g salt.
This delicious cannelloni recipe is perfect for a vegetarian main course. Each serving contains 587kcal, 32g protein, 32g carbohydrate (of which 10g sugars). 36g fat (of which 17g saturates), 2.5g fibre and 2.6g salt.
Sweet roast beetroot and shallots mixed with seasonal veg warmed in a sharp sour-sweet dressing. Add mozzarella and a final blue cheese dressing for heaven on a plate.
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.
Nigel Slater jazzes up traditional pea and ham soup with posh pancetta for a quick meal that's ready in next to no time. Each serving provides 242kcal, 21g protein, 14.5g carbohydrate (of which 3.5g sugars), 10g fat (of which 4 6 saturates), 5g fibre and 1.6g salt.
Mary's take on the classic Mediterranean tricolore salad but with cucumber instead of mozzarella and added chicken. Each serving provides 382kcal, 27g protein, 12g carbohydrate (of which 10g sugars), 24g fat (of which 4g saturates), 6g fibre and 0.6g salt.
These tasty burgers are perfect as an easy mid-week meal, or for a barbecue. In fact, the tomato relish goes well with any grilled meat, from steaks and chops to bangers.
You can either make the dough from scratch for this pizza, which takes no time at all, or for an even speedier method, buy soft tortillas and use these as a base for the pizza instead of making your own.
You can either make the dough from scratch for this pizza, which takes no time at all, or for an even speedier method, buy soft tortillas and use these as a base for the pizza instead of making your own.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Spatchcocking (flattening) chicken is a handy way of cooking it much quicker than normal. Although you should give this marinade a night in the fridge to really penetrate the meat. Equipment and preparation: You will need a barbecue with a lid for this recipe.
This hot chicken and cool noodle salad combines bright lime and chilli flavours to spice up a summer lunch. Each serving provides 544kcal, 42g protein, 60g carbohydrate (of which 17g sugars), 15g fat (of which 3g saturates), 3g fibre and 3.3g salt.
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.
Put together healthy veg with a yummy mustard and cheese sauce and you've got a great pasta bake. Each serving provides 459 kcal, 24g protein, 63g carbohydrate (of which 6.5g sugars), 11g fat (of which 5.5g saturates), 6g fibre and 0.6g salt.
Put together healthy veg with a yummy mustard and cheese sauce and you've got a great pasta bake. Each serving provides 459 kcal, 24g protein, 63g carbohydrate (of which 6.5g sugars), 11g fat (of which 5.5g saturates), 6g fibre and 0.6g salt.
Put together healthy veg with a yummy mustard and cheese sauce and you've got a great pasta bake. Each serving provides 459 kcal, 24g protein, 63g carbohydrate (of which 6.5g sugars), 11g fat (of which 5.5g saturates), 6g fibre and 0.6g salt.
This recipe was created by Angela Hartnett specifically for the Great British Budget Banquet Dinner and shows you how to get more value from a roast chicken by using the carcass to make stock for a fragrant rice.
This spicy fish supper is a breeze to put together for family or friends - open the parcels at the table. Equipment and preparation: for this recipe you will need a blender to make the chermoula. Each serving provides 479kcal, 32g protein, 10g carbohydrates (of which 9g sugars), 32g fat (of which 6g saturates), 3.5g fibre and 0.2g salt.
This crowd-pleasing bread sauce recipe by Nigella Lawson is an easy extra for Christmas Day and is just as good served cold with leftovers. The recipe appears in Nigella's book Feast, published by Chatto & Windus.
This is an easy, foolproof Thai chicken curry recipe. The water chestnuts add a lovely crunch, but should be added at the end so they stay crisp.
10 To 30 Mins
Homemadebeansontoast
Serves 2
By:
The Hairy Bikers and Lorraine Pascale: Cooking the Nation's Favourite Food
Details
This quick and easy chorizo topping is a fantastic alternative to good old baked beans when piled onto hot toast. This meal provides 322 kcal, 18g protein, 32g carbohydrate (of which 5g sugars), 14g fat (of which 5g saturates), 5g fibre and 1.7g salt per portion.
