A great Sunday night supper for those who may have been too busy for a traditional Sunday lunch is a very tasty and filling Family Sized Toad in the Hole! Easy to make and bulk out to feed a family, its a Sunday Supper Winner!
All my ingredients are sourced from my local supermarket Tesco. Use one that is convenient to you or a market if you have one!
Ingredients for a Family of 6 (Adjust portions to suit your family size)
2 x Packs Tesco Everyday Value Sausages (8 per pack - use 12) = 66p each = £1.32
400 Grams Plain Tesco Flour = 44p
6 Tesco Eggs = £1.00
16 fl oz of whole milk = 89p
salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon oil.
Optional
Roast or mashed potatoes
Peas/Runner Beans
Gravy
Method
Preheat the oven to 200 degrees C /gas mark 6.
Pour the oil into the bottom of a large baking/casserole dish, and arrange the sausages over it in a single layer. 12 sausages if feeding a family of 6 - allow 2 each.
Bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven.
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, eggs and half of the milk until smooth. Gradually mix in the rest of the milk until a smooth batter is formed. Season with salt and pepper.
Remove the sausages from the oven, and pour the batter over them until the sausages are mostly covered. Return to the oven, and bake for 35 minutes, or until the centre is risen and browned. .
Serve on its own or with roast or mashed potatoes, some green veg like peas or runner beans and gravy.
Tuesday, 13 May 2014
Monday, 7 April 2014
Big Chinese Chicken Stir Fry
On a tight family budget often it is wishful thinking to want a nice Chinese takeaway on a Sunday night. Just because your family is on a budget doesn't mean you have to rule one out - if you make it yourself! All my ingredients come from my local Tesco supermarket. Use your nearest supermarket or market if you have one.
Ingredients for a Family of 6 (Adjust portion sizes to suit your family)
410 grams Everyday Value Diced Chicken = £2.94
3 garlic cloves = 90p
2 x 65 g grams mixed chillis = 2 for £1.00
2 bunches spring onions @ 49p each = 98p
8 tablespoons of dark or light soy sauce = 1 bottle @ £1.19p
1 kg Everyday Value Rice = 40p
OR 2 x Uncle Bens Egg Fried Rice = £3.00
2 tablespoons oil
Optional
6 Fresh Sliced tomatoes or Pineapple chunks or Mushrooms or Bamboo Shoots
Method
Bring a saucepan of water to the boil ready for adding the rice.
Heat a large wok or frying pan with the oil and then throw in the diced chicken on a medium heat and stir fry until browned. Cut the chillis up, spring onions and chop the garlic cloves into fine pieces then add to the chicken in the wok/frying pan for 3 minutes.
Add the rice to the saucepan and cook for 20-25 minutes until the water is absorbed and the rice is fluffy.
Back to the stir fry and add the soy sauce. Heat through for a further minute. Serve up with the rice for a delicious homemade takeaway!
Tip: Always add things that are family favourites like tomatoes or pineapple chunks or mushrooms if you want. Substitute chicken for beef or pork too. Vary to suit the Chinese meal you fancy!
Ingredients for a Family of 6 (Adjust portion sizes to suit your family)
410 grams Everyday Value Diced Chicken = £2.94
3 garlic cloves = 90p
2 x 65 g grams mixed chillis = 2 for £1.00
2 bunches spring onions @ 49p each = 98p
8 tablespoons of dark or light soy sauce = 1 bottle @ £1.19p
1 kg Everyday Value Rice = 40p
OR 2 x Uncle Bens Egg Fried Rice = £3.00
2 tablespoons oil
Optional
6 Fresh Sliced tomatoes or Pineapple chunks or Mushrooms or Bamboo Shoots
Method
Bring a saucepan of water to the boil ready for adding the rice.
Heat a large wok or frying pan with the oil and then throw in the diced chicken on a medium heat and stir fry until browned. Cut the chillis up, spring onions and chop the garlic cloves into fine pieces then add to the chicken in the wok/frying pan for 3 minutes.
Add the rice to the saucepan and cook for 20-25 minutes until the water is absorbed and the rice is fluffy.
Back to the stir fry and add the soy sauce. Heat through for a further minute. Serve up with the rice for a delicious homemade takeaway!
Tip: Always add things that are family favourites like tomatoes or pineapple chunks or mushrooms if you want. Substitute chicken for beef or pork too. Vary to suit the Chinese meal you fancy!
