Budget recipes

Cheap, filling recipes that make the most of store-cupboard staples and seasonal veg. Good food does not have to cost a lot. These budget-friendly meals help you feed the family well and cut down on waste.

Microwave Chana Dal

Microwave version of dal recipe (save electricity or cook at work for lunch).

Serves 4

Tarka Dahl

Tarka is the sizzling spiced oil or ghee that’s poured over the dahl to finish. Comfort food, a real change from normal...

Serves 5

Assassin's Spaghetti

Puglian spaghetti dish where the spaghetti is cooked in the tomato sauce with stock added like in a risotto. Mushrooms ...

Serves 6

One-Hour Onion Soup

Delicious to keep away tummy rumbles whilst you are waiting for the main course to cook!

Serves 2

Minestrone Soup

JL's minestrone soup; Serve with fresh bread. Consider sprinkling on Parmesan cheese. Add a spoon of pesto when servin...

Serves 6

Braised Red Cabbage

Even those that are luke-warm about cabbage love this recipe. Delicious accompanyment to quiche, lamb, beef, venison or...

Serves 6

Naan Bread

Makes approximately 15 naans. Consider also sprinkling each with some sesame seeds before grilling.

Serves 15

Leek and Potato Soup

Serve with fresh bread. Alternatively eat with sundried tomato bread or olive bread. Mixture can be pureed with a littl...

Serves 4

Upside-Down Rhubarb Cake

Rhubarb is cheap and easy to grow, and this is one of the best ways to eat it! This recipe works equally well with goos...

Serves 8