Recipes on a shoestring

PURSE FRIENDLY RECIPES

Freezer friendly, tasty, cheap and easy to make. Here are some top meal ideas for you and your family.

SIMPLE SOUP –ONE POTSoup is a quick, healthy, fun way to feed your family. Get everyone involved!!

Saucepans, mixing bowl, spoons knives, chopping board, wooden spoon, freezer containers…..

Items you will need

ingredients Oil/butter Onions Garlic Celery Leeks Potatoes Carrots Mushrooms Swede Any other vegetable of your

choice i.e. peppers, tomatoes, sweet corn etc.

Other items that can be added are things like Pasta, noodles.

For the dumplings(these are optional but delicious) Flour Salt Water Suet

seasonings add for your personal tasteChicken stock –a must Soup packetPepper –as hot as you likeHerbs –as liberal as you likeLemon

Vegetarian alternatives at the back

First things first….

WASH YOUR HANDS

Step 1

Chop the onion, Garlic, celery and leek

Step 3

Chop the potatoes, swede, carrots, and any other root vegetables

Step 4

Chop the chicken/ mushrooms and peppers

Step 3

Turn on the heat and add some oil

Step 5

Add your onions/garlic/leeks/celery to the pan

Step 6

Wait for them to soften

Step 7

Now for your chicken.. Cook until almost sealed

Step 8

Add your root vegetables i.e. Carrot, potatoes, swede

Step 9

Cover with water

add your stock cubes or liquid stock and season to your taste

Add your mushrooms, peppers, sweet corn etc., at this stage.

Step 12

Cook your soup—dumpling free for 45 mins-1hr

Leave it to boil… while you make your dumplings

Step 10

Add flour, salt and suet to a mixing bowl

Step 11

Add 3 tbsp. of water AS REQUIRED

Mix together until you have a sticky dough

Separate and roll in to balls to add to your soup

Step 13

Add your dumpling for a final 20-30 mins

Boil until vegetables are soft, chicken is cooked through…..

hearty, delicious and quick Chicken soup – here are some more alternatives

Serve …maybe add a slice of bread.

Make a better soup?? Cheaper alternatives?

Add your suggestions in the comment box and share your tips on how to save.

Any family winning recipes, that you make… why don’t you share them with us.

Veggie/cheaper and other alternatives

Minus the chicken and add more starch, beans and vegetables. Use vegetable stock or make your own.

Try some chilli or peppers for an extra kick Like your soup with a bit more meat… try using chicken portions or beef...Cook

for longer. (broiling/braising beef) Get your family in the kitchen…let them make the dumplings, stir the pot Want thinner soup…drain the liquid through a sieve, add some pasta/noodles

or your dumplings or blend for a creamier soup alternative. Freeze your portions…make a large pot of this and freeze it. Enjoy a cooking

free week. Don’t forget your local market when shopping for

vegetables and fruit. They have good quality products for a whole lot less…for more ways to save visit

Stay tuned… for our grow your own series

HOT POTATOES …JACKET POTATOESCreamy, hot and easy Baked Potatoes & 5 delicious toppings

Long forgotten classic, that’s not only cheap but delicious

Jacket Potatoes and 5 delicious toppings

Items you will need… Foil Knife Baking tray

IngredientsBaked Potatoes-Potatoes-Butter-seasonings (herbs,spices) Topping ingredients Cheesy topping-cheese Beans/special beansBaked BeansOnions PepperSeasonings Chilli con carneMinceTomato sauceChilliOnionsGarlic

RatatouillePeppersTomatoesOnions Garlic Herbs

Twice baked potatoesCheesechives

Baked potatoes are also a delicious, and healthy side dish to accompany your meal

Wash your hands

Step 1

Wash and prepare them for roasting… this may include removing any roots or blemishes on the potato.

Choose and wash your potato (s)

Pierce them evenly with a fork

Place them on a baking tray

wrap them individually in foil –this step is optional

Leave them in the oven for 50 mins -1hr

Place in the oven at Gas Mark 6-8

Pierce them evenly with a fork

Items you will need… Foil Knife Baking tray

IngredientsBaked Potatoes-Potatoes-Butter-seasonings (herbs,spices) Topping ingredients Cheesy topping-cheese Beans/special beansBaked BeansOnions PepperSeasonings Chilli con carneMinceTomato sauceChilliOnionsGarlic

RatatouillePeppersTomatoesOnions Garlic Herbs

Twice baked potatoesCheesechives

Baked potatoes are also a delicious, and healthy side dish to accompany your meal

Wash your hands

Step 1

Wash and prepare them for roasting… this may include removing any roots or blemishes on the potato.

Choose and wash your potato (s)

Pierce them evenly with a fork

Place them on a baking tray

wrap them individually in foil –this step is optional

Leave them in the oven for 50 mins -1hr

Place in the oven at Gas Mark 6-8

Push the sides together, to help the potato, split in half.

Remove from the oven, and cut a cross through the skin

Read on for alternative toppings

Serve with a knob of butter as a the meal or a side accompaniment

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Top with a sprinkling of grated cheese

A cheesy twist

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With chilli con carne

Add some heat …

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Try adding beans with a dash of cheese

Want something a bit more homely

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Add some ratatouille with a dash of sour cream/chives

Veggie alternative

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Fill them with a topping of your choice i.e. bacon then sprinkle with some cheese & chives. Pop back in the oven till cheese is golden brown.

Twice baked potatoes

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