meal planning - where do i start?

Jariya

http://www.britishcornershop.co.uk/product.asp?id=12783

^^ is beanfeast - can be found in most shops - takes some tracking down and I think it's near pot noodles?

I'm not veggie - I'm about half veggie but this stuff is really tasty!! (used to be anyway- haven't had it for years!)

Bread is good to make pizzas on - less expense on pizza bases.

I (haven't for a while now) but used to either to go the market or go an buy value veggies and chop and freeze them myself.
Saves a lot on veggies and things like mushrooms are a lot cheaper in bulk and value plus they freeze very well.

I saw on here that you can cook up and freeze potato skins - pots freeze ok once cooked.

Jariya

Also..though I haven't investigated this yet - spices - they are a lot cheaper to buy if you have any local ethnic shops that sell them or you can order them online from various places.

I originally bought my spices selection in Tesco and it was a lot of cash!!
I have been lazy and must look online.

I am a big fan of getting the spices for a particular sauce judging by what is on the ingredients listing - then the ingredient at the top is the one you use most of to simulate the same taste.

Many companies now have ingredients listed online so it's just a case of printing the ingredients or writing them down and adding to your spice cupboard.
Anything too complicated to pronounce - I leave out! It tastes the same as the original..and usually better as I chuck a bit more of this or that in to my taste.

lauracusack

Jariya wrote: »

Also..though I haven't investigated this yet - spices - they are a lot cheaper to buy if you have any local ethnic shops that sell them or you can order them online from various places.

I originally bought my spices selection in Tesco and it was a lot of cash!!
I have been lazy and must look online.

I am a big fan of getting the spices for a particular sauce judging by what is on the ingredients listing - then the ingredient at the top is the one you use most of to simulate the same taste.

Many companies now have ingredients listed online so it's just a case of printing the ingredients or writing them down and adding to your spice cupboard.
Anything too complicated to pronounce - I leave out! It tastes the same as the original..and usually better as I chuck a bit more of this or that in to my taste.

To be honest I have most spices and also have a small herb garden. We're really lucky living near Newcastle, as it has a large Asian population. There are around 4 Chinese supermarkets in the main city alone and one Indian one too. I've found I can buy a large bag of cumin for around £1/2, around the price of a small jar the same brand in asda! They also sell woks for £3! :j

spike7451

Jariya wrote: »

http://www.britishcornershop.co.uk/product.asp?id=12783

^^ is beanfeast - can be found in most shops - takes some tracking down and I think it's near pot noodles?

I'm not veggie - I'm about half veggie but this stuff is really tasty!! (used to be anyway- haven't had it for years!)

Bread is good to make pizzas on - less expense on pizza bases.

I (haven't for a while now) but used to either to go the market or go an buy value veggies and chop and freeze them myself.
Saves a lot on veggies and things like mushrooms are a lot cheaper in bulk and value plus they freeze very well.

I saw on here that you can cook up and freeze potato skins - pots freeze ok once cooked.

I had a packet with the G/F the other week (she's veggie) and it was disgusting! Sorry.

lauracusack

spike7451 wrote: »

I had a packet with the G/F the other week (she's veggie) and it was disgusting! Sorry.

Is it meant to be like mince or something? Quorn's nice but a bit pricey...

maman

What about using eggs more? Omelettes, quiche, frittata and good old egg and chips!

Just noticed you don't have jacket potatoes. They can be very filling and cheap (don't have to buy special baking potatoes).

midnightraven3

instead of buying quorn mince, have you tried this?
http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=2767&prodid=3671

we make a lot with quorn(usually the mince or chicken pieces)
their cottage pie recipe is delish, we have tweaked it to our tastes, as you do
the worcestershire sauce really makes a difference, worth tracking down a vegi source
http://www.quorn.co.uk/recipes/Quorn_Cottage_Pie.aspx

lauracusack

midnightraven3 wrote: »

instead of buying quorn mince, have you tried this?
http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=2767&prodid=3671

we make a lot with quorn(usually the mince or chicken pieces)
their cottage pie recipe is delish, we have tweaked it to our tastes, as you do
the worcestershire sauce really makes a difference, worth tracking down a vegi source
http://www.quorn.co.uk/recipes/Quorn_Cottage_Pie.aspx

