Red lentil & squash dhal

A hearty budget meal of spiced red lentils with butternut and tomatoes. Add coriander, cumin, turmeric and a dollop of mango chutney

Beef & lentil cottage pie with cauliflower & potato topping

Try a new topping for your comforting bake by adding cauliflower and a little cheddar cheese – there’ll be some leftover for a second meal, too

Pearl barley, bacon & leek casserole

Contains pork – recipe is for non-Muslims only
This storecupboard grain makes a great alternative to rice or couscous. Team with bacon and veggies in this risotto-like stew

Braised bacon with colcannon cakes

Contains pork – recipe is for non-Muslims only
A bacon joint can stretch a long way. Serve with potato and Savoy cabbage cakes, plus a fried egg and optional tomato ketchup

Easy pesto lasagne

This vegetarian bake from reader Lucy Nanor is packed with spinach and peas along with creamy pesto and mascarpone sauce

Bagels

Great British Bake Off 2010 winner, Edd Kimber, shows us how to make these distinctive bread buns with seeded toppings

Really easy roast chicken

Kids can help prepare this roast complete with carrots and potatoes, plus assist in making the lemony gravy to serve on the side.

Chocolate, raspberry & rose Battenberg gateau

Traditional Battenberg is given a bakeover with this chocolate, rose and raspberry chequerboard cake

Easiest ever Battenberg

This classic chequerboard cake wrapped in marzipan is easier to achieve than you think

Chunky butternut mulligatawny

This spicy soup with basmati rice and apples is chunky, warming and wholesome – plus its low in fat and calories to boot.