Friday 19 October 2012

16p large potato cakes






I don't often have bread in the house because i love toast, and honestly that's all i would eat given half a chance, but when i feel like a hearty breakfast, this is my go to item - quick, easy and cheap. Great with if you add a couple sausages (10p) an eggs (10p) and 1/2 a can of beans (13p). Super good, filling breakfast for 49p


Serves 2  16p each


1. In mixing bowl combine the following until evening incorporated

1 beaten egg
200 ml milk
1 stock cube (crumbled )

2. mix in the following and leave to stand for 1-2 min. 

it will look running to begin with. if its dry add a couple table spoons of water until it isn't. if it seems too wet add a little more potato. moisture content on products like this varies with storage, so i can't be 100% on the measurement. 

50g potato flakes (just less than half a packet)

3. form into 2 large or 4 small potato cakes (flattened balls with smooth edges) 

4. in a  non-stick pan heat 1 tbsp oil over LOW heat. cook cakes on first side for 2 min

5. add 1 more table oil and quickly turn, cook for 2 more min. 

6. turn frequently to prevent burning, but do not flatten.


* if you are having sausages with your meal, cook them in the pan first, and reserve the oil, that way you are saving the money you would have spent on the oil and reducing the over all cost by 3p. 

this is actually something i do whenever i cook fatty meat, its a bit old fashioned to save things like pan drippings, but often there is a lot of great flavor that can be used for other things. just store covered in the fridge or freezer. 



It's all about STARVING STUDENT SURVIVAL! - Mags, x


Nutritional information (Per Serving)

calories 254
carbs 16
fat 18
protein 7


shopping list

Tesco Everyday Value Mash 120G       £0.20 £0.08
Tesco Creamfield Semi Skim 4 Pint 2.272L £1.00 £0.11 
Tesco Everyday Value Eggs Box Of 15         £1.50 £0.10 
Tesco Everyday Value Vegetable Oil 1 Litre £1.29 £0.03

* if you are worried about the fat, just use less oil, smear it over the top and bottom and oven bake for 10 min. not quite as good, but VERY close*

Wednesday 17 October 2012

50p Pineapple Jerk Chicken and Caribbean Rice




This one came just on  budget at 50p, few... didn't want to start eliminating ingredients. 

Decided i would make this one last week when i was looking for cinnamon for my banana cupcakes and nearly poured the jerk seasoning into the cinnamon cream cheese frosting instead. Which reminds me, i should really put that recipe up too sometime - so simple and uses up those bananas we all forget about.  

Anyways, so i came up with this recipe last year, but the addition of the Caribbean rice is new, it balances the spicy nature of the jerk seasoning really well. 

£2.98 :Serves 6 (50p per serving)

Pineapple Jerk Chicken

1. In a slow cooker, or oven proof dish combine the following. 

1 can pineapple (with juice)
1 can tomatoes
1 cube garlic
1 Tbsp jerk seasoning
4 frozen chicken pieces
1 stock cube
2 med sweet potatoes
1/2 cup red lentils (for thickening)

Slow cook on low for 6 hours 
Oven cook at 180 for 2 hours (make sure dish is tightly covered with foil and use defrosted chicken for oven variation)

* 30 min before the end of cooking put the rice on *

2. after cooking remove chicken from bone and add back to the 

sauce, along with:

1 yellow pepper (diced)
1 can corn


Caribbean Rice - 

1. add these ingredients together and bring to the boil. 

1 can of kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
1 garlic cubes
1/2 tsp chili flakes
1 sachet coconut cream
1 tsp of salt
1 tsp black pepper
2 tsp dried thyme 
7 cups water

2. add 3 cups of rice and simmer for 15 min, cover tightly (foil and a lid). turn off and leave to steam for 20 min. 

3. Enjoy! As always, freezes well and remember not to keep the rice in the fridge for more than a day. 

It's all about STARVING STUDENT SURVIVAL! - Mags, x



Nutritional information (per serving)

calories 534
carbs      89
fat         10
protein    23

Shopping list

Tesco Everyday Value Chicken Portions 2Kg £3.19     £0.64
Tesco Everyday Value Peppers                £1.07     £0.11  
Millstone Crushed Chillies 28G                £0.69     £0.03
Tesco Everyday Value Sweetcorn 325G         £0.33    £0.33
Tesco Wholefoods Red Split Lentils 1Kg         £1.80     £0.18
Pataks Creamed Coconut Sachets 200G         £1.20    £0.30
Tesco Everyday Value  Tomatoes 400G         £0.31    £0.31
Tesco Everyday Value Kidney Beans 400G £0.18    £0.18
Dorot Crushed Garlic 80G                         £1.00    £0.10
Tesco Everyday Value chicken stock cubes £0.10    £0.01
 Schwartz Jamaican jerk seasoning 51g        £1.76     £0.18
Tesco Everyday value tinned pineapple         £0.32   £0.32
Tesco sweet potatoes 1.25kg (2 for £2)        £1.00    £0.40
Tesco dried thyme 16g                                £0.75    £0.07

 I like this best made with chicken, but sausages work great too, if you want a little bit more more meat for around the same amount of money. 

