January budget friendly meals 

by Unathi Balele

We are currently in the longest month of the year and our pockets, fridges and cupboards cannot keep up. If you are wondering how you can make your last few rands last next payday? We’ve got you with some recipes that will go easy on your pocket during this long month.

Here are a few tasty recipes for you and your family that will definitely not break your bank.

Vetkoek and mince

Popularly known as amaGwinya in South Africa. This meal is definitely tasty, easy to make and of cause budget friendly. If you do not have mince, worry not. There is a lot you can fill it up with like hot chips, chicken liver spread, cheese spread, chicken livers, chicken polony and more

 

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Pilchards pasta

Just one can of pilchards feeds the entire family, which makes this tasty dish super pocket-friendly. All you’ll need is a can of pilchard, prepare it as you desire with your preferred spices, veggies, sauce and plate it together with your pasta keeping you and your family full on a budget.

 

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Mince beef pie 

Perfect meal to feed your family without them feeling the hardships of Januworry. The only ingredients you’ll need are:

Ingredients

1 tbsp cooking oil
1 large onion, sliced
2 tsp garlic crushed
1 1/2 tbsp spice for mince
500g beef mince
1 tbsp plain flour
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 beef stock, dissolve in 1 cup boiling water
1 cup Green peas
Salt and Pepper
1 egg
400g Puff pastry, store brought

Instructions:

1. Heat the oil in a large frying pan. Add the sliced onion and cook over a medium heat until starting to soften.
2. Add and stir in the garlic and spice for mince. Add minced beef and cook, stirring, until the beef is browned all over.
3. Stir in the flour and Worcestershire sauce ensuring the mixture is evenly mixed.
4. Add the beef stock, and peas to the pan, season with salt and pepper then simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool while you preparing the pastry.
5. Heat the oven to 180°C. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface cut out a circle 1 or 0.5 cm of the edge of the pie dish/tin.
6. Pour the cooled filling into the dish/tin.
7. Lay the pastry over the filling, pressing to seal. Brush the pastry with the beaten egg.
8. Put the pie in the heated oven and cook for 35-40 minutes until the pastry is golden and the filling is bubbling. Remove from the oven and serve.

Also see: 3 Inexpensive cabbage recipes