Monday 8 October 2012

Beef Stew

Serves 6-8

Ingredients:
4 cups chicken or beef stock
1 cup celery, chopped
3 small potatoes (~300g), diced (I left the skins on)
2 large carrots (~240g), chopped
4-5 medium-large mushrooms, quartered (mine weighed in at 200g)
1 can (400g/14.5oz) plum or chopped tomatoes in juice (undrained)
1 medium onion, in wedges
2 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled
9 oz/280 g cooked beef - I used leftover brisket from last night

Dump everything into the slow cooker and set it on high until all of the veggies are finished cooking. I don't know how long this one takes yet as it's still in the slow cooker at the moment.

If this is too "soupy" for you, mix up a tablespoon or two of cornstarch/cornflour in a few tablespoons cool water and add near the end. Or you can serve it over rice to help soak up some of the soupy goodness.

Spicy Vegetable Soup

Serves 6-8

Ingredients:
6 cups chicken broth/stock
 3 carrots, chopped
1 can (400g/14.5oz) chopped tomatoes (undrained)
1 shallot (or small onion), diced
1 cup celery, chopped
Cabbage (I used 2 leaves of savoy, use what you have)
1 can (400g/14.5oz) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
Chilli powder, cumin, salt and pepper to taste

Put all of the veggies into the slow cooker then add the broth. Cook it on high until the carrots are tender. It took 4 hours in my slow cooker. The longer you let it cook, the better it tastes, but the mushier the veggies can become.

*Note: I abhor celery. This goes way beyond hate. Even I cannot taste it in this recipe nor tell that it's even there after cooking.

If you'd like, add up to 3 tbsp rice at the beginning for a thicker soup. You can also add corn if you'd like. I like the spiciness in this, especially now that the nights are getting cooler.

I haven't tried it, but if you use canned carrots this would come together especially fast. You'd bring it to a boil then lower it to a simmer for about half an hour.

Long time away, lets get back to it!

It's been quite a while since I've taken the time to blog. I've missed it! I've changed the title of the blog to "Healthy Meals on a Budget" because I still have a budget (we are being a bit flexible on the £50/month at the moment) and because I'm trying to lose weight.

So, lets get back to the recipes and the money saving shall we?

Today's Menu (for 2 people):
Breakfast:
2 eggs - £0.17
2 sausages - £0.75
2 slices wholemeal toast - £0.04
100g mushrooms (approx) - £0.15
2 Activia yoghurts (125ml each) - £0.75
Juice - 1 cup orange and 1 cup apple - £0.22 and £0.15 respectively
Total: £2.23

Lunch
For Jethro:
2 slices wholemeal bread - £0.04
50 g beef roast from last night - £0.27
2 oz (~50g) extra mature cheddar - £0.29
1 banana - £0.12
1 Activia yoghurt - £0.38

For me:
1 serving (1.5 cups) homemade spicy vegetable soup - £0.16
1.5 cups cooked white rice - £0.03

Total: £1.29

Snack (for me):
1 slice wholemeal bread - £0.02
2 tbsp (30 g) crunchy peanut butter - £0.03
1 banana - £0.12
Total: £0.17

Dinner:
2 servings homemade beef stew - £0.64
2 cups (250ml each) milk - £0.22
Total: £0.86

Grand total for Monday 8 October 2012: £4.55

That's less than one of us could get a take away for at one meal!

I will work on getting recipes up during the next few days and linking them to where they need to go. Thank you for your patience.

Have a wonderful day!