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.
A wonderful burger that shows what can result from thinking just a little bit differently. Choose the best-quality lean meat you can, be brave and have fun experimenting with combinations of ingredients.
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.
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.
These pencil-thin sticks studded with green olives are great served with olive oil or your favourite dips for a party. Equipment and preparation: You will need a mixer fitted with a dough hook.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Gammon and coriander seeds have a time-honoured partnership, and have long been used to preserve meat. Our visit to a cider barn in Somerset inspired us to add some additional flavours. Using both cider and apple juice, and adding a bite of red chilli to the flavour of the coriander seeds adds a real sparkle to this dish.
Gammon and coriander seeds have a time-honoured partnership, and have long been used to preserve meat. Our visit to a cider barn in Somerset inspired us to add some additional flavours. Using both cider and apple juice, and adding a bite of red chilli to the flavour of the coriander seeds adds a real sparkle to this dish.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 whole chicken is marinated in spices before being roasted to a juicy, succulent dish served with spicy potatoes. Each serving provides 569kcal, 73g protein, 47g carbohydrate (of which 2g sugars), 9 fat (of which 2g saturates), 5g fibre and 1.3g 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.
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.
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.)
Spicy shredded chicken layered with corn tortillas and all the trimmings. A striking alternative to fajitas which can also be served in slices at informal parties.
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.
Baking eggs in a spicy tomato sauce is very common in many parts of the world, most famously in the Mexican dish huevos rancheros. This version is topped with cheese for an extra treat and is designed to be a low-cost recipe. This meal provides 509 kcal, 24g protein, 56g carbohydrate (of which 10g sugars), 22g fat (of which 7g saturates), 6g fibre and 1.7g salt per portion.
Spiced lentils make a cheap, wholesome supper - add extra chilli and cumin seeds for a more robust flavour. This is designed to be a low cost recipe. Each serving provides 477kcal, 26g protein, 71g carbohydrate (of which 2.5g sugars), 8g fat (of which 4g saturates), 7.5g fibre and 0.2g 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.
A moist, lemony sponge topped with chocolate ganache and marzipan decorations. It looks wonderfully festive and is a great alternative to traditional Christmas cake. Equipment and preparation: you will need a 20cm/8in deep cake tin.
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.
When cooking on a budget lentils are your new best friend; they are cheap, filling and good for you. This recipe uses split green lentils but can be made with just about any kind of lentil.
When cooking on a budget lentils are your new best friend; they are cheap, filling and good for you. This recipe uses split green lentils but can be made with just about any kind of lentil.
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.