Rick Stein serves up tasty Indonesian fried rice - ideal for barbecues, or for using up leftover cooked meat and veg. For this recipe you will need 8-16 bamboo skewers (18cm/7in long), soaked in cold water for 1 hour.
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 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.
One of the surprising things I discovered on my journey through India and staying, I have to confess, in nice hotels, was that the cooking in such places was actually very good, even the buffets, where you are presented with, say, twenty curries, the majority of them vegetarian. Rajma would be included in the buffet of every one of those hotels in the north of India, and with dishes like these I would have no problem being a vegetarian. This meal, if served as eight portions, provides 221kcal, 11g
Inspired by Japanese deco rolls, Paul uses different coloured cake batters to make a patterned Swiss roll. Equipment and preparation: You will need a piping bag fitted with a plain nozzle and a hand-held electric mixer.
Inspired by Japanese deco rolls, Paul uses different coloured cake batters to make a patterned Swiss roll. Equipment and preparation: You will need a piping bag fitted with a plain nozzle and a hand-held electric mixer.
Whip up a hearty dish of chicken and beans to keep the whole family happy. Do tweak the recipe to suit your veg stocks. This meal, if served as six portions, provides 503kcal, 46g protein, 59g carbohydrate (of which 14.5g sugars), 7g fat (of which 2g saturates), 9g fibre and 1.6g 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.
Transform a little minced beef into a luscious spicy stew with beans, served with rice and a dollop of yoghurt to control the heat. This is designed to be a low cost recipe. This chilli can be made in advance and frozen, just leave to cool completely and pop in a freezer-proof container. It will keep in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Bake a healthy paella-style dish of salmon and chorizo rice. Each serving provides 876kcal, 60g protein, 48g carbohydrate (of which 6g sugars), 49g fat (of which 16g saturates), 3g fibre and 3.5g salt.
This is a budget-friendly version of burrito uses tinned beans and frozen sweetcorn served with a tangy tomato relish. This is designed to be a low cost recipe. Each serving provides 733kcal, 24.5g protein, 128g carbohydrate (of which 11g sugars), 12g fat (of which 6g saturates), 13g fibre and 2.5g 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.
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.
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 is a wonderful summer dish and perfect for using up a glut of runner beans. This recipe cuts out all the usual stirring in a risotto making it really easy too.
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 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.
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.
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.
Risotto is such a quick and easy dish: the creamy rice is complemented here by the salmon and peas. Be careful not to overcook it, though, or it will be stodgy.
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.
Tangy liquorice gives these salted caramels a quirky edge. The caramels only take 30 minutes to make but need to set overnight. Equipment and preparation: for this recipe you will need a sugar thermometer.
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.
You can whip up this easy chickpea curry with just a few store cupboard staples - perfect for a laid-back supper. This is designed to be a low cost recipe Each serving provides 551kcal, 15.5g protein, 97g carbohydrate (of which 14.5g sugars), 8g fat (of which 1g saturates), 13g fibre and 0.2g 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.
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.