Blimey! No sooner have we got Valentine's Day - and Chinese New Year - over than it's Pancake Day. Here's how to make 'em if you've never tried 'em before.

Despite the title of this website and books I've nothing against baked beans! They’re a good wholesome food which provides protein, fibre and some useful minerals like iron. But you could occasionally ring the changes . . .

Among the skills you will need in the next few days, if you’re a fresher, is the art of making a decent cup - or rather mug - of tea. Why on earth do you need to be told that? Because so many people make rubbish tea and teamaking skills impress as Masterchef James Nathan confided last year in the Guardian

Maybe you all know how to make scrambled eggs but it can be a tricky dish to get right. The crucial thing is not to cook them too quickly otherwise the egg seizes up and goes rubbery. Here’s how to do it from scratch:

It’s a myth, of course, that every family sits down to a Sunday roast these days but it is undoubtedly the meal that most students miss most when they go off to uni. So why not try one out this weekend?

How to make a simple cheese sauce (and therefore macaroni or cauliflower cheese)

Making a smooth soup starts the same way as making a chunky soup. All you need is a blender.

Homemade soup tastes much better and is far cheaper than most of the ready-made soups you can buy. A great student staple.