Henry Dimbleby's recipes for healthy, family-friendly fast food

In 1950, less than 1% of the British population was clinically obese; today, that figure is 28%. This is not because we have suffered a massive breakdown of willpower, but because we live in a different food environment than our predecessors. Modern industrial production methods have created an abundance of cheap, unhealthy foods of a type we are biologically programmed to crave. Because junk food is easy to sell, companies spend huge amounts of money developing and marketing it. We eat more of it, the market expands, manufacturers spend more on it, we eat more of it… and so on. We've become trapped in a cycle of junk food.

In my new book, Ravenous, I'm on a mission: to help anyone with an interest in the food system (which is everyone's of us) understand how it actually works, why it makes us sick and destroys our environment, and what we can do to change it. Over the next few weeks, I'll be sharing family recipes related to the book's key themes, starting with breaking that cycle. My healthy versions of junk food classics have been tested extensively on children: first, on my three children; then on thousands of children whose lunches have been transformed by the charity Chefs in Schools. They're also cheap and easy to make.

Pat's Bean Burgers

This recipe was passed on to me by Chef Jane Baxter, who got it from Katie , who got it from her mom Pat. From Pat, to Katie, to Jane, to me, to you. This is how recipes travel.

Prep 10 mins Rest 10 mins Cook 30 mins Yields 6

1 onion, peeled and finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed Leaves of about 4 sprigs of fresh thyme 1 tbsp olive oil 600g fava beans (weight of cloves) - frozen ones are fine Salt and pepper 50g rolled oats 1 large egg beaten1 tablespoon chopped parsley2 teaspoons stockpotOil, for frying

To serveTomato burger buns6 slices

Sweat the onion, garlic and thyme in olive oil over low heat for at least 15 minutes, until soft.< /p>

Blanch the beans in salted boiling water for three minutes, or until tender, then drain well. Mash the beans by hand or in a food processor (not too smooth – you want texture), then toss with the onions and the rest of the ingredients except the oil for frying. Let sit for at least 10 minutes, so that the oats soak up the egg, then season well.

Check seasoning by frying and tasting a bit of the mix. When you've done it well, shape it into six burger patties. They may look moist when you shape them, but they will hold their shape when fried. if you have trouble shaping them, add a teaspoon or two of gram flour (or regular flour) to stiffen them up.

Fry the burgers gently in oil for about five minutes on each side, until browned on both sides.

Drain on paper towel and serve in buns with tomato slices.

Green mac'n'cheese