A bowl of ramen is a good thing - it's quick, convenient, cheap - and a great use of leftovers. This version is vegan, but you can easily add leftover roast chicken or pork, or a hard-boiled or poached egg. Best of all, everyone can dress up their own with any ingredients they like.

Pimped-out Ramen Noodles

Photo credit: Brooke of Cheeky Kitchen

These Vietnamese pork meatball sandwiches are a favourite at our house - what makes them (beyond the fish sauce in the meatballs - and I have some from last week's pad Thai!) is the grated carrot, quickly marinated in rice vinegar and sugar. A few strips of cucumber and sprigs of cilantro, and dinner's ready.

Pork Meatball Banh Mi (Vietnamese Subs)

Photo credit: Gwendolyn of Patent and the Pantry

Succotash sounds far fancier than it actually is - as Jaime describes it: You just start with the corn, and then throw in anything that sounds good. Kids tend to love corn, and the roasted shrimp on top are fun to peel and eat with your fingers.

Roasted Shrimp on Thai Succotash

Photo credit: Jaime of Sophistimom

Simply marinated chunks of beef threaded onto bamboo skewers cook quickly on the barbecue - serve with rice and a salad or wrap them in dolled-up pitas and slather with tzatziki. Perfect for welcoming summer.

Beef Souvlaki with Pita and Tzatziki

Photo credit: Aimee of Simple Bites

Paris is on my must-visit list - as much for the food as anything else. And what's more French than a simply roasted chicken? Stuffed with a handful of the fresh herbs that are already starting to grow, a wedge of lemon and halved head of garlic, it couldn't be easier on a Friday night.

Roast Chicken with Garlic, Lemon and Fresh Herbs