Chef: Donal Skehan

Makes: 12

Banana and Oatmeal Muffins

I love to make these muffins for breakfasts and brunches; they are quite filling and a nice start to the day. You could add berries, chopped apple or stir through chocolate chips for an extra hit of sweetness.

Makes: 4

Basic Thin-Crust Pizza

Recipe by Donal Skehan

From: Kitchen Hero: Great Food for Less

Easy when you know how!

Serves: 6

Porchetta

Recipe by Donal Skehan

From: Kitchen Hero: Great Food for Less

This is definitely one of my favourite recipes in the book. It’s made using pork shoulder, an inexpensive cut that, when cooked in this manner, results in wonderfully tender meat and crispy crackling. If the idea of rolling and stringing up the shoulder around the stuffing is too much, take the stuffing with you to the butcher when you buy the meat and ask for it to be stuffed and rolled for you. Then it’s simply a case of roasting it.

Makes: 16

Whoopie Pies

Recipe by Donal Skehan

From: Kitchen Hero: Great Food for Less

During my search for the perfect whoopee pie, I was sent this recipe by a reader of my blog, whose mother in law, Mrs Linda Daunt, has lived all her life in Maine, New England and is a fantastic cook. Mrs Daunt's special touch is to add buttermilk instead of regular milk, to give the pies a richer taste. The original recipe uses a marshmallow-type filling, but I prefer to stick with regular buttercream frostings.

Makes: 18

Individual Lemon Meringue Pies

Recipe by Donal Skehan

From: Kitchen Hero: Great Food for Less

Why not try this delicious dessert?

Swedish Cinnamon Buns

Recipe by Donal Skehan

From: Kitchen Hero: Great Food for Less

Swedish cinnamon buns, or 'Kanelbulle', were the first thing I learned to bake when I stayed in Sweden. Pearl sugar is sprinkled on top to give it that distinctive finishing touch, but if you can't get your hands on any simply sprinkle a little Demerara sugar to finish.

Mojito

Recipe by Donal Skehan

From: Kitchen Hero: Great Food for Less

People panic a little bit about the measurements for cocktails, but it really is a case of making them to taste and remembering simple rules like one part alcohol to three part mixer for each person. Then just add the flavours! Get your hands on some fresh summer mint for these babies – it's one of the easiest herbs to grow, so just pick up a plant in the garden centre and pop it in a pot for fresh mint all summer long!

Teriyaki Salmon with Noodles and a Peanut Dressing

Recipe by Donal Skehan

From: Kitchen Hero: Great Food for Less

The fantastic thing about this recipe is that all it takes is to marinate the salmon and pop in the oven when your guests arrive. Serve with noodles in a peanut butter dressing for a tasty main course!