Here are five ingredients and a grocery shopping cash back app that will keep your tummy happy and won’t require you to fork out too much of your hard-earned cash.
Cabbage
Bulk up your favourite stir-fry recipe with vitamin-rich cabbage, forfeiting the costly mangetout and sweet corn.
Cabbage leaves are dense, meaning there’ll be plenty to go around the dinner table without breaking the bank. Sauté cabbage in butter and garlic and use it as a pasta substitute for your carb-conscious family and friends.
Butternut
Economical butternut is especially yummy when stuffed with feta, spinach, baby tomatoes or minced meat.
Make this deliciously sweet and nutty squash the focus of a vibrant curry or oven-roast it before adding to a pasta or wholesome salad. Heart-warming butternut fritters are even tastier than pumpkin ones – add a sprinkle of cinnamon!
Beans
Just like your mother always said, you won’t find a better – and more affordable – source of fibre, protein and iron to make you big and strong.
Serve your choice of beans with slow-cooked tomato and cream – or enjoy them the traditional way on a crusty slice of toasted white bread. Hearty bean soup is a great go-to meal while refried beans always make a tasty side dish.
And don’t forget the dependable three bean salad, which is a Braai Day favourite. (Recipe here: Winning salads to make this Braai/Heritage Day)
Tip: Buy dry instead of tinned beans and soak and cook them yourself to save even more on your grocery bill.
Economical butternut is especially yummy when stuffed with feta, spinach, baby tomatoes or minced meat.
Make this deliciously sweet and nutty squash the focus of a vibrant curry or oven-roast it before adding to a pasta or wholesome salad. Heart-warming butternut fritters are even tastier than pumpkin ones – add a sprinkle of cinnamon!
Beans
Just like your mother always said, you won’t find a better – and more affordable – source of fibre, protein and iron to make you big and strong.
Serve your choice of beans with slow-cooked tomato and cream – or enjoy them the traditional way on a crusty slice of toasted white bread. Hearty bean soup is a great go-to meal while refried beans always make a tasty side dish.
And don’t forget the dependable three bean salad, which is a Braai Day favourite. (Recipe here: Winning salads to make this Braai/Heritage Day)
Tip: Buy dry instead of tinned beans and soak and cook them yourself to save even more on your grocery bill.
Minced meat
Although you might still reluctantly be throwing chicken breasts and lamb chops into your shopping basket, it’s probably time to admit that meat has become hellishly expensive.
On the bright side, minced meat can be used for making more than just burgers, spaghetti Bolognese and cottage pie. When your friends come over for Mexican, replace chicken fajitas with spicy mince tortillas to cut costs. Also stretch your minced meat further by adding onions, carrots or lentils.
Tip: Cooking with minced meat is a clever way to hide unwelcome veggies in meals for your children.
Tinned tuna
The word ‘seafood’ alone sends you running to the bank for a loan, but this indulgence can easily be made more affordable.
The word ‘seafood’ alone sends you running to the bank for a loan, but this indulgence can easily be made more affordable.
Starting with the classic tuna mayo sarmie, which makes a trusty, tasty lunchtime treat – add finely chopped gherkin and spring onion for that extra little something. Replace minced meat with tuna in your bakes or casseroles, or make classic fishcakes using tuna instead of salmon.
