Times are hard, the cost of living is rising, and so, like many people, I’m trying to cook cheaper meals for the family. I recently did the Piri-piri chicken wing, wedges and corn traybake from BBC Food.
Wings are cheap, potatoes are cheap, and corn isn’t crazy expensive. The limes were probably the most extravagent ingredient. Total price, probably £2-£3 per person.
It was great, and the family all enjoyed it. To the point where it would go on the regular rotation even if we had suitcases full of cash stashed around the place!
What are your best economical recipes that aren’t just beans, chickpeas, and rice? Meals you actively looks forward to, rather than just a budget way of getting calories inside you?
On my list for the coming week:
- Carbonara
- Sausage and mash with onion gravy
- Chicken Quesadillas
- Mac and Cheese with salad
- Spicy black bean tacos
- Stir-fried tofu
- Slow cooker leek and potato soup
I can supply recipes for any of these.
If you have access to ham hock, look up Congri. It’s a Cuban beans and rice dish that’s very cheap to make and quite tasty.
It might sound like more of a side, but I’ve found it’s plenty hearty enough for a meal.
I can see you’re in the UK, so this might be completely different for you, but another thing I’ve found lately is that chicken drumsticks are extremely cheap compared to every other cut of chicken. I can get about 8lbs of drumsticks for $8 from costco. I bake them, tear off the meat, and freeze it for use in whatever. I also save the bones so I can make chicken stock once I have enough.
Not sure if that will hold true across the pond, but I’ll throw it out there anyway just in case.
Edit: I realize you said no beans and rice, so I guess I’m not helping in that regard with this, sorry! 😅
Drumsticks are the best chicken cut. It has relatively high amounts of fat. Fat boosts flavor.
If you have a filleting knife, I can really recommend deboned drumsticks. I have this great recipe: German PDF
It’s a bit more work, but absolutely worth it.