Tesco Everyday Value 20 Sausages 1Kg  £1.00,  2 per portion - 12 for  60p

Tuesday 16 October 2012

19p easy macaroni chee




Firstly my apologies for not posting in a week, to say I've been busy would be an understatement. I had my first test of the year this week, i won't complain too much, but lets just say i needed a little comfort food when i was done. Macaroni cheese is a great option for this, and my version is quick, easy and reasonably healthy in comparison to most at only 300 calories. 

The basis for a macaroni cheese is the beshemel (white sauce).traditionally you would need to gently heat butter and flour together to make what is called a rue, and then gradually add milk whisking together to avoid lumps. This recipe for an all in one  sauce much simpler. it also conveniently takes about the same amount of time as pasta does to cook.

Serves 4

1. put the pasta on 200g dry pasta into a large pan of BOILING salted water. if the water is at a rolling boil and there is plenty of it, it won't stick. boil for 10 min or until tender.

2. in a large microwave safe bowl, combine:

2 Tbsp flour
4 Tbsp water
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp mustard powder (or English mustard)
1/4 tsp ground pepper

2. add 600ml milk gradually, stirring to avoid making lumps.

3. Heat in the microwave for 5-8 min,whisking about every 2 min.

4. once thickened add:

         2 Tbsp Parmesan Cheese
         Cooked pasta (well drained)

Check below the shopping list for another alternative - 16 p CARBONARA, and  go on and enjoy that comfort food,remember:

It's all about STARVING STUDENT SURVIVAL! - Mags, x



Nutritional info (Per Serving)

calories 307
carbs          13
fat           5
protein  10


Shopping list.

Tesco Everyday Value Penne 500G £0.30  £0.12
Tesco Everyday Value Plain Flour 1.5Kg £0.52  £0.01
Tesco Creamfield Semi Skim 4 Pint 2.272L £1.00  £0.25
Sainsbury’s Basics Hard Cheese 250g £2.78  £0.33
Colmans Mustard Powder 57G         £1.34  £0.06



There are hundreds of alternatives to this sauce, here's another of my favourites:

16p Carbonara. Leave out the cheese and mustard, fry off bacon and garlic  before adding the sauce to a pan to heat (rather than microwaving). the flavors will then permeate the sauce.

extras shopping list:

Dorot Crushed Garlic (20 for £1.00) -  1 cube -  £0.05
Sainsbury cooking bacon (1kg for £2.00) - 100g £0.20

Wednesday 10 October 2012

30p mexican chili





I love mexican food, and I promise you'll really enjoy this Mexican chili too, it's completely worth the effort it takes to prepare. Enjoy it with a couple of our 3p tortillas or maybe some of our perfect rice (see 44p thai green curry). If you like sour cream and cheese with yours, a great cheaper option is a sprinkly of parmesan (sainsburys do a grated hard cheese for around £3, thats 5p/tsp )and a spoonful natural yogurt (tesco value - 500g for 52p, thats 2p/ Tbsp)

You will also need a slow cooker for this recipe. i've had this one for 3 years and it still works perfectly:

http://www.tesco.com/groceries/Product/Details/?id=258587186

At the moment the price is £15 online, but they are often £10 in stores, similarly priced alternatives are available from most supermarkets, wilko and argos. 

If you don't have one, this recipe is ALOT of baby-sitting the stove. If this is your option, remember books and laptops work fine in the kitchen too, 6 hours procrastinating is a bad plan. 



£1.52 serves 5 - 30p a serving 

1. In a large bowl or saucepan soak 100g of dry pinto beans in plenty of cold water. set aside to soak for 24 hours.

2. Place the following in a large frying pan.

100g mince
1 small pepper ( i like green for this recipe)
1 onion

Over low heat, and stiring occationall allow to simmer for 15 min. you want the mince to brown, it adds flavor. 

3. now add the following and stir for 5 more min

1 tsp Sugar (off sets the acidity of the canned tomatoes)
1 Garlic cubes
1 tsp Cumin
1 tsp dried Oregano
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp chili flakes

4. drain the beans, and place the meat and drained beans into the slow cooker with

1 can Tomatoes
1 can water.

