Midweek Meals on a Budget

When looking to make midweek meals stretch that bit further, simple filling food is the order of the day. 

Money Wise Side Dishes

Cheap and cheerful side dishes can help to liven up your midweek meals and satisfy those appetites.

Parsnip, bubble and Squeak

Serves 4

A fantastic dish to use up leftover vegetables or any vegetables that need using up. This can be used as a side dish or serve with some fresh bread and butter as a comforting supper.

500g parsnips, diced,
1/2 savoy cabbage, shredded.
50g butter.
nutmeg, to season


If using raw parsnips (not left over ones) cook in a large pan of water until just tender, then tip in the cabbage and cook for further three minutes. Drain well, then return to the pan and mash with half the butter and  a good pinch of nutmeg and seasoning.

Next melt half of the remaining butter in a frying pan and then tip the vegetable mixture in, pressing it down to make a giant Patti. Fry for 5 mins on a moderate heat.

Dot the remaining butter on the top of mix and then grill under a hot grill until it is crisp and golden.

Serve immediately.

 

 

Savoury Jacket Potatoes

Serves 4


4 large potatoes
2 tbsp vegetable oil

plus any or all of the following:

50g cheddar grated
4 spring onions sliced
4 tomatoes
1/4 cucumber diced
2 slices stale bread, crumbed.


This recipe is great for using up the contents of the salad box or when there is an abundance of tomatoes and cucumbers in the summer.


Heat the oven to 220C/ Gas mark 7
Rub a little vegetable oil over each potato and place on the top shelf of the oven. Bake for 20 minutes, then turn the oven down to 190C/ gas mark 5 and bake 45 mins-1 hr, until the skin is crisp and the flesh nice and soft.

Cut the potatoes in half, scooping out the flesh into a bowl, combine, the diced ingredients and cheese and return to potato skins. Sprinkle the potatoes with bread crumbs and drizzle with a little oil, return to the oven for 10 mins until the bread crumbs are crisp and golden, serve immediately.