30 p meals ???

tessie_bear

further to words of wisdom from our political class I wonder can you make a meal for 30 p ?.
I haven’t started this thread for a calling of the politians but wondered if it was possible. I take it to mean 30p per person any ideas ?..

tessie_bear

I thought of on toast beans,spaghetti,that sort of thing
maybe pasta and grated cheese
a pooling of the 30p and a chilli spaghetti Bol possibly ships pie
hm soup maybe but would it stretch to stock cube?

euronorris

I do wonder what meals he is suggesting they cook for 30p, which are 'nutritious and filling' as he has said. And is there a range of them? Or is only one of them at that price?

I'm genuinely interested to see what the meals are, as I'd be hardpressed to prepare a variety of nutritious meals at 30p a serving unless I was getting ingredients from somewhere like Olio, or a too good to go.

OrkneyStar

I'd say it would really have to be meals involved either reduced price food, or things made in bulk which would work out at 30p per person but cost more than that to make a batch. Also are we factoring in electricity or just the food costs?

bouicca21

It also needs to factor in storage facilities - no point in batch cooking if there is nowhere to keep it safely.

euronorris

That's what I am wondering. And also, is he factoring in that some people have very little cooking materials available to them (ie, they might only have a 2 ring hob, or a microwave, no oven etc)?

I don't necessarily agree with people receiving some help on how to cook, as there will be plenty who were never taught at home, but it needs to be realistic to people's situations and affordability.

gwynlas

Two eggs on toast etc, jacket potato, offal.pulses. cheap carbohydrates but to do so would mean being very resourceful and prepared to cook from scratch and serve rationned portions as per WW2. In probability not sustainable for long in current times and the way the supply chains operate

Farway

Not wanting to drag politics into this but listening to further interviews he was basing the 30p on bulk cooking, like hospitals, schools & prisons so may not be practical in a domestic situation.

However in further interviews I have seen he has invited “The media” to go along to the food bank and find out for themselves instead of just knee jerk shock reactions.This morning he did say some of the media have accepted his offer We must assume once they have been there and reported we'll be better informed; oddly enough no MP has yet taken up his offer

Katiehound

I don't know if you have looked here:
Jack Monroe
https://cookingonabootstrap.com/

There are loads of recipes here- costed out- but probably pre the fuel price hike.  I think they are all vegetarian or vegan

London_1

I think possibly if you were batch cooking it may be possible perhaps with a veggie curry or chilli, but again it would depend on what sort of herbs and spices and knowledge the person had already.

I have always had a good stock of herbs and spices to add a bit of zing to my meals. Plus I have been cooking and feeding myself and my family for over 60 years, so have had a lot of practice with the boom and bust of recessions, and the good times to stock up when possible.

Even a spoonful or two of curry powder into a tin of beans heated and spooned over a jacket spud will add something tastier than just plain beans on toast  

Lots of things you can do to brighten up even the blandest of foods. But again it depends on so many  variables.

Many people are perhaps living in temporary accommodation or B&Bs and may not have to availability of facilities to cook.or sadly even can't afford to use much of their energy supplies because of costs.

I have found with my grandsons going to Uni they have all returned far more able to cook for themselves than they did before. They have also learned that the strange white machine in the kitchen is what you use to wash your clothes ,another win-win for their Mum.

True a lot of people are a bit stumped when it comes to cooking ,but with YouTube even the simplest meal can hopefully be made. Again cost of energy also has to be taken into account.

I really would like to see some politicians have a week, living on what their average constituents live on, it might make them more in touch with the population. 

But then I am an old woman who just uses her common sense, and unlike many MPs who talk the talk but don't walk the walk, and I certainly don't have £80K plus a year to 'survive on '  

JackieO

tessie_bear

I’m interested to hear what the journos find out might help all our budgets.