Bombay popcorn mix

A great thrifty homemade snack of salted popcorn with chickpeas, raisins, nuts and Indian spices

Minced beef & sweet potato stew

Thrifty lean mince makes a great base for a hearty family casserole – serve this one-pot with seasonal greens

Creamy porridge with spiced apple & cranberry

Stewed fruit in spiced compote sauce makes a great topping for a warming oat-pot on a chilly morning

Cheese & spinach pasties

Teach your kids some pastry skills – and provide a lunchbox filler – with this recipe from CBeebies ‘i can cook’

Rich paprika seafood bowl

Eating healthy isn’t all about salad, this fish stew counts as 3 of your 5-a-day and it’s low-fat

Mushroom & spinach risotto

Make the time to stir carefully during cooking to make this vegetarian Italian rice pot super creamy

Rhubarb & ginger jam

This delicious jam is a perfect late winter pick-me-up combining seasonal forced rhubarb with health-boosting ginger

Healthy salad Niçoise

French bistro classic, the tuna Niçoise, becomes healthier with extra lettuce and veg and low fat dressing

Halloumi aubergine burgers with harissa relish

A veggie stack with a difference – flavour your fried cheese with Moroccan harissa paste and creamy hummus

Oaty energy cookies

Get your children in the kitchen to bake a batch of these simple biscuits from CBeebies’ ‘i can cook’