Got a glut of nuts and seeds in that cupboard? Quickly roast them, then blend them to make a nut butter – and have fun with the flavourings

Passatelli is a cheesy, lemony, moreish northern Italian speciality, and is a typically delicious and ingeniously thrifty way to use up stale bread

Who knew pizza crusts could be turned into a Provencal dip for … pizza crusts?

A thrifty Chinese creation that’s refreshing in dishes from all cuisines

Herbs, six eggs and a few vegetable odds and ends will transform readily into a picnic or evening meal

Graze on toasted watermelon seeds or sprinkle them over yoghurt, soups or salads, much as you would sunflower seeds for added crunch

Cold-brew coffee is expensive to buy because it takes time to make, but it’s effortless and cheap to DIY

A bit of leftover naan, ciabatta, baguette or flatbread is the perfect vehicle for using up all sorts of odds and ends in the fridge. Stick it under the grill and hey presto: homemade ‘pizza’

Pickled peach is wonderful on a green salad or with cheese. It’s also a thrifty way to preserve a summer’s favourite stone fruit

Lacto-fermentation is a great way to preserve a glut of summer vegetables. And it’s easy, too

The oil from a tin of fish is an umami bomb to be deployed in all sorts, from kedgeree and fry-ups to potato salad

Roast mushy or under-ripe strawberries with a few sweeteners and aromatics to add depth, and turn an inedible bowlful into something quite remarkable

Soak stale bread in a tomatoey dressing, add red onion and fresh tomato, season at will and, hey presto, you have a panzanella

Add lemon juice and a bit of garlic to the near-empty jar of tahini and shake for a superb dressing – it’s lovely on this Palestinian cooked salad

There’s a lovely variety of textures in these crushed roasties

This tutti frutti sorbet of anything you fancy will make your fruit bowl go further

What to do with a leftover barbecued sausage? Add broccoli and beans for a quick and easy midweek meal

Salted caramel made with bacon fat? Surely not! Then again, whyever not?

A green goddess salad without eggs tossed in a knockout dressing using tasty odds and ends you might otherwise have thrown away

Hearty, nutritious and a thrifty way to give unused fruit and veg some love