Who's got ideas of dinner meals I can cook (within tight budget) for my 12 yr old girls.. they get sick of the meat and 3 vege thing.. I can do quiche, toasted sandwiches..
Any more suggestions?
theanimal1,
Sep 21, 7:35pm
Cheese and Ham Croquettes
3oz butter, 2 1/2 oz flour, 1/2 pint milk, 4oz grated cheese, 4oz cooked ham, salt and pepper. Melt butter in saucepan, add flour and cook for a few minutes. Gradually add milk beating well. Beat cheese, ham and seasoning into mixture. Put in bowl and chill until firm. Shape into croquettes and dip in egg mix then crumbs. Then Fry.
theanimal1,
Sep 21, 7:35pm
Chicken Croquettes
80g butter or marg small onion finely chopped 1/2tsp dried thyme1/2tsp dried oregano 2 cups finely chopped cooked chicken (can use chicken mince, just cook for an extra 2 minutes approx) 2 T flour 2 T chopped parsley 1 T french mustard 1 t salt pinch black pepper 2 tablespoons milk 1 egg lightly beaten 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Melt 30g of the butter in a large heavy frying pan.Add the onion and cook over moderate heat until soft- about 5 min.Blend in the thyme and oregano and cook 1 min more.Stir in the chicken, flour, parsley, mustard, salt, pepper and milk and cook for 3 min.Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the egg and cheese.
Pour the mixture into a buttered medium sized dish spreading it evenly.Chill in the freezer for 15 min or until stiff enough to shape
Take the dish from the freezer and shape into patties
Melt the remaining butter in the pan over moderately high heat and brown the croquettes for 3 to 4 min each side.
theanimal1,
Sep 21, 7:36pm
Cobb Loaf 2x cream cheese, 3/4 sweet corn relish, handful ham, handful sliced spring onions, squeeze of mayo, shake of garlic salt. MIX the above, scoop the insides out of a cobb loaf (or similar bread). Fill with the mixture, wrap in tin foil and bake at 180 for about 50 mins. Serve with the bread, snax/rice crackers and/or celery and carrot sticks.
OR THIS...
hot spinach and cream cheese dip in a hollow bread
1 carton cream cheese, 1 cup mayonaise, 1 cup grated tasty cheese, 1 chopped onion, few fresh spinach leaves chopped finely, salt and pepper - I mix it together in a pot over a low heat tll combined, Hollow out loaf (cut top off first to make a lid). Fill with cheese mix, put lid on top and wrap in foil. Cook for about 1 - 1 1/2 hrs! Stir once or twice through cooking. You can use crackers/chips to dip or bake insides of bread in oven for a bout 10 mins
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~- ~~~~~~~~~~
Savoury Loaf
When you need inspiration for BBQs and parties you can’t beat this recipe. A novel recipe using a loaf of bread as a ‘container’ for dip!
Ingredients:
1 Cobb loaf (a longer loaf is OK, just make sure you can cut a good lid) 500g Cream cheese (lite works well) 2 Bacon rashers 1 Cup grated tasty cheese 100g Salami, finely chopped 1 Cup cold cooked spinach (with excess moisture removed) 1 Onion, finely chopped 1-2 Cloves garlic, finely chopped 1 Green or red pepper (or half of each) 6 Large gherkins 4-5 Large pita breads Instructions:
Cut the top off the cob loaf so you’ve got a lid. Scoop out the soft bread carefully to make a shell but leave a good 1 cm of soft bread inside. Saute the onion, garlic, bacon, and peppers until soft then let cool before adding all the ingredients together in a good sized mixing bowl. The mixture should be fairly thick. Once all ingredients are well mixed, tip the mixture into the bread shell.
Place on an unlined baking tray and bake in a moderate oven (180c or 160c fan bake) for about an hour or until the mix inside is hot. You may need to cover the top of the bread with tin foil halfway through to prevent the top of the bread burning. Serve the whole bread on a large platter with toasted pita bread cut into good sized pieces or crackers scattered around it. As the dip level goes down, break pieces off the side of the bread and use them too.
Cooks Tip:
If you’re running short of time – heat the dip separately in the microwave and then add to the bread, place in a hot oven for about 15 minutes (fan bake) until the outside of the bread is crunchy and you’re ready to go.If you don’t want to put the meat in simply leave it out - the dip will still be delicious.
