This recipe is particularly budget-friendly as it uses a lot of things you probably already have in your pantry / fridge and is a great way to use up leftovers like cooked meats (I use chicken, but you can use seafood too) and cooked rice. It serves 6. 500g (2 1/2 cups) long-grain rice 1 tbs peanut...

This is a great side dish that is quick to make and as appropriate for a dinner party as for a weeknight dinner at home. Makes a nice substitute as a winter version of a garden salad. Serves 6. Ingredients: 300g green beans, ends trimmed 1/3 cup of unsalted, uncooked nuts (I like pine nuts) Tbsp olive...

This is a great recipe for the winter months ahead (in the southern hemisphere, anyway!). All the ingredients can be easily obtained from the supermarket, keeping your costs down considerably. This risotto is particularly enjoyable with a warm side dish or two. It serves four as a main course when served...

If you’re looking at the name of the meal below and thinking it’s too boring, think again! This is so tasty I’m always asked for the recipe the next day. Ingredients: Fresh basil Beef mince (depends on how many you’re serving, but I use about 100g per person. I also prefer the...

Ingredients: Butter (margarine will do fine, whatever you already have) One or two leeks Chicken or vegetable stock (about a litre – that’s about 2.1 pints) Butternut pumpkin (depending on how many people you’re serving for, a half usually does. I used two and made 7 meals from this...