5. Cook low overnight, or high for 6 hours, in the last hour add: 

1 cans of kidney beans
1/2 can corn (drained)




It's all about STARVING STUDENT SURVIVAL! - Mags, x




Nutritional information (per serving)
calories 225
carbs         31
fat                  5
protein   13

Shopping list
Tesco Everyday Value Mince 1Kg                  £2.75 £0.28
Tesco Everyday Value Peppers                  £1.07 £0.11 
Tesco Everyday Value Onions [12-15]Pack £0.69 £0.05 
Tate and lyle Granulated Sugar 1Kg Packet £0.88 £0.01 
Dorot Crushed Garlic 80G                          £1.00 £0.05
Tesco Everyday Value Kidney Beans 400G £0.18 £0.18
Tesco Wholefood Pinto Beans 500g         £0.99 £0.20
Millstone Crushed Chillies 28G                  £0.69 £0.04
Millstone Ground Cinnamon 40G                 £0.69 £0.02
Tesco Dried Oregano 14G                          £0.75 £0.04
Tesco Ground Cumin 43G                          £0.57 £0.06
Tesco Everyday Value Sweetcorn 325G          £0.33 £0.17
Tesco Everyday Value  Tomatoes 400G           £0.31 £0.31

Tuesday 9 October 2012

17p Large Scotch Eggs



This past weekend I knew i was going to be out with friends most of the day Saturday and Sunday, so i prepared a few things for a picnic. these were one of the most popular items. 


£1.40 for 8 - 17p each

Recipe for 8, keeps well in fridge for 3-5 days

1. Place 12 sausages to defrost in the fridge the day before. 

2. Boil 8 eggs for 10 min in salted water.

3. Place eggs in cold water and allow to cool

4. Peel of shell and dry off 

5. Roll in flour (10g)

6. Cover each Egg in 1 1/2 sausages (skins removed)

7. Roll in stuffing

allow to rest for 30min before baking to prevent the sausage  meat from shrinking around         the egg during cooking. 

8. Bake at 180C for 10-15 min (or until golden brown)

allow to cool before refrigerating.  

It's all about STARVING STUDENT SURVIVAL! - Mags, x


Nutritional information

Per Serving:
calories 300
carbs            17
fat                    18
protein           15



Shopping list

Tesco Everyday Value 20 Sausages 1Kg £1.00 £0.40
Tesco Everyday Value Stuffing 85G   £0.15 £0.15
Tesco Everyday Value Eggs Box Of 15 £1.50 £0.80
Tesco Everyday Value Plain Flour 1.5Kg £0.52 £0.03 

Friday 5 October 2012

3p Homemade Tortillas / Chappattis





Flour tortillas and Chapatti's are basically the same thing, although Chapatti's are traditionally made with more costly wholewheat flour.

Tortilla's are part of most Mexican meals including fajitas, burritos,quesadillas and enchiladas. The corn variety are a little trickier to make, but flour ones are super cheap and easy.

Chapatti's are a traditional Indian flat bread you may or may not have heard of. Basically they are an alternative to naan. Naan are quite time consuming to make, and no where near as tasty if not made in a tandoor (traditional oven).

Both of these are quite expensive items to buy in stores, averaging around £1-£2 for the equivalent amount. Considering how quick and easy these are to make, it hardly seems worth the expense.


These would be great with the 20p Korma soup, and look out for the Mexican chili recipe this evening. I'll refer back to this recipe in future for other Mexican dishes, and as an accompaniment to Indian.


30p batch of 10 large tortillas/chapattis - 3p each

1. In a large bowl sift together:

2 cups plain flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt


2. mix in the

4 tablespoons oil


3. quickly combine the

2/3 cups warm water

approximate amount - add a little more till a damp dough forms, you'll be adding more as you roll


4. Knead gently till a SOFT, smooth dough ball forms

5. Pinch the dough into 10 equally size pieces, roll (with some force) into smooth balls.

6. Roll out on a well floured surface using a rolling pin (or a wine bottle works too). you want to roll these out thinly, they should look a little see through, but not too much, 1.5-2mm

Flour well before stacking, and do not stack more than 3-4 in a pile or they will stick together. if this happens just remake into balls and re-roll.

I normally roll one with another is cooking, as it makes this whole process quicker, but don't try this till you are confident you won't burn them, or have someone else on hand to watch the pan.

7. Place a large frying pan on the largest hob, on a medium heat.

this allows for slow even cooking without over colouring.

