food on a budget

[honey33]

do you have any ideas pleeeaaseee.... food is going to rise yet again so i need to do a weekly meal planner and dont know where to start if anyone can help????

there is just the 2 of us and we like just the good old fashioned food like roast dinners and things that are quick and easy healthy but will cost as little as poss...can someone give me any ideas

[Buenchico]

This thread might be a useful starting point:
http://www.theanswerb...d/Question933847.html

This link might help as well:
http://www.bbcgoodfoo...favourites/cheap-eat/

Chris

[Eve]

I used to get a cheap bit of beef brisket and put it in the oven in water instead of fat so it's healthier, used to find it made lovely soft roasties with it too (you can always crisp up if you want), then use the water to make gravy. You could buy some large bags of frozen veg like peas and beans.

You could make things like Cottage Pie and bulk out with veggies which are cheaper. Hotpot is lovely and quite cheap too.

Pasta is very cheap and you can get things like tinned tuna in bulk packs cheaper and basic sauces can be very cheap to make.

Rice is also filling and can be bought in larger packs and can be put with all sorts. If you get a larger piece of meat for a roast you can use the leftovers to make things like curry. Cold leftover lamb is lovely with egg and chips.

Buying on offer and cooking in bulk (eg 2 for 1 supermarket offers) and freezing could also save money.

I also find a lot of the pound and discount stores have some products much cheaper than in the supermarkets. Some markets too, especially for fruit and veg.

Just make sure it's balanced and healthy as well.

[collette62]

Just an example if you dont like the foods take it out and put what you like in!

Monday - Spaghetti Bolognese
Tuesday - Stew
Wednesday - Potato and Leak Soup
Thursday - Chips and Burger or maybe chicken or fish whatever you like
Friday - Cottage Pie or Shepherds Pie
Saturday - Takeaway (eg chinese, pizza) (only every now and then)
Sunday - Your sunday dinner

Replace any of these with pasta bake or anything you like that up there is balanced! :) Hope I helped

[oranger]

At this time of year a slow cooker is a good investment, buy a cheap cut of meat, chicken etc, add some root veggies, some stock, and there you have a hot, cheap, and healthy meal.You can add some green veg later if required

[pastafreak]

Don't forget eggs for omelettes...or learn to make a Spanish tortilla...it's very much like a quiche,but without the fattening pastry. Make a 6 egg one-and you have enough for 2 meals eaten hot or cold.
Get the largest chicken you can afford-you'll easily get 2-3 main meals plus make stock for soup-another 2-3 meals with crusty bread.
Learn to love pulses.Served with rice,they are very filling,and can be spiced up. Particularly good if you like Indian food.
Tinned fish-sardines and mackerel-are a cheap and healthy way to get your Omega 3's. Serve on toast with some sautéed potatoes on the side.

[honey33]

thank you everyone for all your suggestions....... i like the idea of bulking up with veg.

also what can i do with pulses and barley , oh and rice is something i never seem to have in my diet unless i have a chinese takeaway lol
any ideas for a one pot with rice ??.... i do have a slow cooker and mainly use it for chicken or beef stew or a joint of meat

i dont like too spicy things also but what herbs and less hot spicy flavourings can i use on certain meals to give some flavour

[Craftypig]

Soya meat is an (okish) substitute for real meat, its a lot cheaper too.

[Chaffinch]

If you have a garden, even a small one now is a good time to start to plan a veg patch, and a few containers of herbs. You can grow salad crops really cheeply, and have lettice in winter next year as well as all through the summer. A lot of fruit and veg you can grow easily is very expensive in the shops.

Not a quick solution, but a good long term one, but be carefull grwoing your own becomes adictive!!! (Pumpkin soup for lunch me thinks)

[pastafreak]

Here are some thrifty rice recipes...you can add anything you want to rice to make it a meal
Infact-this whole site is perfect for your need to cut your food budget......

http://www.lovefoodha...pes/list?food=95-rice

[honey33]

was thinking of buying a blueberry bush i love blueberries but they are so expensive in the shops... i dont have a garden and im very limited on space... i grew 2 tomatoe plants this year so i could take salads to wrok in the summer but they didnt ripen till late august and buy then i was sick of eating salds made up from tomatos out of the supermarket lol

[honey33]

just had a quick look at the love food hate waste site and looks really good so will have a good look at that in a bit im sure i can get some good ideas from there

you have all been brilliant on your suggestions. thanks very much

[craft1948]

Reminds me of my early (skint) married days. My first cookbook was something like 100 Ways to Cook Mince.....

[pastafreak]

With splodgy fingerprints and food splashes on page 109 because the easiest recipe was there. ;-)

[madmaggot]

Best advice I can give is to only do a 'loose' plan for the week,then when you do your shopping, amend it according to what is on offer or best buy.
Get yourself a good budget cookery book from a charity shop and don't be afraid to change and adapt receipes. Don't throw any food away; stop and think first: can I make something with this? Soups, rice or pasta based dishes are ideal for using up leftovers or stuff that is in danger of 'going over'.

[karenmac60]

A decent sized chicken can go a long way between 2. Have it roasted with veg and potatoes one night, then cold with a salad the next night and then strip the carcass and make something with a sauce the following night - curry, chicken supreme etc. Finally use the carcass for stock for a nice big pot of soup.

[Eve]

Bulking up with veg is a great way to make things cheaper and it's healthy so win win really.

I find soups made with chunky vegetables can be really nice and filling and a decent meal in themselves. You can also put rice, pasta or pulses in as well.

You can make all sorts with rice. It's lovely with turmeric to make it yellow and mix with mushroom, peppers, peas etc... for a lovely spanishy style rice. Couscous is also pretty cheap and makes a great filling part of a meal.

[ayabrea38]

loads of ideas here
http://forums.moneysa...wthread.php?t=2169657

[scotman]

Depending how often you shop you may want to consider that most supermarkets have a shelf for items on or near their sell-by date. These are usually reduced in price. I always look at these and find that most times you can quite easily go 2-3 days past the date.