Bean

Using oil together with the butter when frying increases the heating point, ensuring the butter doesn’t discolour or burn.

A hearty soup with carrot, courgette, lentils and more.

Julie Biuso adds a dash of pizazz to vegetable sides, ensuring your summer dining table is alive with colourful, fresh and healthy flavours. Imaginative vegetable sides can turn a meal into a fabulous feast. We’re not talking plain boiled carrots – we’re talking flavour, colour and attitude. Bring in ginger, spices and chilli for a little zing; nuts for the crunch factor; edible flower petals for colour; then yellow and red capsicum to contrast with the green vegetables.

Trim about 5cm from the ends of the spinach stalks and throw them away. Check before adding any salt, as smoked chicken can be quite salty already. Note

Using vegetarian chicken-style sausages, this quick, easy and super delicious vegetarian fried rice is loaded with vegetables, topped with crispy fried shallots and subtly spiced.

Not suitable to freeze. Beans suitable to microwave. Note

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

Suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

Not suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. This salad, without the dressing, can be made several hours ahead and refrigerated, covered. Note

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

Cooking time of sausages will depend on their size and thickness. Do not prick sausage or they will become dry. Note

Not suitable to freeze. Potatoes and peas suitable to microwave. You will need about 350g whole broad bean pods for this recipe, or use frozen broad beans. Note

You can replace chorizo with 4 thickly sliced Frankfurts or 4 thickly sliced bacon rashers. For a more substantial meal, serve with poached, fried or scrambled eggs. Make toasties with two slices of wholemeal bread using any leftovers. Note

Patties are also great as finger food topped with a cranberry mayonnaise. Note

SUPER EASY, MAKE IT AHEAD To substitute fresh broad beans with frozen, use 1 1/2 cups (225g) frozen broad beans. Vary this recipe by using other in-season green vegetables or different types of nuts. Note

To save time, use 1 1/2 cups (225g) frozen broad beans instead of double peeling fresh ones, and 1 1/2 cups (180g) frozen peas. Cook straight from frozen for about the same time. Fresh and frozen peas have very similar nutritional values. Note

To put a fresh twist on the new season’s spring vege, Julie Biuso looks to Italy for inspiration

Cold rice is best because the grains remain separate during frying. Cook it the night before. Spread onto a large tray, cover with plastic wrap and chill until ready to use. Note

Buy snake beans that are crisp and bright. Store them in the crisper section of the fridge for up to three days. Note

When serving soft polenta as an accompaniment to dishes with sauces, or braised or grilled poultry or meats, the consistency should be slightly thicker but not stiff. The polenta is ready when it holds its shape in a spoon. When it reaches this point, serve immediately or keep warm in a heatproof bowl over gently […]

Bresaola is an italian air-dried beef. If you can’t find it, prosciutto makes a good substitute. Note

EQUIPMENT Sharp knife; large saucepan with lid (or camp oven); wooden spoon Cook these delicious beans in a pot on the barbecue or campfire, or in a camp oven – a lidded pot that rests on hot coals. If you prefer you could use 500g dried cannellini beans, which have to be soaked in cold […]

This wonderfully vibrant broad bean, baby pea and feta salad recipe is the perfect side dish for any summer meal! Throw it together in just 15 minutes and enjoy!

Use a high-sided saucepan for the goulash so when you place the colander (which contains the dough) on top of the saucepan, it won’t touch the goulash below. Note

This delicious and rustic minestrone recipe is loaded with incredible flavour and is wonderful enjoyed for a comforting and warming weeknight meal during those cold winter evenings

This smoked chicken salad is seriously delicious. It's a meal in itself with baby potatoes, green beans and asparagus tossed in a tangy mustard dressing. Serve for a criminally tasty lunch or dinner

A warm salad of spring lamb and seasonal beans is the perfect dinner when it’s still too cool for a salad, but too warm for a hearty, wintery meal. Toasted almonds and crusty bread add delicious crunch-factor. EQUIPMENT: Non-stick frying pan; small bowl; tongs; foil; large saucepan with lid; large mixing bowl; whisk; sieve Note

EQUIPMENT: Sharp knife; sieve; large saucepan; wooden spoon Note

You can use lemon juice instead of balsamic. Omit green beans and add 2 cans drained, rinsed borlotti beans. Note

Instead of bacon, use chipolata sausages or chopped chorizo. Buy an unsliced loaf of white bread then cut into 2.5crn slices. You can use sliced sandwich bread, but it will flatten significantly when toasted in the press. No press? Cook toasties in a lightly oiled frying pan. Note

Extra-delicious with baked beans in barbecue sauce. Huevos Rancheros (Ranchers’ Eggs) is a classic Mexican breakfast dish we’ve adapted. Add a pinch of chilli powder to tomato mixture. Avocado Salsa: To avoid avocado discolouring, make salsa just before serving. Note

Make a double batch. Freeze bread for up to 3 months. Thaw in fridge. You can bake the corn bread in a 21x11cm loaf pan; cooking time will vary. Note

Chipolatas are small sausages; you can use any type of sausage you like. Note

Use frozen (thawed) shortcrust pastry instead of bread. Note

Legumes, including canned beans, are excellent food for people with diabetes to keep in the pantry as they have a low GI. Note

Make pancakes and mince mixture up to 2 days ahead. Both can be frozen separately for up to 3 months. To save time, use bought pancakes. Note

You can cook beef on the barbecue; cooking time may vary. You can use dijon mustard instead of wholegrain mustard. Note

Carbonara chicken parcels

You can use beef or veal instead of pork if preferred. Try using cumin seeds or crushed peppercorn mix instead of fennel seeds. Note

You could use this filling to stuff beef or pork steaks. For a spicy touch, sprinkle some dried chilli flakes over filling before folding steak in half. Note

Make this with any flavour of sausage you like. You can use ham instead of bacon. Note

Leftovers are delicious with grated cheese in toasted sandwiches. When using canned tomatoes, try adding 1 teaspoon sugar to sweeten a little. You’ll need to cook about 1 cup rice. Note

Buy lamb in bulk. Use loin chops. Replace lamb with grilled chicken. Chop herbs just before use. Note

You can freeze uncooked crumbed chicken. Thaw in fridge overnight. Note

Make sure cooking liquid for corned beef is simmering gently, as boiling liquid will make beef tough. Note

Legumes are low GI. Vinegar helps lower the GI of the meal. Note

Brought to you by Recipes+, this easy butter chicken recipe is rich, indulgent and ready in just under an hour. This classic flavourful and comforting dish will be a family favourite.

We used forequarter chops; shop around for any type of chop on special. Note

Saltimbocca is Italian for ‘jump in the mouth’; the combination of lemon, herbs and capers in this recipe ensures this happens. Heating oil and butter together adds flavour and prevents butter burning. Note

Mexican tortilla stack recipe that children will love and that takes less than 30 minutes to cook. This recipe combines chicken mince, tortillas, a tomato-based sauce, grated cheese and served with sour cream.

Look for these beans at health food stores and greengrocers. If unavailable, use canned chickpeas or kidney beans – no need to soak overnight or cook. Add finely chopped fresh chillies and coriander to salsa. Note

Wear disposable gloves when peeling beetroot. Beetroot is a good source of folate (a B vitamin). Note

Use salsa as a filling for tortillas; add shredded lettuce. Note

Use peas or chopped green beans instead of broad beans. You can replace fresh broad beans with 2 cups frozen broad beans – thaw beans and peel off outer shell before cooking. Note

Use beef rump steal or chicken breast fillet instead of pork; cooking time may vary. Note

Add lentils, pasta or rice to soup. You can freeze leftover soup. Note