I’ve been a huge fan of Jack Monroe and her recipes since I discovered her blog A Girl Called Jack in 2012. I was inspired by the cheap and delicious meals that she created with just a handful of ingredients.
Jack’s blog documented her journey as she struggled to support her son on a very meagre income. It was crammed with tasty recipes on a shoe-string budget and offered support and solace to others experiencing difficulties.
Words can’t even begin to do her journey justice, so I’ll venture no further to say that it’s been both heartbreaking and heartwarming to follow.
Her blog helped me immensely with my meal-planning and budgeting and I still use her recipes to this day. I’ve listed my favourites below.
Bargain burgers
1. Carrot, cumin and kidney bean burgers
These carrot, cumin and kidney bean burgers were one of the first Jack Monroe recipes that I tried. I’d make a huge batch and freeze them on a baking tray so that I had plenty to use at a later date.
I was a bit sceptical at first as I’d never had a burger that didn’t contain meat but I now prefer them, especially with a bit of sweet chilli sauce on the side.
2. Beetballs
Ok, I know I said burgers but I use this beetballs recipe to make burgers. I usually make double the quantity and find that I can get about 12 burgers out of it.
The cooking instructions are exactly the same as on the website and they’re delicious!
One pot wonders
3. Peach & Chickpea Curry
This peach & chickpea curry is pure comfort food. I was incredibly sceptical about the combination of chickpeas and peaches but it works wonderfully.
If you enjoy sweet and sour recipes then you’ll love this. Plus you can add the spices to suit your taste.
4. Bootstrap Chilli
I’ve made all sorts of chillis in the past, both vegetarian and meat versions but the Bootstrap chilli is the best one I’ve tried to date and it’s so simple!
It’s become a firm favourite and I’ve even been known to sneak a portion off to my Mum.
Souper soups
5. Spinach, lentil and lemon soup
This spinach lentil and lemon soup is surprisingly substantial and is a meal in itself. Some soups leave me feeling hungry afterwards but I don’t find the need to bulk this one out with bread.
I usually double the ingredients so that I have a few portions to take to work but I do halve the amount of garlic.
Which one will you try?
Your challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to give one of these recipes a try. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised and your wallet will thank you too.
If you’re looking for other ways to cut back on your food costs then take a look at how I saved over £10 a week on my grocery shopping.
Or if you’d like a slice of Jack to sit on your shelves, she has a host of books, including: A Girl Called Jack, Tin Can Cook and my all time favourite, Cooking on a Bootstrap.
Happy cooking and let me know how you get on.
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Image courtesy of Callum Lewis on Unsplash