LIFE ON A BUDGET: Three meals when dining in for one
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Living alone comes with it's perks: no-one to tell me when to do the washing-up, I can play my music as loud as I want and I get to choose what is on the television. However, one thing that I constantly have to think about is what am I having for my dinner tonight? I never want to cook something too big, otherwise I'm eating it for the rest of the week, and I also need to watch where I am spending.
So here are my three meals on the cheap that do not go to waste (Masterchef watch out!):
1. 'Decadent' tagliatelle
Cost: (95p plus household ingredients)
This is my go-to comfort food after a busy day at work, and I just want something quick and easy to make. It requires only household items too!
At 95p for a 500g bag of dried tagliatelle, it keeps me going for a while!
I simply just take a few bundles of the pasta, boil it until soft, drain and add a dollop of butter (I would need a mortgage for Lurpak, so it's the store alternative) and I give it a good mix. I then sprinkle it with salt and pepper and voilà, it is done! (If you have some cheese in you can even grate a little on top too).
2. Coconut rice and garlic prawns
Cost: (£4.95 for all the ingredients so a bit more pricey, but it keeps me going for more than one meal and the ingredients keep)
I have recently discovered this little number, and it is something I can pack up the next day and take to work too.
A 1kg bag of rice costs me 45p, and a tin of coconut milk from Indian Stores on Tomnahurich Street costs me £1.
I don't really measure it but I pour in the amount of coconut rice I want to eat into the pan before covering it with water.
I then add the tin of coconut milk over the top and bring it to the boil.
I then add one teaspoon of sugar and a sprinkle of soil, and bring the temperature down. I put the lid on the pan until the liquid reduces (around 15-20 mins) and I am left with a sticky coconut rice.
In another pan, I fry up the prawns (£3.50 for a frozen 250g bag, so I can keep them for a while), in butter and add some garlic.
Once ready top your coconut rice with the garlic prawns and you have yourself a tasty meal. These ingredients keep me going a while, and I normally take a cold portion for work the next day too.
3. Sweet potato & feta
Cost: £1.69
Again these ingredients will do me a while. Simply cut a down the middle of two sweet potatoes, and bake for approximately 45 minutes in the oven, with a little oil. Add some feta cheese and salt and pepper and bake for another 5 mins.
It is not the most exciting meal, but it is tasty and filling!
