Economic Cooking

[Lovemy2babies]

I'm looking for tips in ways to cook economically.

Currently we have a roast on Sunday in which the left over meat is then made into somthing else tonight it will be pasta bake, last week was cous cous chicken salad...you get the picture.

Later in the week I'm planning in cooking a curry which will last 2 nights and then another night having Jacket Potatoes.

So how does everyone else cook economically?

Planning meals in advance. Thinking about what I already have.

Using slow cook meat, which works well for not slaving over the stove.

I try and cook for more than I need and keep a tiny meal back for the toddler for next day and immediatley freeze whats left to stop hubby picking. So portion control is important.

It all goes down to basic planning & preparation.

Stretching a roast is definitely the best way to do it. I think our current record is 6 meals from one beef joint

Sunday - roast
monday - slices of meat and leftover gravy with sauted potatoes
tuesday - cubed the beef and made chilli
weds - made pasta sauce
thurs - leftover sauce stirred into risotto
fri - cottage pie (using same pasta sauce)

it was a bit joint of meat, but still cost way less than separate cuts of meat would have been and most dishes were freezable so we didn't have to eat the same thing every day.

chicken is also good as it can be cooked whole or jointed and then the bones used for stock

Thick question: whats slow cook meat? And how do I go about it?

I like the idea of not slaving away over the stove!

gemjar What kind of beef joint did you use?

i think it was a topside or silverside joint. If you allow about 500g of beef per meal (for me, DH and DS) that would mean about a 3kg joint.

If we need to economise we basically go veggie for a while. Eggs, vegetables, grains, pasta, fruit and more cans of tomatoes than you can shake a stick at.

My best tip is to buy dried beans and chickpeas, soak & cook them up according to the packet instructions, allow to thoroughly drain and cool and then freeze them. You then get a great big bag of frozen beans that have cost you next to nothing which you can turn into .... Beanburgers, Casseroles, Curries (Dals), Chillis, Soups, Pasta dishes etc., etc.

Beanburgers (Serves about 2)
4oz cooked beans or chickpeas
1 egg, beaten
1 good tablespoon rolled oats
Pumpkin seeds (optional)
Grated carrot
Chilli flakes to taste
Seasoning & herbs of choice

Mash the beans either manually or in a small food processor. Combine with the rest of the ingredients and set to one side for 30 mins so that the oats soak up the egg. Form into patties with wet hands. Fry both sides in a little olive oil. Serve with green salad, chilli sauce and pitta breads. Dirt cheap, dead healthy and delicious!

Lovemy2babies, get a really cheap cut of beef such as shin or beef cheeks and dice into 1" ish cubes. Shake in seasoned flour and brown in batches. Remove from casserole and then soften carrots, celery, onion and garlic, throw meat back in with a couple of tins of tomatoes (economy fine), wine or not wine, beef stock cube and bit of water, sprig of thyme, rosemary and a bay, then put in oven at 150 for 3-4 hours (covered), can then be used in a pie or with mash or as a ragout with tagliatelle. These two cuts lend themselves very well to slow cooking and the result is absolutely divine. Can be whizzed for small people if necessary too.

I sometimes buy a HUGE chicken and play cooking with it all week too. Roast on Sunday, risotto, salad, coronation chicken, fricasée, savoury pancakes and a soup at the end made with the stock from leftover carcass.

Or massive batch of mince - I just lob it all in to giant pot and simmer away for 2-3 hours. Turn it into cottage pie, lasange, chilli, bolognaise etc

Or off cuts of white fish from fishmongers and make fishcakes or fish fingerish shaped things!

Chil1234 I agree Veg is a good way to cut back on costs and I often make veg currys once a week to last over 2 nights so we have veg day twice a week. That bean burger recipe sounds yum too!

boosmummie Love the idea of batch mince, I can see myself doing all that and the family enjoying.

Lots of great ideas, thanks ladies!

Chicken thighs always - better taste, and the bones contain nutrician (buy the best you can afford) - either currey or I make this - which is fab (I add garlic and tinned olives) www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/4251/chicken-cacciatore.

Lamb shoulder - either blade or knuckle - I used this the other day and was amazing (freezes well too) www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/provencalbraisedlamb_72897.

Fish pie using 'basic' fish and a bit of proper smoked haddock.

Beef joint - cubed yrself - brisket/shin/LMC - endless pies and casseroles. (see bbc websites) I find better as purchased cubed can contain little fat so can be dry.

Belly pork - very easy for a simple chinese style meal.

See Hugh Furleigh Whittinstall on Channel 4 - he's into the slow movement, I have been following hime for 10 years and he knows his stuff.

I agree with chil1234, we are veggie and we eat organic a family of four for £50 per week.
But I have always been a vegetarian so I wouldn't miss the meat IYKWIM.

Using a breadmaker to make all your own bread would cut your bread bill in half, if not more.

I also cook double of everything, I might put half in the freezer, or just have the same thing two nights running. We've just had two nights of Leak and Potato soup and it was lovely.
We love lentil soups b/c they are cheap and nice and filling.
I love to make pizza aswell, I just make the dough in the breadmaker. Its a Jamie oliver recipe, its tastes amazing and is cheap too. Again, i would make double for two evening meals.
If i don't want to cook properly, I will stick some jacket potatoes in the oven to have with baked beans, cheese and a veggie sausage. Or I will make cheese on toast with salad or a toasted sandwhich with nice fillings.