Courgette fritters turns grated courgettes into crisp little fritters with a tender centre. They are quick to fry and make good use of a glut without letting the courgettes become watery or bland.

Orange yoghurt creams with caramelised orange salad is a softly set, creamy pudding paired with sharp seasonal fruit. It is worth making because the fruit cuts through the richness, and most of the work can be done ahead.

Skewered cumin lamb with garlic yoghurt dip threads cumin lamb with garlic yoghurt dip onto skewers for quick, even cooking and plenty of browned edges. The marinade carries the seasoning into every piece, while the accompanying sauce keeps the dish fresh.

Bacon, artichoke and spinach crustless quiche is a crustless quiche packed with bacon, artichoke and spinach. Leaving out the pastry keeps the method simple while the eggs and cheese hold the filling in a soft, sliceable bake.

Spiced apple and almond parfaits layers gently spiced apple with a creamy almond mixture for an easy individual pudding. It can be assembled ahead, and the contrast of soft fruit, cream and nuts makes each spoonful interesting.

Sausages with braised lentils and quick salsa verde is a creamy, savoury dip or sauce with plenty of character from its herbs and seasonings. It takes little work and gives vegetables, flatbreads or simply cooked meat an immediate lift.

Chicken, broccoli & grain salad with turmeric cashews is a lively salad combining chicken, broccoli and grain with turmeric cashews in a well-seasoned dressing. It is worth making for the mix of fresh, soft and crisp textures rather than treating the salad as an afterthought.

Sizzling greens with pumpkin seeds, pistachios and maple syrup gives green vegetables plenty of flavour with spices, nuts and careful cooking. It is a useful way to turn a simple vegetable into a side dish with real texture and presence.

This is a proper beef burger with a well-seasoned patty and all the familiar trimmings. It is worth cooking at home because you can get a deeply browned crust while keeping the middle juicy.

Tomato chilli jam is a punchy homemade preserve balancing sweetness, acidity and spice. It is worth making ahead because a spoonful adds depth to cheese, cold meats, sandwiches and simple suppers.

Bang bang chicken salad is a lively salad combining bang bang chicken in a well-seasoned dressing. It is worth making for the mix of fresh, soft and crisp textures rather than treating the salad as an afterthought.

Basil pesto is a fresh, punchy sauce made by blending herbs, nuts, cheese and olive oil. It comes together quickly and earns its place in the fridge by lifting pasta, vegetables, soups and sandwiches.

Smoked haddock, leek and butter bean pie is a generous savoury pie filled with smoked haddock, leek and butter bean. The rich filling and crisp pastry make it a proper one-dish supper, and much of it can be prepared before it goes in the oven.

Marinated lamb with salsa verde is a creamy, savoury dip or sauce with plenty of character from its herbs and seasonings. It takes little work and gives vegetables, flatbreads or simply cooked meat an immediate lift.