Big Homemade Beef Burgers with Sweetcorn Relish
My large family say there is nothing to beat home made Beef Burgers with a homemade sweetcorn relish. These filling tasty burgers are low in fat and are far superior to shop bought burgers. Serve them up on a Sunday night as a snack in front of the TV or a main meal on a weekday! All my ingredients are sourced from my supermarket Tesco but you use a supermarket near to your home or a market if you have one.
Ingredients for a Family of 6 providing 2 burgers each (Adjust your portion sizes to suit your family)
1 pack 3 onions = £1.00
12 Burger Buns = 2 packs of 6 for £1.00
750gr Value Minced Beef = £2.75
For the relish
2 Corn on the Cob = £1.70
1 lime = 30p
60 gr or 2 Red Chillis = 60p
50 grams from 1 slab of Everyday Value Butter =98p
2 tablespoons Veg/Sunflower Oil
salt and pepper
Optional
1 pack Everyday Value Cheese Slices = 90p
1 family pack golden frozen french fries = £1.30
Mixed Salad
Method
Peel Cut and dice the 3 onions up. Put the oil in a frying pan and throw in the onions for about 5 minutes. Then remove the onions and put in a bowl on one side. Place the beef mince, a touch of salt and pepper into a large bowl and mix together thoroughly. Add the onions.
Now to divide equally into 12 portions. (Adjust portions for family size). Mould into a burger shape with clean hands. When you have finished line up the burgers on a plate to one side for now.
For the relish get a large pan of water and bring to the boil on the hob/stove. Add the corn on the cob for 10 minutes then remove and drain well. Remove the actual corn from the cob and place into a medium sized bowl. Finely chop the chillis, add to the bowl with the butter until the butter melts. Slice the lime and squeeze the juice into the bowl and mix well. Put the relish to one side.
Back to the burgers and put 1 tablespoon oil into a frying pan. Take each burger in turn and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side and then put into the sliced burger buns.
Tip: You can add a cheese slice topping for family members who like cheeseburgers or add some mixed salad as a topping. Bulk out further with some french fries if required.
Ingredients for a Family of 6 providing 2 burgers each (Adjust your portion sizes to suit your family)
1 pack 3 onions = £1.00
12 Burger Buns = 2 packs of 6 for £1.00
750gr Value Minced Beef = £2.75
For the relish
2 Corn on the Cob = £1.70
1 lime = 30p
60 gr or 2 Red Chillis = 60p
50 grams from 1 slab of Everyday Value Butter =98p
2 tablespoons Veg/Sunflower Oil
salt and pepper
Optional
1 pack Everyday Value Cheese Slices = 90p
1 family pack golden frozen french fries = £1.30
Mixed Salad
Method
Peel Cut and dice the 3 onions up. Put the oil in a frying pan and throw in the onions for about 5 minutes. Then remove the onions and put in a bowl on one side. Place the beef mince, a touch of salt and pepper into a large bowl and mix together thoroughly. Add the onions.
Now to divide equally into 12 portions. (Adjust portions for family size). Mould into a burger shape with clean hands. When you have finished line up the burgers on a plate to one side for now.
For the relish get a large pan of water and bring to the boil on the hob/stove. Add the corn on the cob for 10 minutes then remove and drain well. Remove the actual corn from the cob and place into a medium sized bowl. Finely chop the chillis, add to the bowl with the butter until the butter melts. Slice the lime and squeeze the juice into the bowl and mix well. Put the relish to one side.
Back to the burgers and put 1 tablespoon oil into a frying pan. Take each burger in turn and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side and then put into the sliced burger buns.
Tip: You can add a cheese slice topping for family members who like cheeseburgers or add some mixed salad as a topping. Bulk out further with some french fries if required.
Big Mushroom Risotto
This recipe is ideal for vegetarians, but a filling nutritious meal in itself. If you don't want to make it with mushrooms you can use tiny pieces of cooked ham for example. All ingredients are sourced from my local supermarket Tesco, but you use a supermarket near to your home or a market if you have one.
Ingredients for a Family of 6 (Adjust portion sized to suit your family needs)
2 Onions @ 25p each = 50p
Family Pack of Chestnut Mushrooms = £1.50
500gr Arborio Risotto Rice = £1.10
1 pack Everyday Value Vegetable Stock Cubes = 20p (Use 4)
1 pack grated Parmesan Cheese = £1.30
1 clove garlic = 30p
2 tablespoons oil
25 gr butter or marg
salt and black pepper (optional)
2-3 pints of water
Method
Cut the onions and garlic up into small dices. Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Fry over a gentle heat for 3 minutes until softened. Add all the mushrooms and fry for a further 3 minutes until the mushrooms are browned. Stir in the rice and coat in the oil. Add 4 vegetable stock cubes to 2 or 3 pints of water and add about a third to the saucepan, until the liquid has been absorbed by the rice mixture. Simmer and stir for 2-3 minutes. Keep adding the vegetable stock in this way until all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is fluffy and plump. Add the butter/marg salt and pepper.
