Tastiest 'budget' meal ideas
I was tossing up whether to post this in the budgeting area or here, but I figured this was the best place (I hope I'm right!).
Due to having to purchase several presents for birthdays, new babies, baby showers ect this fortnight I've gone slightly over my budget. In an attempt to pay ourselves 'back' next fortnight I thought I'd try to be a bit more savvy with our meals. We never exactly go overboard, but I know we can save more.
Anyway, I'm looking for your tastiest budget meal ideas. I have a few we cook that are cheap, but new ideas are always welcome! Please remember I have two little girls, so whilst I can spend a bit of time on cooking, I don't have massive amounts of time to cook. Slow cooker ideas always welcome!
Tastiest 'budget' meal ideas
Tuna pasta/chicken pasta.
Tastiest 'budget' meal ideas
Fried rice and sticky wings, koftftas w/ pilaf and salad, homemade pizza, pastitsio, fish pie topped with potato, risotto, kedgeree, moussaka, curries (made from cheap cuts), gravy beef casseroles, pulled beef or chicken (in tacos, on rolls with slaw, in crepes and baked, in tortillas and baked, on roast potatoes), roasted drumsticks with chorizo, onion, zucchini, capsicum and potato (all baked together for an hour) drizzle with lemon scatter fresh chopped parsley Noms, pumpkin soup, a corn and bacon chowder, potato and bacon soup, cheesy broccoli soup, minestrone, Nigellas squash and rice happiness soup, tuna/chicken mornay, stroganoff meatballs, Swedish meatballs.
Some tips to keep on budget, buy produce on special and have backup recipes so you can buy what you need to make certain dishes at the same time. I try not to buy fresh fruit & veg or meat at a large grocery store unless you know something is cheaper. I buy my meat from a large halal butcher and the quality is awesome and it's cheaper because of the high turn over. I get pork from Asian butchers for the same reason. Fruit and veg I also find cheaper from cold stores and outlet green grocer types. Again quality is awesome. And make sure you store them so they don't expire. Nothing worse than throwing out spring onions before you have got to use them or the fresh herbs that cost $2 each. Google food storage tips and you'll get some great ones.