Clever Cook

This book tells you what all you need to know to create great value, low budget meals that are deliciously tasty, healthy and well-balanced. It offers expert tips, hints and guidelines for saving money in the kitchen without compromising on quality, quantity or flavour. Every recipe is shown step-by-step in over 750 beautiful colour photographs. It includes seasonality charts, basic recipes and useful freezing and preserving methods to make the most of your purchasing power. There is also complete nutritional information for every recipe. It covers over 175 inspiring recipes for low-cost yet delicious soups, starters, main courses and desserts. It provides feast for next to nothing on a meal of a hearty Tuscan bean soup, baked peppers with egg and lentils or Irish stew, and then a magic chocolate mud pudding. An informative and accessible introduction gives practical advice on getting the most out of your shopping - how to explore economical outlets such as markets, wholesalers and some independent stores as well as the supermarkets, and how to be aware of what is local or in season and therefore more reasonably priced.A section on freezing and simple preserving techniques allows the clever cook to make the most of bulk buys, seasonal gluts and special promotions.The heart of the book is over 175 tested recipes which show step-by-step how these principles can be put into practice to produce fabulous meals for every occasion. The irresistible dishes range from soups and starters to main courses and delectable desserts. At-a-glance menu planners show the best combinations of recipes, and there are additional ideas for simple starters - such as melon and ginger - and instant desserts - such as baked bananas - to create a complete yet low-cost meal with ease.