5 cooking tips to save you time and money

1. OVEN TO TABLE

Serve this bake straight from the oven – it not only looks great on the table, but it’ll save on washing up, too.

Try: Spring green skillet-baked eggs.

2. THINK LIKE A CHEF

Plan your meals – one shopping trip and a five-night menu will save you from last-minute “what’s for dinner?” stress. And do we have to remind you not to shop on an empty stomach? Hungry shopping leads to buying more than you need – not great for the budget or your waste-saving plans.

Try: Herby couscous-stuffed tomatoes and peppers.

3. LOVE YOUR LEFTOVERS

Dedicate one dinner a week to using up all the leftover bits and pieces in the fridge about to go past their prime. Think all-in-one dishes, from tray bakes to Buddha bowls. It’s a great way to be creative and come up with some inventive flavour combos.

Try: Coconut chicken with pumpkin tagliatelle.

4. COOK IN BULK

Choose an affordable ingredient – a pot of beans or spaghetti goes a long way – and try different pantry- staple combos to give it exciting twists. Great for lunchboxes, or as a super side for suppers. (You could also make a versatile soup, like butternut, and reinvent it with the likes of shredded rotisserie chicken or pumpkin tagliatelle).

Try: Tomato caponata pasta.

5. USE YOUR FOOD PROCESSOR

If you’re all about saving time in the kitchen, your food processor is your best friend. Use it to the max to make sauces, pestos, dips and veggie mash in minutes, and crunchy slaws in seconds.

Try: Basil pesto-crusted fish.

*This story was first published in TASTE magazine November 2017.

Discover all Hannah's recipes here.