First among equals this year is Alison Roman’s Something From Nothing, which she describes as ‘a cookbook for the cooks who love their pantry, the cooks who crave simple and thrilling in equal measure, the cooks who treasure both new recipes and old favourites. This is a cookbook for the seasoned cooks and the beginner cooks, a cookbook for the cooks who love to read. ‘
If it sounds broad, it should do: everyone, whether seasoned pro or culinary neophyte, ought to know how to rustle up a hearty and wholesome scratch meal from the store cupboard. Duly inspired, we have assembled some of our favourites for those nights when something quick, cheap and nutritious is called for– all without having to send anyone out into the cold to brave the supermarket.
Main image: Apple Bread Pudding/ BBC
White Bean & Pickle Strew
Anna Jones
Most of us have a tin or two of white beans lurking in the cupboard, just waiting for that rainy day when the idea of venturing out seems insurmountable. Anna Jones always knows how to shepherd the basics into something that looks beautifully enticing – and this recipe, which requires beans, veg stock, pickles, cavolo nero and some cheese, does exactly that. Deeply tasty, plus you can almost feel it doing you good. Get the recipe
Spaghetti Aglio E Olio
BBC Good Food
What’s not to love about a recipe that takes literally three minutes to rustle up and contains just spaghetti, garlic (that’ll be the aglio), olive oil (olio), red chillis and a little flurry of parsley? So tasty we often wonder why we ever bother making anything more complicated. Get the recipe
Green Bean Casserole
Alison Roman
Got some green beans and a mushroom or two skulking the fridge? Turn them into gold with this Alison Roman recipe, she of the something from nothing school herself. Otherwise, you’ll just need an onion, milk, flour, butter, soy sauce, garlic and olive oil, all of which you’ll likely have knocking around. Ooh and fried onions for the all-important crunch. Cosy, moreish, good for you and easy. Ideal. Get the recipe
Pappa Al Pomodoro Soup
Jamie Oliver
What can you make with a loaf of stale bread, a tin of tomatoes, a few cloves of garlic and a hunk of parmesan cheese? Only one of the tastiest bowls of Italian comfort food ever dreamt up. Hearty, tasty and easy, it’s thick and filling and, simply, the cosiest thing to eat by the fire. Get the recipe
Butter Bean Stew With Crispy Sage And Sourdough Breadcrumbs
Olive Magazine
That tin of butter beans that has sat at the back of the cupboard for months comes into its own when needs must and other ingredients are thin on the ground. Luckily it need not compromise on flavour, as attested by Olive Magazine’s stew with sourdough crumbs – a triumph of beautifully balanced textures. And frankly, it had us at the mere mention of crispy sage. Get the recipe
Apple Bread Pudding
BBC
When the sweet craving hits and the fridge is bare, turn to this humble pudding – a nostalgic British classic that makes a hero of the simplest ingredients. All you need is a few slices of stale bread, a splash of milk, some apples, sugar, butter and a hint of cinnamon. The result? A golden, custardy bake that fills the kitchen with the scent of comfort itself. Serve warm with cream or a drizzle of custard and bask in the quiet satisfaction of having conjured dessert from (almost) nothing. Get the recipe.