The dish is now ready to serve. Put into bowls and sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese.
Tip: To give it more flavour you can add a few tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce. To bulk it out further serve with some crusty bread or garlic bread.
Ingredients for a Family of 6 (Adjust portion sized to suit your family needs)
2 Onions @ 25p each = 50p
Family Pack of Chestnut Mushrooms = £1.50
500gr Arborio Risotto Rice = £1.10
1 pack Everyday Value Vegetable Stock Cubes = 20p (Use 4)
1 pack grated Parmesan Cheese = £1.30
1 clove garlic = 30p
2 tablespoons oil
25 gr butter or marg
salt and black pepper (optional)
2-3 pints of water
Method
Cut the onions and garlic up into small dices. Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Fry over a gentle heat for 3 minutes until softened. Add all the mushrooms and fry for a further 3 minutes until the mushrooms are browned. Stir in the rice and coat in the oil. Add 4 vegetable stock cubes to 2 or 3 pints of water and add about a third to the saucepan, until the liquid has been absorbed by the rice mixture. Simmer and stir for 2-3 minutes. Keep adding the vegetable stock in this way until all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is fluffy and plump. Add the butter/marg salt and pepper.
The dish is now ready to serve. Put into bowls and sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese.
Tip: To give it more flavour you can add a few tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce. To bulk it out further serve with some crusty bread or garlic bread.
Monday, 10 March 2014
Big and Tasty Fish Curry
Who says you can't eat fish on a budget and feed a large family? It can be done! But you have to be very savvy where you buy your fish. Fresh fish is quite expensive, but you lose nothing in this recipe by cooking with frozen fish.
Remember to shop at a supermarket/market local to you. I use Tesco mostly so a lot of my ingredients and prices are sourced from there, but you shop at your local store or open market.
Ingredients for Family of 6 ( Adjust portion size to suit your family)
1 pack of 5 Iceland Frozen Haddock Fillets @ 4.00
2 onions @ 25p each in Tesco =50p
1 tub -2 Tablespoons of Tesco Medium Curry Powder (or Mild or Hot to suit your family taste) @ 1.00
2 tins Tesco Everyday Value Chopped Tomatoes @ 34p each = 68p
1 x 10 pack Tesco Everyday Value Vegetable Stock Cubes @ 20p
1kg bag Tesco Everyday Value Rice @ 40p
2 -3 pints cold water
2 tablespoons oil
Method
Defrost the fish overnight or use a microwave to defrost instantly.
When defrosted cut into small bite size pieces.
Peel the onions and chop into small dices and then add 2 tablespoons oil to a large saucepan and throw in the onions on a low heat for 5 minutes, stirring constantly until soft.
Add 2 or 3 Tablespoons of the curry powder to the pan, tip in both cans of tomatoes, add 2-3 pints of water then crumble in 4 of the vegetable stock cubes. Keep stirring on the low heat.
Get a saucepan of water bring to the boil and add enough of the rice to fee your family. Normally 1 cup of rice per person. Allow the rice to cook for 20-25 minutes.
While the rice is cooking go back to the curry saucepan and add the fish. Stir through on a low heat thorougly for about 10 minutes. Then the remove the pan from the hob/stove.
Once the rice is cooked and is fluffy with no water remaining, remove the saucepan of rice and spoon out onto plates. Then add portions of the fish curry.
A filling nutritious meal that brings fish to a budget menu for a large family.
Tip: Bulk it out further if your budget allows with either nan breads (Tesco do a pack of 6 Garlic and Coriander mini nans for £1.00) or with a crusty loaf.
Remember to shop at a supermarket/market local to you. I use Tesco mostly so a lot of my ingredients and prices are sourced from there, but you shop at your local store or open market.
Ingredients for Family of 6 ( Adjust portion size to suit your family)
1 pack of 5 Iceland Frozen Haddock Fillets @ 4.00
2 onions @ 25p each in Tesco =50p
1 tub -2 Tablespoons of Tesco Medium Curry Powder (or Mild or Hot to suit your family taste) @ 1.00
2 tins Tesco Everyday Value Chopped Tomatoes @ 34p each = 68p
1 x 10 pack Tesco Everyday Value Vegetable Stock Cubes @ 20p
1kg bag Tesco Everyday Value Rice @ 40p
2 -3 pints cold water
2 tablespoons oil
Method
Defrost the fish overnight or use a microwave to defrost instantly.