8. Do not turn until they look puffy, 1-2 min. once turned only leave for another 30 sec or so.

9. Immediately place the next one in the pan, this prevents it from over heating

10. once cooked they can be safely stacked on top of one another, serve immediately or allow to cool uncovered (this prevents them from becoming overly moist)

Once cooled they will keep well flat in a Ziploc bag, or wrapped well in clingfilm for 2-3 days. don't put them in the fridge. they do however freeze well.

It's all about STARVING STUDENT SURVIVAL! - Mags, x



Nutritional information (per serving)

calories 222
Carbs        36
Fat 6
Protein       5

Shopping list

Tesco Baking Powder 170G £0.99   £0.04
Tesco Everyday Value Plain Flour 1.5Kg £0.52   £0.17
Tesco Pure Vegetable Oil 1 Litre £1.39   £0.09

Wednesday 3 October 2012

20p Korma Soup


Originally I called this "spicy lentil soup" when I made it last year for a Sunday gathering with friends. People kept telling me it tasted like Korma, hence the new and improved name. 

Everybody loved it best of all its quick, easy and freezes really well. 

(£1.19, serves 6 - 20p/serving)

1. In a large saucepan combine the following and heat over low flame for 2-5 min, until soft.

2 tsp Oil
1 small onion
1 red pepper

2. Add the following and stir continuously to prevent burning for about a min

1 large carrot
1 tsp garlic paste
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp curry powder
100g lentils

3. Add the following and simmer for 10 - 20 min with a lid on, until lentils carrots are completely soft and lentils are dissolving. 

1 stock cube
1500ml water

4. Blend with a hand blender *  before adding:

50g coconut cream




It's all about STARVING STUDENT SURVIVAL! - Mags, x




*I have this £4 blender, it works great: 
http://www.tesco.com/groceries/Product/Details/?id=262085618


Nutritional information

Calories 212
Carbs     42
Fat          7
Protein   18


Shopping list 

Tesco Wholefoods Red Split Lentils 1Kg         £1.80  £0.45
Pataks Creamed Coconut Sachets 200G         £1.20  £0.30
Tesco Everyday Value chicken stock cubes £0.10  £0.01
Tesco Ground Ginger 38G                                   £0.60  £0.02
Tesco Everyday Value Curry Powder 50G    £0.52  £0.05
Dorot Crushed Garlic 80G                                  £1.00  £0.05
Tesco Everyday Value Carrots (18-20)         £0.92  £0.05
Tesco Everyday Value Peppers                       £1.07  £0.20
Tesco Everyday Value Onions Pack £0.69  £0.05
Tesco Pure Vegetable Oil 1 Litre                  £1.39  £0.01

Tuesday 2 October 2012

15p cream tea





This past Sunday my housemates and I threww a "tea party" to celebrate my lovely friend Jenny's birthday. Despite it being a little impromptu, my housemate Ellie and I took the opportunity to make scones here's the recipe:


Makes 8/9 medium scones - bake at 200C for 10-12 min


1. In a mixing bowl, using  finger tips, combine the following until there are mostly pea sized lumps:

250g flour
40g cooking margarine (cold)

2. Add the following and stir gently

40g sugar
2 1/2 tsp baking powder (12.5g)
1 egg (beaten)
pinch of salt

3. Add the milk slowly till a soft dough consistency is attained, you may need to add a little more or less milk depending on the flour so add slowly. if it gets sticky at a little extra flour. 

80 ml milk (any, cold)

4.  turn out on work surface using:

20g flour to roll out

This prevents the dough from sticking while you gently kneed it to form a consistent textured dough. when you have (3/4 kneads) this pat gently into 2.5cm thick sheet.

5. cut out with a glass, recombining and patting out when necessary.

 tips:
again, handle the dough as little as possible
do not turn or twist (this will prevent them from rising properly)
try and cut as many out of the first sheet as possible (re-rolled scones will be slightly less awesome)

6. place on a lightly greased baking sheet, about 2cm apart.glaze with 20ml milk to glaze top (cold) using a pastry brush,or the back of a spook

7. bake at 200C for 10-12 min or until light golden brown

8. allow to cool on a wire rack ( i use the grill rack sometimes)


Now for the really yummy part:

I am sorry to say I do not have magical powers to reduce the cost of cream. Clotted cream is obviously the best, but thick double cream is similar in consistency and alot less expensive. 

Consider this for a housemate tea, that way you won't have to pay for and then not eat a whole load of cream. 

