Cheesy bean potatoes

• 6 large baking potatoes
• 85g butter
• 1 tbsp English mustard
• 6 large spring onions , finely chopped
• 175g mature cheddar , grated, plus 85g for sprinkling
• 2 x 300g cans red kidney beans , drained

1. Heat oven to 200C/fan 220C/gas 7.
2. Oil and season the potatoes, then bake for 1 hr until a knife slides in easily and the skins are crispy. Cool for 10 mins.
3. Halve the potatoes lengthways and scoop out the cooked potato into a bowl, leaving a thin layer behind so that the skins still hold their shape.
4. Mash the potato with the butter, mustard and seasoning, then stir in the spring onions, 175g cheese and kidney beans.
5. Pile the mixture into the potato skins and scatter with the remaining cheese.
6. Can be made to this stage a day ahead and chilled. Bake for 30-40 mins until golden.

Oven-roasted sausages with ratatouille

• 450g ripe plum or cherry tomatoes, quartered or halved, depending on the size
• 2 red onions, cut into wedges
• 1 red pepper and 1 yellow pepper, deseeded, cored and cut into chunks
• 3 garlic cloves, unpeeled
• 2 courgettes, trimmed and cut into chunks
• Few fresh rosemary sprigs (optional)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 8 chunky sausages

1. Preheat the oven to 200C/gas 7.
2. Toss the tomatoes, onions, peppers, garlic, courgettes, rosemary and oil together in a large roasting tin and roast for 10 minutes, until softened slightly.
3. Stir the vegetables well and arrange the sausages over the top. Return to the oven for a further 20 minutes, turning the sausages, until evenly browned.
4. Push the sausages aside. Pop the garlic from their skins, and mash with some of the tomatoes and mix. Season and serve with the sausages.

Chilli con carne

(Serves 2)

Ingredients

• 1 onion, peeled and chopped
• 1 clove garlic, peeled and crushed
• 1 green pepper, de-seeded and chopped
• 1 tbsp oil 250g minced beef
• 1 tbsp flour
• 250ml beef stock
• 1 400g can red kidney beans, drained
• 1 tbsp tomato puree
• 1 tsp chilli powder (add more for extra spice)

Method

1. Fry the onion and garlic in the oil for 3-4 minutes.
2. Add the minced beef and cook until it has browned.
3. Stir in the flour and pour in the stock.
4. Add the red kidney beans and stir in the tomato purée and chilli powder.
5. Bring to the boil, and then allow to simmer for 20 minutes.
6. Add the green pepper and allow to cook for a further 15 minutes.

Homemade burgers

(Makes 8 burgers)

Ingredients

• 700g lean beef mince
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 egg
• 1 table spoon of cooking oil
• 8 Burger buns

Method

1. Add 700g raw lean beef mince, one chopped onion and a raw egg into a mixing bowl and mix well.
2. Once done, shape the mixture into 8 patties.
3. Fry the patties with a little oil in a pan for about 5-10 minutes until browned and cooked through.
4. Serve the burgers in toasted burger buns.

Why not serve with a fresh crispy salad.