Recipe: Easy any-meat & vegetables on rice

This recipe can be used to make an inexpensive and sustaining family meal in 20 minutes with whatever you have to hand.

1. Chop up an onion and fry with a little oil in a large saucepan. Add garlic if you like it and have it.

2. Add any sort of meat you have, chopped or diced into pieces (sausages, beef, lamb, chicken, pork, meatballs – it doesn't matter as long as it is cut into pieces and boneless). Cook until browned.

3. Add any chopped vegetables that you have: raw or cooked. Especially use up anything looking a bit sad. Continue cooking on medium/low.

4. Add a tin of tomatoes (plain or flavoured). Keep simmering.

5. If you don't have much meat, or want to bulk the meal out, add a tin of chick peas, lentils or beans.

6. Cruise the fridge looking for leftovers: odd bits left over from other meals, bacon, cold meats, hummus, sauces, dips, gravy... basically anything that needs using up (but isn't past its use-by date). Chop up or scrape out into pan. Keep saucepan simmering.

7. Check out the fruit bowl for soft or bruised apples or pears that no one will eat – chop up the best bits and add to pan (not too much, if you don't like sweet tastes).

8. Add any frozen vegetables you fancy (e.g. spinach, mixed vege, peas).

9. Add a bit of chutney, herbs, seasoning mix, and/or a splash of wine. Salt & pepper to taste.

10. Leave simmering while you cook some rice.

11. Keep an eye on the meat mixture. If looks a bit too thick, add a little water. If it looks too watery for your tastes, thicken with a little bit of flour or cornflour.

12. Once rice is cooked, serve together.