The price of food is rising so rapidly it's frightening so we all need cheap meal ideas. One thing for instant impact on reducing costs is to go back to the stove and cook. Dig out those family recipes gathering dust on the book shelves. Forget the ready meals and fast food instead cook fresh, local, seasonal produce. More often not than not this food will be cheaper to buy, more nutritious and taste better.
With a little careful consideration it is still easy to eat well and save money.
With a little careful consideration it is still easy to eat well and save money.
Make Hearty Warming Soups
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What better way to keep out wintry chills than with a bowl of warm, nourishing soup.
They are quick and easy to prepare and in these times of rising prices, usually cheap to make. Soups can be eaten as a starter dish, or with a heftier portion as a main course, especially if accompanied with crusty bread and butter.
Using seasonal vegetables keeps the costs down, out of season vegetables are usually imported and therefore more expensive.
A bowl of thick, hearty Cock-a-Leekie uses leeks, carrots and chicken, all easily available. Beans and pulses are another cheap way to make a thick, filling soup. What could be quicker, easier or cheaper than a Vegetable and Bean Soup filled with nourishing, cheap vegetables and white beans.
They are quick and easy to prepare and in these times of rising prices, usually cheap to make. Soups can be eaten as a starter dish, or with a heftier portion as a main course, especially if accompanied with crusty bread and butter.
Using seasonal vegetables keeps the costs down, out of season vegetables are usually imported and therefore more expensive.
A bowl of thick, hearty Cock-a-Leekie uses leeks, carrots and chicken, all easily available. Beans and pulses are another cheap way to make a thick, filling soup. What could be quicker, easier or cheaper than a Vegetable and Bean Soup filled with nourishing, cheap vegetables and white beans.
Make the Most of Cheaper Cuts of Meat
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Use cheaper cuts of meat, they need longer, slower, cooking but the effort is worth it with hearty stews, casseroles and bakes.
Think British and Stew and Dumplings or Irish Stew are always winners or try these stews from About's Guide to Italian Food.
With minced meats - a homemade burger is quick to make and cheaper than a bought one or try two British favorites Shepherd's or Cottage Pie. Great for cost efficiency are British sausages in a quick, easy and cheap Toad in the Hole
If you still want your Sunday roast, cook a chicken. A Lemon Roast Chicken makes a great Sunday lunch and the left-overs can be used in a soup or stock. And what could be easier than this chicken recipe from About's American Food Guide ?
Think British and Stew and Dumplings or Irish Stew are always winners or try these stews from About's Guide to Italian Food.
With minced meats - a homemade burger is quick to make and cheaper than a bought one or try two British favorites Shepherd's or Cottage Pie. Great for cost efficiency are British sausages in a quick, easy and cheap Toad in the Hole
If you still want your Sunday roast, cook a chicken. A Lemon Roast Chicken makes a great Sunday lunch and the left-overs can be used in a soup or stock. And what could be easier than this chicken recipe from About's American Food Guide ?
Throw Out the Take-Away Menus
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Time to leave the phone on the hook and head to the kitchen instead. Take-away food is convenient but it is also expensive.
Chicken Tikka Massala is one of Britain's favorite curries and is so quick, easy and cheap to make. Forget the meat with these two vegetarian curries - Chickpea Curry or a delicious Vegetable Biryani . If curry whets your appetite have a look at all the wonderful, quick recipes of Curry Around the World.
There are hundreds of fast, easy Thai recipes from Darlene Schmidt , Chinese with Rhonda Parkinson , Japanese and Mexican.
You can't fail to be inspired.
Chicken Tikka Massala is one of Britain's favorite curries and is so quick, easy and cheap to make. Forget the meat with these two vegetarian curries - Chickpea Curry or a delicious Vegetable Biryani . If curry whets your appetite have a look at all the wonderful, quick recipes of Curry Around the World.
There are hundreds of fast, easy Thai recipes from Darlene Schmidt , Chinese with Rhonda Parkinson , Japanese and Mexican.
You can't fail to be inspired.
Don't Forget the Fish
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Fish is healthy, is nutritious and an essential part of a healthy diet. If you are lucky enough to live near the coast finding fresh fish is easy and usually cheaper.
Not near the coast, there are still plenty of cheap and cheerful choices available to most. One good tip is to get to know what fish are in season and what fish is available where you live. A local fishmonger can be your best guide, so make friends with them. I ask my fishmonger for off-cuts which make a great Fish Pie. If you are reliant on a supermarket About's Fish Guide has some good tips on buying fish.
Don't forget added value fish products of canned or smoked fish. What could be easier or cheaper than a delicious Salade Nicoise made with canned Tuna.
Not near the coast, there are still plenty of cheap and cheerful choices available to most. One good tip is to get to know what fish are in season and what fish is available where you live. A local fishmonger can be your best guide, so make friends with them. I ask my fishmonger for off-cuts which make a great Fish Pie. If you are reliant on a supermarket About's Fish Guide has some good tips on buying fish.
Don't forget added value fish products of canned or smoked fish. What could be easier or cheaper than a delicious Salade Nicoise made with canned Tuna.
Last but not Least - Pudding
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An easy way to save money would be to cut down on desserts and puddings. But why? We all need a bit of cheering up and a sweet comforting pudding is one of the easiest ways. Make the most of seasonal fruits for scrumptious puddings. Apples are cheap and plentiful especially autumn through winter. What could be more cheering than a warm Apple Pie or easier than an Apple Mousse. One of the cheapest puddings in the British kitchen is a classic Bread and Butter Pudding !
Rhubarb is another lovely, cheap fruit that is cheap and available almost year round. Rhubarb makes a comforting Crumble or a light Rhubarb Fool and becomes ultra-sophisticated as a Jelly .
Rhubarb is another lovely, cheap fruit that is cheap and available almost year round. Rhubarb makes a comforting Crumble or a light Rhubarb Fool and becomes ultra-sophisticated as a Jelly .
