Does Anyone Have Any Cheap But Tasty Recipes?

[TemperamentalGoddess]

Does anyone have any recipes which are cheap to make?

I'm a student at the moment so I'm looking for anything cheap but really tasty that I can make.  

[Isis Sister Of Osiris]

What's your weekly food budget? Namely, how much money can you spend on food? Also, what storage space do you have handy and how would you prepare your food?  

[TemperamentalGoddess]

Gigi Deveraux

What's your weekly food budget? Namely, how much money can you spend on food? Also, what storage space do you have handy and how would you prepare your food?

About £30-40 a week after rents paid for everything.

If I get into the flat I want I'll have a at least two under counter cuboards and half of the fridge and half of the freezer.

I have lots of things that I can use to prepare food. I like meals that I can cook off and freeze then heat up when needed but I am willing to cook other meals if I feel like it.  

[Faebella]

Do you have a slow cooker/crockpot?  

[Faebella]

If so, here are a few cheap and really easy recipes to cook.

Obviously, pot roast comes to mind when I think of slow cooking.
You could do BBQ Pulled pork from the leftover meat from the stew. Just simply take the meat, shred it, and add BBQ sauce. 2 meals right there.

I've done chicken and dumplings, which turned out wonderfully.

I recently did "fauxangna" in my crock. (fake lasagna)
This is just spaghetti sauce with cooked meat in it, like you would do with spaghetti, cheese raviolis, and cheddar cheese. Because it's all already cooked, youre basically just heating and melting cheese up. You layer everything, starting with the meat sauce, then a layer of raviolis, meat sauce ravioulis, etc till you either run out of one or the other, or the crock is filled. Add cheese on top. This was fantastic, and you can freeze the left overs easily. I just served out portions into zip lock bags, removed the air and tossed in the freezer.

You can easily do up freezer "toss and go" bags for the crock too. Through your ingredients in a gallon freezer bags and freeze. When you are ready to use them, just pull out of the freezer and toss into the crock pot in the morning. Here is a website with some ideas for these bags.

722 crockpot recipes.

You can also freeze up soups in a muffin tin and then store them. When ready to use, you can throw them into a mug, pop in the microwave, and wahla, fast simple cheap dinner!

If you'd like any more recipes, breakfast/lunch/dinner/snacks to make in the crock pot, feel free to PM me and I'll send you some great recipes. smile  

[Isis Sister Of Osiris]

Skaterneogirl

About £30-40 a week after rents paid for everything.

If I get into the flat I want I'll have a at least two under counter cuboards and half of the fridge and half of the freezer.

I have lots of things that I can use to prepare food. I like meals that I can cook off and freeze then heat up when needed but I am willing to cook other meals if I feel like it.

I see. Since I don't know average market prices for your location, I'll just give you some general advice.

First and foremost, learn the sales patterns in your area grocery shops. Keep the ads and/or flyers for the local stores, and visit to see what goes on sale each week.

Stay away from the processed packaged food section. Other than some things like broths and seasonings, you don't really need them, especially if you're cooking for just yourself. (Comfort foods are an exception; mine is instant mashed potatoes - bought on sale, of course!)

Stock up on staple dry foods that keep a long time. Pastas, rice, dried beans and legumes, certain mixes (like for pancakes/waffles) and other grains. Canned foods are also best bought on sale, especially things you use frequently.

If you pool resources with your flatmate, you can jointly buy a large tray of meats and split it. Freeze portions in resealable sandwich bags. You can also do this with frozen vegetables.

Only buy as much fresh produce as you're sure you will consume within the week. The same goes for milk, if you drink it. Cheeses and cold cuts can stay good for up to a month in the refrigerator.

Faebella

Do you have a slow cooker/crockpot?

This. So much this. Especially on days when I don;t feel like doing much, I just throw a few things into the slow cooker and let dinner make itself. A rice cooker can also serve as a slow cooker, just make sure whatever you're making comes to a boil, then turn it down. Also, be sure to place tin foil under the lid if it's vented.  

[TemperamentalGoddess]

Faebella

Do you have a slow cooker/crockpot?

I don't know what they are.

I do have casserole dishes though.

edit - I have some of the big supermarkets in my area, namely Tesco and Lidl.  

[Faebella]

Skaterneogirl

Faebella

Do you have a slow cooker/crockpot?

I don't know what they are.

I do have casserole dishes though.

Giiiiirl. You don't know what your missing!
This is a staple in most homes! Lol.

You could find one cheap at a thrift store I'm sure.
You should go out and buy one. This will be your best friend.

Here is an Amazon search for crock pots if you wanted to buy new.
Really, look into finding one, they are a blessing.  

[TemperamentalGoddess]

Faebella

Skaterneogirl

Faebella

Do you have a slow cooker/crockpot?

I don't know what they are.

I do have casserole dishes though.

Giiiiirl. You don't know what your missing!
This is a staple in most homes! Lol.

You could find one cheap at a thrift store I'm sure.
You should go out and buy one. This will be your best friend.

Here is an Amazon search for crock pots if you wanted to buy new.
Really, look into finding one, they are a blessing.

I will try to save up for one then ^^ I believe my gran has one or used to have one but she rarely uses it.  

[KimCare]

Skaterneogirl

Does anyone have any recipes which are cheap to make?

I'm a student at the moment so I'm looking for anything cheap but really tasty that I can make.

Easy two-tone fruit dip:

One packet of hot chocolate mix
One tub of whipped cream
One small jar cherries with juice
Toothpicks
Plate to hold fruit and dip
Assorted fruit to put in dip (sliced apples work well, as do segmented oranges but other, smaller fruits will need additional toothpicks):

1) drain cherry juice into whipped cream, stir until well blended
* put cherries into small bowl, set aside
2) stir hot chocolate into whipped cream mix until equally combined
*chill in refrigerator, until ready to serve

Arrange chosen fruit on plate, and place cherries & toothpicks next to dip
Enjoy!  

[Lashuri Chan]

Shrimp pasta. I think seafood is more expensive though, the small ones are, but I hate the jumbo, big shrimp.

Spicy chicken tenders! I think chicken is also a little pricey too.......ummmm.....I don't know I'm kind of a enspenvie shopper even though it bites me in the butt days later gonk

 

[BibbityBoppityPOW]

One of the things my husband and I do is homemade bread. Honestly it comes down to like, 30 cents a loaf. After you've done it a few times it's a peice of cake! Well, erm, bread but you get the general idea.

Dry beans are a must, since once they're cooked you can toss them into a pot for stewing or even blend them in a processor with a little bit of garlic salt, some salsa and fresh herbs and have a yummy spread for your toast!

Try to get things only on sale. Generally stores will have a cart or section specifically for items nearing their expiration date. Or damaged, like with dents. I got a giant can of severely dented pears for .70. I saved like, $3.  

[bunibby]

Casseroles are pretty cheap, I usually only use 2 or 3 ingredients and you can feed 2 people 4 helpings

Stews and big pots of soups can last me a couple of days too. Just make a big pot of it, eat, then store it, heat it back up, and eat again biggrin