Totally foolproof and a little bit sophisticated, jazzed-up cous cous should be a midweek staple.

This salsa works so well because of the contrast between smooth, creamy avocado and the bright sharpness of tomato - it goes with everything.

This is an (almost) instant fresh chutney that will give a lively green kick to any curry. Go for as much or as little chilli as you like - you can also mix it through yoghurt for a cool, pale green dip to serve with tandoori prawns or cutlets or with samosas.

This week's smoky chilli beef with black beans is lifted to a whole other level of winter comfort when it's served with a side or topping of just baked, home-made cornbread. It takes all of three minutes in the food processor to prepare

We’re all a bit salad-happy here at the moment. Summer may, at last, be over, but we’re still craving the freshness, health-giving qualities and general zippiness of fresh, raw vegetables and leaves, put together with a few other interesting ingredients and a bit of care. Lunch, in particular, says salad time to us, especially a salad that can be packed in a container – or a jar, for the terminally on-trend – and taken to work or school. The sturdier leaves and vegetables available at this time of year call out for big flavours and robust dressings and can even handle being dressed ahead of time – a bonus when you’re making a salad that needs to travel.