A classic of American frontier cookery, pork and beans makes a fabulous weekend lunch or dinner dish in the middle of winter.

These easy vegetarian pita pockets will be gobbled up by the whole family.

Ravioli are little pillows of pasta stuffed with a variety of delicious fillings including meat, fish, cheese and vegetables, and they don't have to be an Italian delicacy. This ravioli with greens recipe takes the basic form and fills it with the spices and flavours of Asia.

Scotch broth is one of those classic, thrifty recipes designed to help you feed a growing family nourishing food on a tiny budget.

This is a simple, savoury dish that hits just the right spot on a cold, dark evening. The port gravy is the perfect accompaniment, and is best poured with a free hand.

Use regular beef mince, not lean, for a nice, juicy patty. Note

These pork rolls are a tasty starter before a main course of fried rice or a bowl of chicken broth with rice noodles.

Keep the rolls moist by covering them with a slightly damp piece of kitchen paper, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge. Rolls can be made a day ahead. Swap the tofu for cooked shredded chicken breast for a non-vegetarian option. Note

The fish can be marinated and threaded onto skewers a day ahead, store, covered, in the refrigerator. You can use any large fish fillets or steaks, such as ling, gemfish, snapper, kingfish or silver warehou, for this recipe. Soak 12 bamboo skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before using to avoid scorching or […]

Many countries have similar kinds of dishes: Spain has a cocido with chickpeas, the French have the pot-au-feu - the origins are always peasant food where cheap cuts of meat and seasonal vegetables are cooked together in one big pot.

Allspice, also known as pimento or Jamaican pepper, is so-named because it tastes like a combination of clove, nutmeg, cinnamon and cumin ­all spices. It is available from spice shops and supermarkets. Note

A bright, colourful and fresh Vietnamese salad with pan-fried tofu.

American-style pork ribs are well-trimmed mid-loin ribs; you will find them at butcher shops and most supermarkets. Note

Coleslaw is a great crunchy addition to sandwiches. It can have just about anything in it as long as shredded cabbage is the chief ingredient. Most coleslaws also have grated carrot and a mayonnaise or vinegar (or both) dressing. Note

Sticky, smoky American-style pork ribs with a zesty and crunchy slaw.

You can buy the roast beef, already cooked and sliced, from any deli. Make the coleslaw the night before, and make the sandwich at lunch time the next day. Use whatever cabbage you like; we used red cabbage, but try the chinese variety (wombok), it’s easy to shred finely. Note

Can use leftover roast pork or chinese barbecued pork. Note

Slow cooker: suitable to the end of step 2. Pressure cooker: suitable to the end of step 2. Not suitable to freeze. Note

A super quick and easy pork sausage dish with crispy potatoes and cabbage for those busy midweek dinners.

The perfect Asian starter dish; homemade spring rolls.

A quick and easy pork dish with a sweet and salty Asian coleslaw by Australian Women's Weekly.

A bright, colourful and fragrant saffron vegetable tagine with cinnamon and preserved lemon.