Homemade fast food that's bigger and badder than a takeaway
Bad-ass burgers
Burgers can take a few minutes, many hours or even days to make, depending on how much love and dedication you're willing to put in. Lots of us have never made a burger, opting instead for a takeaway or pre-made burger from the shops. If that includes you, you're missing out. These are the ultimate burgers that you just have to try (and none of them take days to make!).
Ellis Barrie shows you how to make his ultimate banging burger
Suya steak burger
This African-inspired burger contains suya – a fiery spice mix popular in West Africa
Epic Tandoori cod burger
Nadiya's tandoori fish burger is flavoured with a masala mix and served with a zingy onion and cucumber salad, all sandwiched between slices of brioch
Slow-cooked rib bao burger
This recipe takes time, but it’ll be worth the wait for the tenderest sticky beef served in a soft Chinese-style steamed bun.
Dirty fried chicken
Whether you're hosting the football, having a Friday night in or prepping for a KFC shortage, having the perfect fried chicken recipe is crucial. These are on a different level from anything you can buy in the shops.
Buttermilk fried chicken
Tom Kerridge's fried chicken recipe will satisfy your cravings for juicy, smoky, spicy fast food
Indian-spiced fried chicken
South Indian fried chicken recipe that would taste amazing in a paratha with homemade tomato chutney
Fancy schmancy chicken nuggets
These homemade chicken nuggets are posh people-pleasers. Serve as a moreish canapé at your next party.
Ways to my heart: buy me tacos, make me tacos... be tacos
America is big on Mexican cuisine, with its fast-food trucks lining the country, and the UK has seen its fair share of quick-service Mexican (and Tex-Mex) restaurants opening up too.
Soft and crunchy filled tacos are perfect for making at home with the family. Everyone can pile on their favourite toppings and leave off anything they don't like, making homemade filled tacos bigger and better than anything you can buy from a fast-food joint. Check out our recipes.
Ensenada fish tacos
These are served with a chipotle crema and pico de gallo salsa
Yucatán chicken tacos
This is such an easy chicken taco recipe
Pulled pork crispy tacos
Slow-cooked pork shoulder needs no effort, while you can tailor the fixings to your liking
For the love of sandwiches
The average Briton eats more than 18 thousand sandwiches in their lifetime. If you buy them ready made, that could easily cost upwards of £40,000 (perhaps the millennials' financial worries aren't just down to avocados!). If you're partial to a sandwich made from pre-sliced bread with your usual fillings, think again. A chicken salad sandwich might be nostalgic and inviting, but you can make something so much more interesting with a bit of effort!
The ultimate egg and bacon roll
An egg-cellent fried egg sandwich is soon to be your new brunch favourite. Make your egg and bacon roll extra special with the addition of avocado, tomato and chilli
Meatball sub
Sometimes all you need is a really good sandwich and this one with homemade meatballs and tomato sauce does just the trick
Mushroom doner
A meat-free mushroom ‘doner’ kebab packed with two types of sauces, pickles and veg. A mighty delicious vegetarian dish
Friday night pizzas
Pizza is more than a food, it's a lifestyle. Most pizzas in the UK are eaten on a Friday and that's not suprising! Fridays are for films, friends and talking in the late or early hours. BUT if you only ever order in, there is a whole world of pizza that you're missing out on. Whether you make or buy the dough, it's all about the toppings.
Caramelised onion, goats' cheese and Parma ham
Homemade pizza tastes wonderful. Give Mary's a go for a special supper that will please everyone
Vegan pizza
You can use any vegetables you like for this vegan pizza – just remember to keep them thinly sliced and don’t overcrowd the base
This easy Margherita pizza is ready in less than 30 minutes
While we're talking fast food...
These three could be the next big things to hit the high street (though they'd be bigger and badder if cooked at home!).
Yorkshire pudding wraps became the nation's favourite thing last Christmas. But why stop there? Yorkshires are the perfect vessel for almost any veggies, meats and sauces.
Yorkshire pudding wrap
Calling all Yorkshire pudding fans, take it to a whole new level with this tasty twist that makes a complete main course
If there's one thing you should be doing in 2019, it's filling up chapatis and naan breads with curries you would have otherwise had with rice. Of course rice has a place, but wrapping up your curry makes it a perfect meal to go.
Masala chapati
This bright, fragrant veggie curry is served in a chapati making it the ultimate sandwich
The Yucatán peninsula in Mexico is laden with street food stalls selling deep-fried coconut king prawns. Tex-Mex is big in the UK, and we're seeing more of the authentic Mexican stuff too!
Coconut fried prawns
Rick Stein became a fan of coconut fried prawns after visiting the Yucatan peninsula
Originally published April 2019
