Food Monday ~ Budget Meals for Students

I came across these low cost recipe suggestions that I sent to Elly when she was away at University.  I know several folk at college who might find them handy to ring the changes.  If there is an ingredient you do not like then change for something you do like.  Students seldom bother with kitchen scales so I have not given amounts.  Experiment.  That is how all the best dishes started.

Pulse Dishes

Tuna & Bean Salad: drain a can of cannelloni beans and toss with flaked tuna, sliced onions, French dressing and parsley.

Black-Eye Bean Lasagna: Mix two cans of drained black-eye beans, a jar of tomato pasta sauce, then layer with sheets of no-cook lasagna. Top with cheese sauce and grated cheese. Bake until golden.

Potato Dishes

Baked Potatoes: Bake the potatoes in oven or microwave. Cut along the cooked potato and fill with Grated cheese, baked beans or tuna fish sweet corn & mayonnaise.

Tuna Fish cakes: Mix mashed potatoes with canned tuna fish, beaten egg and seasoning to taste. Press into cake sized patties and shallow fry until golden.

Potato Cheesies: substitute grated cheese and a little pickle for the tuna, and prepare as above.

Rice Dishes

Mushroom Risotto: Sauté sliced mushrooms and onion in butter, add risotto rice, then chicken stock in stages. When the rice is tender and the liquid absorbed, stir in grated cheese.

Pilau: Fry one onion and add pre-cooked rice, with left over cooked meat, vegetables and curry paste; heat stirring through.

Kedgeree: Boil Rice with curry powder and stock, drain. Stir in cooked flaked smoked cod and chopped hard-boiled eggs. Keep stirring until hot.

Chinese fried Rice: sauté sliced carrot, mushrooms, bean sprouts & peppers. Add five spice powder, soy sauce and drained cooked rice and stir-fry.

15 thoughts on “Food Monday ~ Budget Meals for Students

  1. elfinamsterdam

    Love Risotto!

    Was about to make it last night… but got lazy.
    My excuse is I have to dry my clothes in the kitchen (tiny apartment) and I hate them smelling of food, so I eat salads and sandwiches when I do laundry.

    Elf

    Reply
  2. steph

    Grannymar

    Well-timed!

    After tomorrow’s emergency budget, there’ll probably be a lot more people eating budget meals! 🙁

    Reply
  3. Grannymar Post author

    @Elf – If you light a candle in the kitchen while you cook it should help.

    @Baino – with all the cuts at the moment maybe Bulmers pot noodles and three-in-ones will be outside the budget. Fast food is not good for the health or the pocket.

    @Steph – It is tightened belts all round.

    @WWW – Pleased to jog your memory.

    Reply
  4. Maryrose Lyons

    I lived on coleslaw in 4th year. Cheap to make (just go to Moore St for ingredients) and you can have it on toast for lunch, on baked spud for dinner, and on a spoon straight out of the fridge as a snack!

    Top tip: add a spoon of garlic salt and you’re in gastro heaven

    Reply
  5. Maz

    There’s a recipe on the back of campbells (I think this has been rebranded as Erin) cream of mushroom soup for a tuna pasta bake that is really cheap and easy to make.

    I love cheap and cheerful recipes like the ones you featured today GM.

    Reply
  6. Annb

    Yummy, I’m impressed, having survived college on scrambled eggs and baked beans, I’m really sorry I didn’t have these dishes to fall back on. Not to worry though, no time like the recessionary present……

    Reply
  7. Grannymar Post author

    @Maryrose – Coleslaw is tasty and you can vary it with chopped fruit and nuts. very easy.

    @Maz – The Campbell’s condensed soups have good simple basic recipes. My first chicken & broccoli came from there though it has been well altered over the years.

    @Kimme – Hello and welcome. I am pleased you enjoy my foodie days.

    @Annb – I didn’t cover eggs, might keep them for another day.

    Reply
  8. Magpie11

    My kedgeree recipe calls for smoked fish so haddock is good…without colouring…but have had mackeral…very strong. make your own Curry powder…great fun!

    Originally an Indian dish made with pulses!

    Did you do Rice pudding another time? I love it with a slice of gorgonzola…I’m sure I’m reaeating myself!

    Reply
  9. Grannymar Post author

    Magpie,

    I have not given a recipe for Rice pudding since I am unable to eat it and have not made it in the past thirty five years.

    Reply
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