Any cheap meal ideas for my guests?

frogga

Hi all,

I have a very good friend and her Mum coming down in two weeks for a visit.

Although they stay in a hotel , I do normally cook at least 3 meals and puds for them during their stay.

This year things are quite tight so I don't want to spend a lot on over the top meals.

Any one got a good idea on what I could make. I need cheep puds too.

We are veggie by the way.

Cheers in advance xx

overlykeensaver

hi - a good idea for cheap puds is to get some fruit from the market (ours usually has bowls of peaches for £1!), slice it up, sprinkle over some cinnamon and sugar and bake in the oven for 20 minutes. Serve with ice cream or cream.
Tasty, healthy and cheap (if you can get seasonal fruit!)

r.mac_2

I love lasagne as it can be made in advance. MY friend is veggie so when she comes I use quorn or another brand of veggie/soya mince. Non meat eaters don't know the difference and yet everyone can eat it.

It isn't an expensive option either if you make your own cheese sauce etc.

What about a victoria sponge cake as a pud one night? they are cheap to make, and I always think are lovely. Or instead of making a round sponge, make it in a suare tin, cut into portions and serve with custard. mmmmmm

Ratatouille served on baked potatoes is filling, and tasty when seasonal veg is used.

alternatively make the ratatoille. turn into an oven proof dish and top with cheese and breadcrumbs to make a veggie gratin - makes it look a little posher! then serve at the table with carbs of your choice.

roasted veg is nice on couscous with feta or mozarella cheese

what about a risotto - say pea and asparagus topped with fresh mint and parmezan. Again not too costly.

hope this gives you some ideas - enjoy your visitors!

boo81

Ratatouille with crusty bread or even better with cheese topped bread is a bit of a weakness of mine. Tastes gorgeous and filling but still quite light.

scuzz

Ok, my two penneth:

> veggie spag bol
> quiche
> salads - it's summer after all!!!
> baked potato with cheese (and beans if you like them_pale_ )
> veggie BBQ in the garden with corn on the cob, burgers, kebabs etc


puds:

> bread pudding
> bread & butter pudding - can add chocolate drops for a twist
> egg custard
> any fruit growing in the garden with cream/icecream
> tart tatin
> gooseberry crumble


I know you said you're veggie, but do you eat fish?

boo81

I wrote this on the other thread but this one seems to have more answers!

How about stuffed veg? You can serve with flavoured rice or couscous.

Aubergine/potato gratin

Indian with naan, lentil dhal, channa masala (chick peas), aloo saag (spinach and cheese) or just a veggie curry

Stir fry

Vegetable fajitas

If you eat fish there are lots of options there too

Puddings - treacle sponge, choc pudding, eton mess, choc mousse, trifle, ice cream sundaeas (make your own sauce and let them dip into other toppings), apple pie, fruit crumble/cobbler

frogga

Real veggies dont eat fish!!

Only those that play at it! ~ oh and those that say : " I am veggie , I only eat chicken on a Sunday!"

Thanks for all you suggestions ~ you've made me really hungry
xx

bluenose1

My favourite vegitarian recipe is a variation of a Delia Smith dish "pasta vialli" and a recipe out of one of my Italian cookery book





12 oz dried penne pasta

tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1 onion
red, green and yellow pepper
1 tin of chopped tomatoes
5 oz Mozzarella, chopped into ¾ inch (2 cm) cubesa little finely grated Parmesan (Parmigiano Reggiano),
to serve a few whole basil leaves, to garnish

I fry the onion and peppers in the olive oil and continue to do gently this for about 10 minutes.
Add the tin of tomatoes, I also add black pepper and fresh basil and simmer without a lid for about 20 minutes.
When there is 10 minutes to go cook the pasta.

Now put the cubed mozarella in the tomato and peppers mix on a very low heat until the chesse begins to melt.

Put cooked pasta in bowls, on top put tomato mix.
Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves.
I use Parmesan that I grate freshly and buy in a triangle. Lasts for ages and I manage to use it for several meals.

Tastes delicious, easy to prepare and looks very professional.
Costs about £5 to make, and still leaves you with plenty of basil and parmesan for other meals

tiredwithtwins

cheap bean goulash;

3 or 4 tins of 15p chopped toms from sainsburys
2 tins of whatever beans you fancy ... i use barlotti - 3 for £1 at tescos
1 chopped onion - about 10p?
half a dozen big mushrooms, chopped up - 60p ish?
about 2tbsp tomato puree - 50p ish?
2 cloves of garlic - 25p from market
1 tbsp smoked paprika - 69p a jar from s'burys
salt n pepper to season as desired
2 tsp cornflour mixed to a paste with a couple of tbsps of water, mixed into slow cooker when everything added and bubbling to thicken sauce.

fry onions, mushrooms and garlic, add paprika, seasoning, tomatos and puree then beans and bung in slow cooker and leave to cook for about 4 - 6 hours on auto or high.

freezes well too

can bulk out with lentils and other veg such as leeks or more mushrooms