Barley has a unique chewy texture and nutty flavour. Cooking barley is easy and can be ready in under 30 minutes. This recipe is super speedy if you are using leftover steak or roast beef – a tip: cook an extra steak when you barbecue for a meal short-cut at the ready. Barley can also be cooked ahead, cooled and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months – another short-cut for speedy cooking.

Beef kabobs are a great grill option when you have a gathering – the work can all be done in advance, the grilling is fuss-free and the serving is simple. This recipe for Grilled Hawaiian Beef Kabobs makes lots of extra sauce that's nice for dipping.

These are big, meaty and delicious. Enjoy them as a meal with steamed veggies or a side salad. Don’t forget to serve with some pickles and dipping sauce.

In this recipe the title “Micro” does mean small, however this meatloaf is also cooked in the microwave! The microwave is an amazing time-saving tool in the kitchen for steaming veggies, melting chocolate, and, in this case, baking personal-size meat loaves for 2.