When defrosted cut into small bite size pieces.
Peel the onions and chop into small dices and then add 2 tablespoons oil to a large saucepan and throw in the onions on a low heat for 5 minutes, stirring constantly until soft.
Add 2 or 3 Tablespoons of the curry powder to the pan, tip in both cans of tomatoes, add 2-3 pints of water then crumble in 4 of the vegetable stock cubes. Keep stirring on the low heat.
Get a saucepan of water bring to the boil and add enough of the rice to fee your family. Normally 1 cup of rice per person. Allow the rice to cook for 20-25 minutes.
While the rice is cooking go back to the curry saucepan and add the fish. Stir through on a low heat thorougly for about 10 minutes. Then the remove the pan from the hob/stove.
Once the rice is cooked and is fluffy with no water remaining, remove the saucepan of rice and spoon out onto plates. Then add portions of the fish curry.
A filling nutritious meal that brings fish to a budget menu for a large family.
Tip: Bulk it out further if your budget allows with either nan breads (Tesco do a pack of 6 Garlic and Coriander mini nans for £1.00) or with a crusty loaf.
Big Vegetable Stew
My large family are all meat eaters but when I surprise them with a vegetable only dish they always ask for more. Vegetable dishes don't have to be boring, they can be filling and nourishing and for your pocket - cheap!
Remember to always source your ingredients from a supermarket or market local to you. I use Tesco ingredients and quote Tesco prices as that is my local supermarket.
Ingredients for Family of 6 (Adjust your size portions to suit your family)
1 bag 1.5kg of Tesco Everyday Value Carrots @ 89p
1 pack of 3 onions @ 1.00
1 2.5kg bag Tesco White Potatoes @ 2.00
750gr Tesco Everyday Leeks @ 1.59
750 gr Tesco Everyday Value Parsnips @ 90p
1 x 10 pack of Tesco Everyday Value Stock Cubes @ 20p
1.5 - 2 pints cold water
Tip : Buy in store what is seasonal or if making the same day what is on offer and marked down. Other veg could be celery, sweet potatoes, corn, mange tout, cabbage etc. Buy what you like at a low price.
Optional
Half a teaspoon of salt.
1 Teaspoon black pepper
3 Tablespoons Worcester Sauce
Bread
2 Tablespoons Cornflour.
Method.
Firstly prepare all the veg. Peel and slice the carrots and parsnips and do the same with the potatoes but cut the potatoes into small chunks. Slice and cut off the top and bottom of the leeks then slice them as you would the carrots. Peel and chop into small dices the onions.
Get a large saucepan and fill two thirds with water and bring to the boil on the hob/stove then turn the temperature down to medium. Throw in the potatoes and carrots and parsnips and allow them to cook for 10 minutes. Then throw in the leeks and onions and the optional salt, black pepper and worcester sauce if you have them. Crumble in 4 or 5 Vegetable stock cubes to give the stew more flavour.. Turn the heat down to a lower setting and cook for another 20 minutes. If the stew looks to watery add 2 tablespoons of cornflour which will thicken it up.
Once the vegetables are soft and cooked through serve in bowls.
Tip: I bulk this out with bread. A crusty loaf goes down well or a Tesco value loaf is the cheaper option.
Remember to always source your ingredients from a supermarket or market local to you. I use Tesco ingredients and quote Tesco prices as that is my local supermarket.
Ingredients for Family of 6 (Adjust your size portions to suit your family)
1 bag 1.5kg of Tesco Everyday Value Carrots @ 89p
1 pack of 3 onions @ 1.00
1 2.5kg bag Tesco White Potatoes @ 2.00
750gr Tesco Everyday Leeks @ 1.59
750 gr Tesco Everyday Value Parsnips @ 90p
1 x 10 pack of Tesco Everyday Value Stock Cubes @ 20p
1.5 - 2 pints cold water
Tip : Buy in store what is seasonal or if making the same day what is on offer and marked down. Other veg could be celery, sweet potatoes, corn, mange tout, cabbage etc. Buy what you like at a low price.
Optional
Half a teaspoon of salt.
1 Teaspoon black pepper
3 Tablespoons Worcester Sauce
Bread
2 Tablespoons Cornflour.
Method.
Firstly prepare all the veg. Peel and slice the carrots and parsnips and do the same with the potatoes but cut the potatoes into small chunks. Slice and cut off the top and bottom of the leeks then slice them as you would the carrots. Peel and chop into small dices the onions.
