High in protein, low in fat and bursting with B vitamins, lentils and beans are proof that good things come in small packages. Cheap, cheerful and great for bulking out soups and stews, these little legumes should be everyone's store cupboard staples. Get your pulse racing with Bill Granger's chickpea stew and Giorgio Locatelli's herby lentil soup: a fragrant taste sensation. Lentils and beans are perfect partners for slow-cooked meat - try Sophie Grigson's lamb shanks with flageolet beans, or belly of pork with butter beans from Tamasin Day-Lewis.
A hearty lentil and vegetable soup, fragrant with rosemary, sage and bay, from Giorgio Locatelli
Slow cooking yields a melting pot of tender pork and flavoursome home-baked beans in this hearty recipe from Tamasin Day-Lewis
Perfect for vegetarians, a spicy chickpea dish from Bill Granger
James Martin's knock out starter combo combines crispy ham, a delicious duo of beans and a creamy walnut dressing
Rachel Allen's speedy little recipe is great with roast lamb or as a pasta sauce with lots of grated parmesan
Cannellini beans, rocket and smoked paprika spice up the accompaniment to these crisp fillets of sea bass, from Matt Tebbutt
Delia Smith's comforting winter warmer is simple to make and crammed with the sweet flavour of slow-cooked lamb and tender beans
Rachel Allen adapts Indian lentils to go with spiced-up British mash
A healthy and delicious vegetarian dish in minutes from Tana Ramsay
Paul Rankin's colourful Mexican-style salsa goes wonderfully with grilled meat, chicken or fish.
