For those days when you are trying to keep the calories down but want something which will satisfy, lentils do the trick due to their protein and soluble fibre. This is a deceptively simple recipe. One of those rare gems of a recipe whose result is greater than the sum of its parts.

If you’re attempting to lose weight, it can be hard to find satisfying meals which don’t tip the energy scales. This is one we love, with plenty of flavour but low in calories.

Also known as ‘Stand-by veggie chilli’ to those on the 5:2 Fast Diet, this low-energy dinner recipe will fill the stomach without excessive joules. The recipe is easy and quick to prepare and uses many cupboard staples. The serving size is versatile because this dish can be satisfying in a small portion if served with accompaniments like bread; for 270 g we have 150 calories and will serve 4 people. As a generous meal-in-a-bowl with twice the portion size of 525 g, you will still have only 300 calories and very satisfied.

This is a hearty meal for those hungry indoor evenings when you’re watching the calories. It has many of the characteristics of a full-fat stew, but is mostly healthy vegetables with some delicious pieces of tender meat. Let’s not forget the wine, which gives the stew an indulgent quality that is hard to resist.

Thyme; dried · Savory, dried · Oregano, dried · Rosemary, dried · Parsley, dried · Marjoram, dried · Lavender flowers, dried

You can call it pomme purée if you’re feeling fancy and French. Whatever you call it, it is delicious decadence. Heston’s approach is designed to take advantage of enzymatic actions activated at specific temperatures in an unsurprisingly scientific and interesting variation on our silky mash technique or the ChefSteps approach (which looks amazing). Perhaps one night we’ll make each recipe and do a taste test. Too much mash? Never.