Better than the takeaway

The advantages of making your own versions of takeaway favourites are many. They're often cheaper and quicker than the ones your order in. As a bonus, cooking them at home also gives you the chance to control the amount of butter, fat and sugar that goes in. You still get all the flavours, but far fewer calories.

Chinese
If Chinese is your thing, then quick-cooking noodles and stir-fries can be on the table in no time at all. This tasty kung po chicken takes just 20 minutes. Or why not rustle up a quick chicken chow mein or sweet and sour pork. Aromatic braised duck, like the gorgeous belly pork recipe in the video above, takes a little longer but might be a good one to try for a feast with family and friends.

Indian
Some Indian favourites, including subtly-spiced chicken korma and lamb rogan josh, benefit from being made in advance and left in the fridge so that the flavours develop fully. Then all you need to do is cook rice or serve with naan bread. If you need a quicker dish, try these creamy tandoori chicken kebabs - they can be on the table in 30 minutes.

Spicy chicken
If you want to try your hand at spicy chicken dishes, consider cuts such as wings that cook quickly and still give you loads of flavour. You'll need a big stack of napkins or some kitchen roll. Spiced chicken, buffalo chicken wings and Caribbean chicken with rice and peas can all be done in 30 minutes.

Mexican flavours
If you're craving a taste of Mexico, piccadillo tortillas are quick and easy to prepare, or try some delicious herby steak tortilla wraps. Chilli tacos and chicken fajitas can be done in 30 minutes.

Thai, Malaysian and Indonesian
Dishes from southeast Asia pack a lot of satisfying flavours into a warming bowlful. Try your hand at takeaway classics green curry or pad thai (and bear in mind that you can make them with chicken, prawn, beef or pork - whatever takes your fancy). Massaman curry with peanuts can be made with beef or duck.

More super-quick recipes:
Kheema aloo
Indian-spiced fritters with mango chutney
Pork with peppers and noodles
Chinese chicken with peppers
Chicken and coconut Thai curry rice