Less Than 10 Mins
Homemadebeansontoast
Serves 2
By:
The Hairy Bikers and Lorraine Pascale: Cooking the Nation's Favourite Food
Details
This quick and easy chorizo topping is a fantastic alternative to good old baked beans when piled onto hot toast. This meal provides 322 kcal, 18g protein, 32g carbohydrate (of which 5g sugars), 14g fat (of which 5g saturates), 5g fibre and 1.7g salt per portion.
Simon Hopkinson's classic panzanella recipe captures the fruity flavours of the Mediterranean. Each serving provides 200kcal, 4g protein, 19g carbohydrate (of which 5g sugars), 11g fat (of which 1.5g saturates), 2.5g fibre and 0.3g salt.
Tender, slow-roasted lamb, infused with mellow garlic and herb flavours makes wonderful comfort food. This recipe makes its own delicious gravy too, perfect for a big meal with friends and family.
Tender, slow-roasted lamb, infused with mellow garlic and herb flavours makes wonderful comfort food. This recipe makes its own delicious gravy too, perfect for a big meal with friends and family.
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.
This classic starter gets a punchy update from the Hairy Bikers in the form of fiery central American additions. Each serving provides 373kcal, 27g protein, 6g carbohydrate (of which 4g sugars), 26g fat (of which 12g saturates), 3.5g fibre and 0.9g salt.
Do not throw away your old bread! Soaking it in a garlicky mixture of red wine vinegar, olive oil and tomato juices will bring it back to life Mediterranean-style for this classic salad.
This dessert is a celebration of a quintessentially British fruit. What excites the tastebuds as much as different flavours is contrasting textures, so in this dessert we have tart rhubarb jelly studded with tender fruit; sweet, smooth, velvety custard; and a garnish of crisp dried rhubarb. Equipment and preparation: for this recipe you will need a sugar thermometer, a hand-held blender, 4 glass serving dishes and a silicone mat.
These falafels are baked rather than fried for a healthy take on this simple and delicious Middle Eastern dish. This is designed to be a low cost recipe. This meal provides 435 kcal, 14g protein, 53g carbohydrate (of which 6g sugars), 18.5g fat (of which 3g saturates), 7g fibre and 1.3g salt per portion.
This belly pork takes no time to cook on the barbecue, but an overnight preparation gets you an aromatic marinated flavour and lots of perfect crackling.
The perfect sausages for this dish are those from specialist Italian or Continental delicatessens, luganega, which come in one long length. If you are using ordinary sausages, add a teaspoon of fennel seeds to the onions when frying.
Try this healthy curry recipe packed full of spinach goodness. Each serving provides 266kcal, 33g protein, 6.5g carbohydrate (of which 6g sugars), 11g fat (of which 1.5g saturates), 4g fibre and 0.6g salt.
Try this healthy curry recipe packed full of spinach goodness. Each serving provides 266kcal, 33g protein, 6.5g carbohydrate (of which 6g sugars), 11g fat (of which 1.5g saturates), 4g fibre and 0.6g salt.
A bread loaf is packed with sweet roasted vegetables, mozzarella and fresh basil to make a delicious addition to a picnic, or serve in slices at home with crisp croutons for contrast.
This may not sound like an overtly Indian dish and in a way it isn't, but people in India have always eaten kebabs, either as they are or wrapped in flatbread.
This may not sound like an overtly Indian dish and in a way it isn't, but people in India have always eaten kebabs, either as they are or wrapped in flatbread.
This may not sound like an overtly Indian dish and in a way it isn't, but people in India have always eaten kebabs, either as they are or wrapped in flatbread.
This may not sound like an overtly Indian dish and in a way it isn't, but people in India have always eaten kebabs, either as they are or wrapped in flatbread.