Recipe Ideas

Maybe you love to cook and are very confident, or maybe this is something new to you but you are keen to have a go. There are lots of recipes available online for learners and more experienced cooks.

You can also search for a recipe for the ingredients you have in your cupboard today.

Below are some ideas for recipes and check out these 3 websites which are full of useful ideas for making low cost meals.

• BBC: Cooking on a Budget 
• NHS Healthier Families
• Cooking on a Bootstrap

• Tomato Sauce

  You will need: 

  • 1 tin of tomatoes
  • 1 clove of garlic (if you like it)
  • 1 heaped teaspoon of dried mixed herbs
  • A big splodge of tomato Puree 
  • 1 onion
  • 1 teaspoon of oil 

  Get Cooking!

  1) Chop the onion into small pieces.

  2) Chop the garlic into very small pieces.

  3) Heat oil in saucepan on a medium heat.

  4) Cook onion and garlic for 3 - 4  minutes. Stir as you go.

  5) Add the tin of tomatoes, puree and herbs.

  6) Keep on a low heat for about 20 minutes.

  You could;

  • Mix into cooked pasta
  • Brown some minced beef – add to sauce and you have Bolognese
  • Add chilli beans and teaspoon of chilli powder to make chilli con carne
  • Add chicken, potatoes and vegetables for a tomato casserole or stew
  • Add curry powder and vegetables for a curry
  • Add lots of different vegetables and cook slowly until soft to make soup.

• Cheese Sauce

  You will need:

  • About 1/3 of a medium pack of cheese
  • 2 tablespoons of butter or margarine
  • 1 tablespoons of plain flour
  • 1 pint of Milk
  • A pinch of black Pepper

  Get Cooking!

  1) Grate the cheese.

  2) Put flour, butter and milk into pan and keep stirring until it starts to thicken and begins to bubble.

  3) Let it bubble for 2 minutes.

  4) Add cheese and let it melt.

  5) Add a pinch of pepper.

  You could;

  • Pour over cooked cauliflower and / or broccoli
  • Mix in sweetcorn, peas and cooked macaroni. Sprinkle with cheese or breadcrumbs, then cook in oven for 20 minutes
  • Pour over defrosted fish fillets. Add vegetables and cook in the over for 20 minutes.

• Baked Potatoes

  Baked potatoes are easy, cheap and filling. You can find a topping to suit everyone!

  You will need: 

  • Potatoes - it can be cheaper to buy a big bag. Keep them somewhere dry and dark and they will last well
  • Toppings

  Get Cooking!

  1) Prick the skin of each potato with a fork.

  2) Cook in the oven for about an hour.

  You could top with;

  • • Grated cheese and baked beans
    • Tuna and sweetcorn
    • Chiili-con-carne.

• Jerk-style Chicken Skewers

  Jerk Style Chicken Skewers

  These spicy skewers are quick to prepare and cook. 

  Ingredients

  • 4 wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
  • 1 clove garlic, crushed
  • juice of half a lemon
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 or 2 teaspoons jerk seasoning, to taste
  • 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 12 large chunks
  • 1 red pepper, cut into 16 chunks
  • 1 onion, quartered and separated to give 16 pieces

  Instructions

  1. Mix the garlic, lemon juice and olive oil with 1 teaspoon of jerk seasoning (or 2 if you prefer a spicier flavour). Stir in the chicken and set aside while you prepare the vegetables.

  2. Thread a piece of pepper onto a skewer, then onion, then chicken, finishing with onion.

     (You could try other vegetables like mushrooms and courgettes – or even fruit like pineapple)

  3. Cook under a preheated grill or on a barbecue for 8 to 10 minutes, turning frequently. 

     Information:
     Add flatbreads or boiled rice for an easy meal.

• Traffic Light Omelettes

  Traffic Light Omelettes 

  Prep: 10 mins
  Cook: 15 mins
  Serves 4

  Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
  • 1 red pepper, deseeded and chopped
  • 1 yellow pepper, deseeded and chopped
  • 6 spring onions, finely chopped
  • 8 eggs
  • 4 tablespoons 1%-fat milk
  • 1 pinch ground black pepper

  Method

  1. Heat 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil in a non-stick frying pan. Add the peppers and spring onions, and stir-fry for 3 to 4 minutes until soft. Tip them out of the pan into a bowl. Wipe out the pan with kitchen paper. Preheat the grill.

  2. Beat the eggs and milk together. Heat a few drops of vegetable oil in the non-stick frying pan and pour in one quarter of the egg mixture. Let it flow over the surface and cook for 1 to 2 minutes to set the base.

  3. Sprinkle a quarter of the pepper mixture evenly over the surface, then grill for 1 to 2 minutes until set. Slide onto a warm plate.

  4. Repeat with the remaining mixture to make 4 omelettes. Serve, seasoned with black pepper.

     Serve each omelette with a slice of wholemeal toast for a more filling meal.

• Budget Spaghetti Carbonara

  Budget Spaghetti Carbonara

  Preparation time: less than 30 mins

  Cooking time: 10 to 30 mins

  Serves 4

  Ingredients

  • 400g/14oz spaghetti
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 200g/7oz bacon, cut into thin strips
  • 1 garlic clove, peeled and finely chopped
  • 4 egg yolks
  • 50g/1¾oz grated Parmesan or pecorino
  • 50ml/1¾fl oz full-fat milk
  • salt and pepper

  Method

  1. In a large saucepan of salted boiling water, cook the spaghetti according to the packet instructions.

  2. Meanwhile, heat a large frying pan over a medium heat. Add the oil and, once hot, add the bacon and fry for 2–3 minutes, or until cooked through but not colouring. Add the garlic and cook for a further minute and then remove the pan from the heat.

  3. In a bowl, mix together the egg yolks, three-quarters of the Parmesan (or pecorino) and the milk. Season with a pinch of salt and a decent amount of pepper. Mix well.

  4. Once the spaghetti is cooked, drain it, reserving a teacup of the cooking water. Pour the drained spaghetti into the frying pan (still off the heat) with the bacon and garlic. Immediately pour over the egg mixture and mix really well, tossing the pasta so that it is all coated in the egg. If it looks to be getting too thick or sticky then loosen with a little of the pasta cooking water.

  5. Serve immediately sprinkled with the remaining cheese.

• Easy Chilli con Carne

  Easy Chilli con Carne

  Preparation time: less than 30 mins

  Cooking time: 30 mins to 1 hour

  Serves 4

  Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 250g/9oz beef mince
  • ½ -1 tsp chilli flakes, to taste
  • 400g tin chopped tomatoes
  • 500ml/18fl oz stock, made from a stock cube (ideally beef, but chicken is fine)
  • ½ tsp dried mixed herbs
  • 2 x 400g tins red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 200g/7oz long grain rice
  • 200g/7oz natural yoghurt
  • salt and pepper

  Method

  1. Heat a large saucepan over a medium heat. Add the olive oil and, once hot, fry the onion with a pinch of salt for 5 minutes, or until soft and translucent. Once soft, add the garlic and cook for 2 minutes.

  2. Add the mince, along with a good pinch of salt and pepper. Mix well and cook for 5-6 minutes, or until there are no raw bits of meat. Add the chilli flakes, tomatoes, stock and dried mixed herbs. Stir to mix well and bring to a simmer.

  3. Pour in the drained kidney beans and simmer gently for 30 minutes, or until the chilli con carne is thickened and rich. Taste and adjust the seasoning as necessary.

  4. Meanwhile, cook the rice according to the packet instructions.

  5. Serve the chilli con carne on top of the rice with a spoonful or two of yoghurt on top of each portion.