I've not tried it but I think I'd be quite happy to cut it out entirely anyway. I only have "meat substitutes" 1-2 times a month anyway, as I was never a meat lover even before I was veggie. Thanks for the link though, I'll be sure to check it out.

kateweb

Cheap recipes I make quite a lot include:
- cous cous with roast veg; I find one 250gms with one courgette, half a pepper and a tin of chick peas will do me at least three servings. Really quick and easy to make when you've got time, stick in the fridge and take to work/college for lunch.
- spinach and chick pea curry, or cauliflower and potato (as a change from dahl). I cheat and use a curry paste rather than spices from scratch, either balti or rogan gosht, but each curry only takes a couple of dessert spoonfuls, plus veg and a tin of Basics tomatoes, and makes at least 2/3 big servings with rice. Microwaves well for lunches too.
- veggie fried rice; works best with cooked, cold rice. Fry up any veg you like in the wok - I tend to use courgette, peppers, mushrooms and sweetcorn - then add the cooked rice and some soy sauce. You need to make sure the rice is /really/ well heated through though.
- rice salad; another good use for cold cooked rice, with tiny bits of veg (baby sweetcorn and mange tout are lovely, but broccoli, peppers and sweetcorn work well too) and a really good, sharp vinegarette dressing. Quite substantial on its own, or add other salady things (grated carrot/coleslaw, tomatoes, tsatsiki) to make a platter.
- pea and mint soup; obviously there are loads of veggie soups, but this is handy when you don't have time to shop because it works with frozen peas. Just gently fry an onion and a leek to soften, add frozen peas and stock, then cook for about 30 mins; zizz depending on how chunky you like your soup - it goes an amazing fresh green. Fresh mint works wonders if you've got some.
- tortilla wraps, filled with almost anything. You can make veggie fajitas (fried peppers and onions with some cajun seasoning, plus salsa/guacamole and a blog of natural yoghurt), which are also good cold the day after, or re-fried beans take a while to make, but are delicious. Own-brand tortilla wraps are usually £1 a packet for 8, and 2 filled is enough for lunch. You can just fill them with cheese/cream cheese and salad, with is quick.
- hummous and pitta, with veg sticks; obvious, but I have this a lot. Even cheaper if you make your own hummous, which is easy if you have a blender.
- pesto and tomato tarts; a square of Jus-Roll puff pastry, cover with a teaspoon of pesto (leaving a border round the edge) then cut about a dozen cherry tomatoes in half and dot them around over the pesto. Bake for about 20 mins, or until pastry goes crisp and golden. Also nice cold the day after.
Hope there's something helpful there!

Malfiore

Someone posted this link the other day in a different thread:

http://vegetarian.about.com/od/vegetarianindianrecipes/r/yellowdhal.htm

You said you have most spices so this should be super cheap!

Jacket potatoes are saviours - I like to back a load at the same time and them and then scoop out the middles and mix with things like cheese and broccoli etc. The freeze them and get them out when needed. 1 head of broccoli will do loads of potatoes. I usually have this with some baked beans!

This curry recipe is so easy and quick and cheap and yummy:

http://cheap-family-recipes.org.uk/recipe-bakedbeancurry.html?opt=rdinner

Eggs are brilliant as said - omelettes, quiches, and quick dishes like poached eggs on toast are really filling.

Porridge for breakfast is also a must. I have it every day and just vary the toppings - honey, cinnamon, nutmeg, fruit, seeds, (a friend has nutella!); whatever you've got really to liven it up.

Also, you could make a up a big vat of lentil bolognese - so tomatoes, lentils, loads of veg and spices/herbs to your liking and then swap what you have with it so it doesn't get boring. You could have: pasta, rice, millet, quinoa, jacket potato, spicy potato wedges, even bread if you're pushed for time!!

Hope that helps you Laura xx