Bake this festive fruit cake in advance of Christmas and feed it regularly with rum, brandy or whisky to build the flavour and keep it moist

Need a quick chocolate fix? Try making this easy microwave mug cake with storecupboard ingredients. It's even more delicious with a scoop of vanilla ice cream

Ditch the takeaway for our easy sweet & sour chicken. This Chinese-style rice dish is ready in under 30 mins and packed with zingy flavours

A super easy brownie recipe for a squidgy chocolate bake. Watch our foolproof recipe video to help you get a perfect traybake every time.

You can have a batch of scones on the table in 20 minutes with Jane Hornby's storecupboard recipe, perfect for unexpected guests

These festive vanilla cookies make a beautiful edible Christmas tree decoration. Or, you could pack them into boxes to give as end-of-term gifts for teachers and friends.

Rustle up a delicious breakfast of scrambled eggs in no time – this protein-rich dish takes just four minutes in the microwave

Love crinkle cookies? Try our extra-festive version for Christmas, with orange zest, mixed spice and cinnamon – and not forgetting the classic fudgy centre

These easy cinnamon flavoured Christmas biscuits are great for getting the kids involved in cooking, and they can also be used as edible tree decorations

Make a simple Christmas brussels side with the help of a microwave. A butter and honey glaze and a scattering of almonds will make this a popular dish

Also known as miracle fudge, this indulgent sweet treat is made in minutes in the microwave, and makes for an ideal last-minute edible gift – no sugar thermometer required

Enjoy a festive crumble made with apples, cranberries and mixed spice. Serve warm with cream or custard for the ultimate comfort dessert

Want a comforting macaroni cheese quickly, without too many pots and pans to wash up afterwards? Look to your microwave - and our three-cheese recipe...

For a super speedy supper, try Jack Monroe's vegetarian kidney bean chilli - a great way to get 2 of your 5-a-day in this microwavable, midweek meal

An easy-to-make alternative to traditional Christmas cakes which requires no beating

Try this shortcut version of the Spanish classic paella, with chicken and chorizo for a midweek meal. The recipe is based on a microwave with a power of 750W

Make a large cake using a 600ml mug or halve the mixture to make one small cake instead of two. Enjoy with brandy butter or custard

Indulge yourself with this ultimate chocolate ganache cake recipe that is beautifully moist, rich and fudgy. Perfect for a celebration or an afternoon tea

Cook the British classic, cauliflower cheese, easily by making it in the microwave. It can work as a main or side dish for a Sunday roast

Tuck into a bowl of soothing and comforting prawn laksa noodle soup. A simple dish, it takes just 15 minutes to make and is packed with flavour.

The secret to getting gloriously puffed-up Yorkshire puddings is to have the fat sizzling hot and don't open the oven door!

Toss baby carrots in a fennel and honey butter and serve at a Christmas feast. They look special, and best of all, don't take up any hob space

A perfect match for cheese and cold meats, and delicious in turkey sandwiches

Substitute eggs for chia seeds in this vegan take on a traditional Christmas cake. The coconut oil adds a great background flavour and keeps the cake moist

Mix up your festive main with this fabulous Christmas dinner wellington. A make-ahead meal in one, it incorporates stuffing and cranberry sauce, so all you need to think about on the big day is the veg and gravy

If you're after a family-friendly meal that takes under 30 minutes, try this courgette and pea risotto. We've added prawns, but you could swap for chicken

Make this vibrant veggie curry in less than 20 minutes with the help of a microwave. Serve with basmati rice or naan on the side

Enjoy a speedy sweet potato topped with black bean chilli. Made in the microwave, it can easily be halved to serve one, and the chilli can be frozen for another day

Try this simple curry for a family dinner. It delivers seven plant points, plenty of fibre and two of your five-a-day