Here are your best options atm:

Langage Farm Clotted Cream 400g - £2.79 (£0.70/100g)
Tesco Extra Thick Double Cream 600ml - £1.70 (£0.28/100ml)
(2 for £1.70 - offer ends 27/11/12)

As for the Jam, Tesco value stawberry jam is GREAT and 35p 
(but avoid the mixed fruit, it really isn't worth saving the 6p/jar)




It's all about STARVING STUDENT SURVIVAL! - Mags, x






Cost breakdown for the Cream tea
scone                              5p 
2 Tbsp thick cream    9p 
           clotted                21p
3 tsp Jam                        1p



Nutritional info (Per Scone)
Plain     
Calories  177
carbs 29
Fat 4
Protein        5



Shopping list



Tesco Creamfield Semi Skim 4 Pint 2.272L £1.00 £0.04
Tesco Baking Powder 170G                               £0.99 £0.07
Tesco Everyday Value Eggs Box Of 15           £1.50 £0.10
Tate and lyle Granulated Sugar 1Kg Packet £0.88 £0.04
Tesco Baking Fat 250G                                        £0.55 £0.09
Tesco Everyday Value Plain Flour 1.5Kg      £0.52 £0.08



Tesco Extra Thick Double Cream 600ml £1.70   £0.09
[Langage Farm Clotted Cream 400g            £2.79   £0.21]
Tesco Everyday value strawberry jam £0.35 £0.01






Monday 1 October 2012

44p "easy thai green curry"



A great simple and tasty meal


This is something people always think is rediculously difficult to make, not so. You will notice however i use a pre-made paste, this is a cost thing. there are many fresh ingredients in this paste, ingluding things like fresh ginger and lemongrass that aren't storable and will simply go off before you have time to use them up. the pre-made pastes are really good, i went for the cheapest this week, but if you find one you particularly like, let me know. 

I reconmend making 3 portions so there is another one for later in the week, and one to add to a
freezer stock-pile. I'll reconmend this with most recipes, so you:

a)don't have to cook every night of the week
b)  theres a stock-pile for busy or financially strapped weeks in the freezer.

Saying that, please follow these health and safty guidlines:



  • Allow meal to cool before refridgerating. 
  • Don't leave rice out overnight. 
  • Don't leave rice the fridge for longer than 2 days (total)


Nutritional info and itemised shopping list at the bottom of this post.


Ingredients (3 servings)

1. In a large pan or slow cooker (so it can be left unattended) place the following:

250g frozen chicken (does not need to be defrosted)
1 stock cubes
500ml boiling water

2. Simmer COVERED, low for 20-40min (or slow cook 2h)
     Allow to cool

3. Remove any bone or skin from chicken and set aside in just enough stock to cover the chicken (this will prevent it from becoming dry)

4. place the stock and following ingredients in a pan

50g  green curry paste
50g red lentils (rinsed in cold water)

5. Simmer 10-15 min, untill lentils are tender and stock is thickened.

* this is a great time to make the rice*


6. after the above 10-15 min Add:

50g  creamed coconut (1 sachets)

7. Stir untill it looks evenly coloured
Remove from heat and add:

100g Broccoli (defrosted in microwave)
50g   Frozen peas
(plus reserved cooked chicken in stock)

8. Serve over rice.

(If broccoli or peas aren't your thing, any green veg will work. Try green pepper and spinach, or cougettes and spring onions , I even add a 1/2 bag of stir fry veg when i have it left over)


* "perfect rice"

Place ingredients in a pan:

1 cup long grain rice
1 3/4 cups cold water
1/4 tsp salt

stir once, DO NOT STIR AGAIN!


  • Bring to the boil, reduce to simmer. 
  • simmer for 10min uncovered. 
  • Place a tight lid ( or foil, then a plate) over the rice pan. 
  • allow to steam for a further 10-15min. 
  • fluff with fork to separate grains before serving

Serve and ENJOY 

Hope you guys all enjoy making this, and as ever, don't forget....

It's all about STARVING STUDENT SURVIVAL! - Mags, x


Nutritional information (per serving)

Calories     458
Carbs            33
Fat                 22
Protein        30


Shopping list**

Tesco Wholefoods Red Split Lentils 1Kg £1.80 £0.09
Tesco Everyday Value Long Grain Rice 1Kg £0.40 £0.08
Pataks Creamed Coconut Sachets 200G £1.20 £0.30
Blue Dragon Thai Green Curry Paste 285G £1.50 £0.26
Tesco Everyday Value Chicken Portions 2Kg £3.19 £0.40
Tesco Everyday Value chicken stock cubes £0.10 £0.01
Tesco Everyday Value Broccoli 907g £1.00 £0.11
Tesco Everyday Value Garden Peas 900G £1.00 £0.05

                                                     total       £10.09     £1.32

**Cost (1/10/12, tesco online)
1st collumb - cost per quantity available to purchase
2nd collumb -cost per quantity used.