Steak & stilton bruschetta

These open steak sandwiches are ready in a flash and make for a substantial and easy meal

Cheat’s deep-pan pizza

Feed friends quickly with this vegetarian deep-pan pizza, which can also be made ahead and frozen

Roasted red pepper shots

A smart, quick and easy canapé that’s ideal for a crowd and can be frozen to help you get ahead

Warm Mexican bean dip with tortilla chips

A quick and easy party dip which is superhealthy, freezable and counts towards your five-a-day – what more could you want?

Vegetable curry for a crowd

This vegetarian curry is great for feeding a group of mates on a budget, or make a batch to freeze

Warm halloumi with radish, apple & pecan salad

An easy dinner solution that will feed a crowd, but still feel a bit special

Chilaquiles in mulato chilli sauce

Chilaquiles are a traditional Mexican dish using baked or fried tortillas as the base – great for a casual gathering

Roasted red pepper & tuna salad with sherry vinegar

Contains pork – recipe is for non-Muslims only

Ideal as part of a tapas spread, serve this punchy salad, ready in just 15 minutes, alongside fried chorizo, Serrano and bread for easy weekend entertaining

Oven-baked risotto

Contains pork – recipe is for non-Muslims only

Cook this simple storecupboard risotto in the oven while you get on with something else – the result is still wonderfully creamy

The River Cafe’s winter minestrone

A really thick, filling minestrone soup – tastes even better after a day

Summer lamb with carrot & fennel salad

Don’t save barbecues for the weekend. This light wrap makes an easy midweek dinner to eat outdoors

Cheesy bean burgers

This super-satisfying, vegetarian bean burger makes a cheap and easy after-work meal for all the family