Budget Main Meal Recipes

Pork Chilli-con-Carne (a variation of a Hairy Bikers Recipe)

• 500g pork mince  (Aldi £1.99)
• 2 medium onions, chopped (45p)
• 3 garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped (12p)
• 1–2 tsp hot chilli powder  (8p)
• 2 tsp ground cumin (10p)
• 2 tsp ground coriander  (10p)
• 2 tbsp plain flour (5p)
• 450ml beef stock, made with 1 beef stock cube (9p)
• 400g can of chopped tomatoes (31p)
• 400g can of red kidney beans, drained and rinsed (42p)
• 3 tbsp tomato purée  (8p)
• 1 tsp dried oregano (7p) i grow my own so its free
• 1 bay leaf (8p)

SERVES 6 ADULTS AND 2 CHILDREN

Cooking Method

1. Place a large non-stick saucepan over a medium heat and add the pork and onions. Cook together for 5 minutes, stirring the pork and squishing it against the sides of the pan to break up the lumps. Add the garlic, 1–2 teaspoons of chilli powder, depending on how hot you like your chilli, and the cumin and coriander. Fry together for 1–2 minutes more. Sprinkle over the flour and stir well.
2. Slowly add the the stock, stirring constantly. Tip the tomatoes and kidney beans into the pan and stir in the tomato purée, oregano and bay leaf. Season with a pinch of salt and plenty of freshly ground black pepper.
3. Bring to a simmer on the hob, then cover loosely with a lid. Reduce the heat and leave to simmer gently for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally until the mince is tender and the sauce is thick. Adjust the seasoning to taste and serve.

COST PER PORTION (based on 7 adults) 57p

Sausage Casserole

12 sausages 89p
1 can of chopped tomatoes  32p
1/2 family size packet mushrooms  67p
3 carrots  20p
1/2 cup frozen peas  30p
1 pepper  33p
1 cup water
1 packet pork casserole mix  83p

serves 7 adults 
cost per portion 51p

METHOD

• skin the sausages and make the meat into balls (about the size of a brussel sprout)
• dry fry the sausage meat balls in a frying pan until brown then transfer to a casserole dish
• peel and chop the carrots add to the dish
• chop pepper and mushrooms and add to dish along with peas and the can of tomatoes
• add the casserole mix to 1 cup boiling water, stir and add to the dish with meat and veg
• cover and put in oven at 180 degrees for 45 mins

(this can also be done in a slow cooker and left for 3-4hrs)

I serve this is a big yorkshire pudding (40p each) with some mashed potatoes 

SPICY PORK BOLOGNESE

500g pork mince  £1.99

1 can chopped tomatoes  32p

1 carton passata  29p

1tbsp tomato puree  15p

1 onion (finely chopped) 25p

2 peppers  66p

1/4 family pack mushrooms  34p

1 beef stock cube  10p

1 chilli (finely chopped)  15p

3 cloves garlic (crushed)  12p

1 large carrot  9p

serves 7

cost per portion 64p

METHOD

• dry fry pork mince in a frying pan with the garlic, chilli and onion
• grate in the carrot and continue frying for another 2 mins
• chop peppers and mushrooms and add to the pan
• add the beef stock cube to a splash of hot water to dissolve, add this to the pan along with the tomato puree
• add the passata and chopped tomatoes 
• simmer for 25 mins

I serve with pasta but its also delicious served in a jacket potato with a sprinkle of cheese