Get a large saucepan and fill two thirds with water and bring to the boil on the hob/stove then turn the temperature down to medium. Throw in the potatoes and carrots and parsnips and allow them to cook for 10 minutes. Then throw in the leeks and onions and the optional salt, black pepper and worcester sauce if you have them. Crumble in 4 or 5 Vegetable stock cubes to give the stew more flavour.. Turn the heat down to a lower setting and cook for another 20 minutes. If the stew looks to watery add 2 tablespoons of cornflour which will thicken it up.
Once the vegetables are soft and cooked through serve in bowls.
Tip: I bulk this out with bread. A crusty loaf goes down well or a Tesco value loaf is the cheaper option.
Big Sausage and Tomato Pie
Sausages are a great filler when it comes to feeding the larger family. They can also be bought fresh or frozen in large packs instead of the traditional 8 or 12 pack. Easy to cook and put into a pie, this recipe is a filling winner!
Always remember to shop at a supermarket or market that is local to you. My recipes use Tesco ingredients because that is my local supermarket, and my prices are the current Tesco prices.
Ingredients for Family of 6 (adjust size portions to suit your family)
Tesco Everyday Value 20 Pork Sausages @ 1.50
2 Packs of Tesco Salad Tomatoes @ 69p per pack = 1.38
1 Bag Tesco White Potatoes 2.5kg @ 2.00
2 onions @ 25p each =50p
Dash of milk for mashing potatoes
2 knobs of butter or margarine for mashing potatoes
Method
Pre heat your oven to 190o C or Gas Mark 6.Get a saucepan of water and bring the water to the boil on a hob/stove/. Throw in the sausages for 10-15 minutes. get another saucepan of water, bring to the boil. Slice the tomatoes in half and throw them into the water for 2 minutes and then drain the saucepan of water and take the tomatoes out and put to one side in a dish.
Fill a saucepan of water and bring this to the boil too.Peel and cut into halves/quarters all the potatoes and throw them into the saucepan and cook through for 20 minutes. Test that the potatoes are soft and then drain the pan and mash the potatoes up with a dash of milk and a few knobs of butter or margarine.
Get a large casserole dish. get a tiny amount of margarine and grease the dish spreading the margarine around as thinly as possible to coat the dish sides. This prevents the ingredients sticking to the sides of the dish. Take the sausages and slice them in half lengthways. cover the bottom of the casserole dish with a layer of sausage and then on top put a layer of tomato.Keep doing this until you have run out and then top the dish off with the mashed potato. You can run a fork along the top to make a pattern.
Stick the casserole dish into your preheated oven and allow to cook for 15-20 minutes until the top goes brown. Take out and serve.
Tip ; To bulk this out further you can add some veg like carrots and green beans or peas. whatever your budget allows.
Always remember to shop at a supermarket or market that is local to you. My recipes use Tesco ingredients because that is my local supermarket, and my prices are the current Tesco prices.
Ingredients for Family of 6 (adjust size portions to suit your family)
Tesco Everyday Value 20 Pork Sausages @ 1.50
2 Packs of Tesco Salad Tomatoes @ 69p per pack = 1.38
1 Bag Tesco White Potatoes 2.5kg @ 2.00
2 onions @ 25p each =50p
Dash of milk for mashing potatoes
2 knobs of butter or margarine for mashing potatoes
Method
Pre heat your oven to 190o C or Gas Mark 6.Get a saucepan of water and bring the water to the boil on a hob/stove/. Throw in the sausages for 10-15 minutes. get another saucepan of water, bring to the boil. Slice the tomatoes in half and throw them into the water for 2 minutes and then drain the saucepan of water and take the tomatoes out and put to one side in a dish.
Fill a saucepan of water and bring this to the boil too.Peel and cut into halves/quarters all the potatoes and throw them into the saucepan and cook through for 20 minutes. Test that the potatoes are soft and then drain the pan and mash the potatoes up with a dash of milk and a few knobs of butter or margarine.
Get a large casserole dish. get a tiny amount of margarine and grease the dish spreading the margarine around as thinly as possible to coat the dish sides. This prevents the ingredients sticking to the sides of the dish. Take the sausages and slice them in half lengthways. cover the bottom of the casserole dish with a layer of sausage and then on top put a layer of tomato.Keep doing this until you have run out and then top the dish off with the mashed potato. You can run a fork along the top to make a pattern.
Stick the casserole dish into your preheated oven and allow to cook for 15-20 minutes until the top goes brown. Take out and serve.
Tip ; To bulk this out further you can add some veg like carrots and green beans or peas. whatever your budget allows.
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