Living costs: The student makes budget recipes for the kettle and microwave

A student has created a number of recipes that can be prepared with just a kettle and a microwave, using common ingredients provided by food banks.

Sophie Conant, 21, who is studying dietetics at the University of Nottingham, said she came up with the idea while volunteering at a food bank.

She said she wanted to help people get the most out of the food they were given.

The university said it was very proud of her.

She said she was inspired by a woman she helped at a local food bank.

“When I handed a package to a lady at the food bank, she looked in and said: ‘I don’t know what to do with all this, as I only have a microwave and kettle – how am I going to cook for my children? ‘” said Mrs Conant.

“It made me realize that there is a need for some kind of guidance for people to help them get the most out of the food they are given.

“As a dietetics student, I had the skills to try to do this.”

Students worked on making meals including Shepherd’s Pie, Mushroom Pasta, Sausage Casserole, Mexican Rice and Risotto.

Only one of the recipes – chickpea burgers – requires a stove.

“By combining ingredients and introducing canned vegetables or fruits, we were able to increase the nutritional value,” she said.

“A good example of this was when we took a Pot Noodle, which isn’t very nutritious on its own, and added hot dog sausages and canned vegetables to increase the volume and nutrients.”

As well as being available to download, the recipes will be distributed in a booklet – Easy Budget Meals – at food banks in Nottingham and Loughborough.

Jane Musson, assistant professor of dietetics at the university, said: “Sophie took on this project alongside her studies and spent a lot of her own free time developing these recipes.

“We are really proud of what she and her fellow students have accomplished.”