Learning to cook after leaving home is easy to do and this is a good place to start a simple sausage and bean stew thats adaptable, nutritious and cheap.

Meat substitutes are a sorry sham compared to the glories of vegetables - and if you're inventive, you can use your greens in all sorts of surprising ways, from bolognese to browniesBeing a well-brought-up boy, I pride myself on leaving a clean plate....

Roasted vegetables can be deeply satisfying, and so much more than bog-standard student nosh. Find our revelatory tips here...If you type "roast vegetables" into Google Images, you will see hundreds of amazingly similar photographs of the same dish: peppers,...

Corn is best straight off the cob fresh from the cornfield, but these recipes are the next best thing to coax the sweetness from sweetcornSweetcorn is best served fresh. Really fresh. There's a farmer I know who, on mild evenings at this time of year,...

This most majestic of fish may be difficult to catch, but it's easy to cook up delicious dishes in a variety of waysI have a friend called Luke who is obsessed with salmon. Obsessed. Apart from his wife and children, I don't think he loves ...

The humble tomato is a scientific marvel. What gives it its flavour? And why shouldn't you keep them in the fridge? All this, plus three easy, fresh tomato sauce recipes, below...Heston Blumenthal didn't set out to become a molecular gastronomist; it...

Learn how to put quinoa, bulgur and rice to good use in part three of our salad masterclass for a cereal thriller every time...Over the years, I have noticed that I extend far more dinner invitations than I receive. This may be purely an issue ...

We buy more chicken than any other meat, and more breast than any other cut - but we often still find it pretty tricky to cookThe chicken breast symbolises, for me, the moment Britain started to cook again. After several decades in which the nation ...

Tinned foods often sit forgotten in the cupboard. But if your usual storecupboard supplies won't stretch to a meal, the tin can. Try our 10 tips for tins - and this sardine pasta recipe - and don't forget to share your ideas in the comments ...

Preparing a roast dinner is what you've told us makes most of you most nervous. But it needn't be a nightmare of multitasking if you follow these simple steps - starting with this delicious, seasonal roast lambWhen Jane and I were first asked to do ...

Dhal, the Indian staple made from split pulses, is healthy, tasty and very cheap, too. It's also easy to make, so what's stopping you? Parents could think of it as a gift they could give their children before they leave homeIf I can pass on ...

The lemon is almost magical. Its fragrant tang transforms the most mediocre meal into a masterpiece. It rightfully belongs on the table with salt and pepper. Think we're taking the pith? Read on...My wife was a late developer in many ways. She learned...

Beginners needn't be afraid of Pancake Day with these foolproof, flip-free American pancake recipes. What are you favourite toppings or pancake tips? Share your ideas below... I'm not a big fan of Pancake Day. When I was little, those thin, crepe-style...

Learning how to make clever use of leftovers saves money and waste, and arms the budding cook with a wide range of skills. Try these simple tips to earn kudos (and save a fortune)Not being much of a one for small talk, when I go ...

Chefs often have an impressive repertoire of corner-cutting tricks under their caps. You'll wonder why you hadn't thought of these yourself. Try them on this (not quite) cottage pie recipe ......and don't forget to add your own timesaving tips below!One...