theanimal1,
Sep 21, 7:37pm
corn fritters
4 rashers of bacon salsa 1c self raising flour 3 ripe tomatos 1 egg ½ onion 1c milk squeeze lemon juice 400gm can whole kernel corn 1tsp sweet chilli sauce 1-2 tsp chopped chives 2tsp chopped parsley Oil for cooking
Grill bacon and keep warm in oven on baking paper Place flour in bowl, make well in centre and break in egg add half the milk. Whisk together til smooth adding remainder of milk. Add drained corn, chives, salt and pepper. Heat oil in frying pan and cook big spoonfuls of mixture. When bubbles form on the top, turn and complete cooking on other side. Keep warm in oven until ready to serve. To serve, place large corn fritter onto a warmed plate, add slice of bacon and a spoonful of salsa. Add another fritter and some more salsa and top off with dollop of sour cream. Combine the salsa ingredients in a bowl and stand 10 mins before using
courtesy of ariel11 xxx
theanimal1,
Sep 21, 7:37pm
CREAMED CORNEASY SOUTHERN STYLE
6 medium ears fresh corn ½ c. butter ¼ c water 1 tsp. sugar ½ c. half & half 2 tsp. cornstarch salt & pepper to taste
Cut corn from cob (about halfway down the kernel), then scrape well. (You could do this the day before and store covered in the fridge.) Place butter in micro-proof casserole dish and microwave until melted. Stir in corn, water and sugar. Cover tightly with plastic and micro HI 3 min. In the meantime, put the cornstarch into the half & half so it will begin dissolving, stir frequently. Stir the corn and give dish ½ turn. Cover again and micro HI 5-7 min. Then stir the half & half mixture into the corn, cover and micro HI 2-3 minutes. Stir well, adding salt & pepper to taste.
* Quote
jessie981
theanimal1,
Sep 21, 7:39pm
Homemade chicken nuggets
Ingredients:
* 2-3 chicken breast fillets (about 600g) * ½ cup plain flour * 2 eggs * 4 slices day old bread * 1/3 cup cornflake crumbs * 1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese * ½ cup mayonnaise * 2 tablespoons sweet chilli sauce
Method:
Tear bread into pieces and whiz in a food processor to get fine bread crumbs.
Slice chicken breasts into bite size pieces. Put the flour on a large square of baking paper.
Whisk eggs in a small bowl. Mix breadcrumbs, cornflake crumbs and parmesan cheese in a bowl. Coat the chicken pieces in flour, dust off, dip in egg wash and then coat in crumb mix. You may need to press the crumbs on. Place the coated chicken pieces onto a baking tray lined with baking paper. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 180°C and bake the chicken for 10 minutes or until cooked through. To make the dipping sauce, combine mayonnaise and sweet chilli sauce in a small bowl.
Serve nuggets with dipping sauce.
theanimal1,
Sep 21, 7:41pm
Lemon chicken with spaghetti
* Serving size: Serves 4 * Cooking time: Less than 30 minutes
Ingredients
* 2 lemons * 8 lemon thyme sprigs, plus 2 teaspoons leaves * 4 small chicken breast fillets, skin on * ½ cup (125ml) white wine * 400g spaghetti * 150g baby spinach
Method
Cut one lemon into thin slices. Grate rind and squeeze juice of remaining lemon. Place 2 or 3 lemon slices with 2 sprigs of thyme beneath skin of each chicken breast.
Heat a lightly oiled, non-stick frying pan on medium. Cook chicken, skin side down first, for 5 minutes each side, until browned and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside. Add wine to pan and bring to boil, stirring to pick up crusty pieces from base of pan. Season to taste.
Meanwhile, cook spaghetti in a large saucepan of boiling, salted water according to packet directions. Drain, return to pan with lemon thyme leaves, lemon rind and juice and baby spinach. Toss on high heat to warm through.
Serve chicken with spaghetti and drizzle with pan sauce.
theanimal1,
Sep 21, 7:41pm
Mexican Mince and Potato Bake
•1 teaspoon olive oil •500g beef mince •2-3 cloves of garlic – finely sliced •1 green capsicum - chopped •1 yellow capsicum - chopped •8 spring onions (2 bunches) sliced •3 small-medium tomatoes – chopped •1 teaspoon chilli powder •1 tablespoon ground cumin •1 teaspoon garlic salt •1/2 teaspoon black pepper •1/4 teaspoon salt, •3-5 large baking potatoes, sliced thin, •3/4 cup grated tasty cheese. Preheat oven to 180°C. In a large pan, heat the oil, add the mince, capsicums and spring onions. Cook, stirring as needed, until the mince is browned and the vegetables are softened. Add tomatoes, spices and salt, cook, stirring as needed until the flavours are blended, about five minutes. Arrange layers of the potatoes and mince mixture in the baking dish. Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes, uncover and sprinkle evenly with the cheese. Bake until the potatoes are cooked through and the cheese is melted, about 10-15 minutes longer.
theanimal1,
Sep 21, 7:42pm
Ming Ling meal in a pot
1kg. Mince 1 large Apple, peeled and chopped 1/2 Tbsp. Curry Powder 2 Tbsp. Soy Sauce 4 cups Water 1 packet Chicken Noodle Soup 2 Onions, chopped 1 Tbsp. Brown Sugar 2 Tbsp. Tomato Sauce 3 Tbsp. uncooked Rice 3 Carrots, grated 1 Cabbage, chopped fine
Brown mince and onions in a large pot. Add apple, sugar, curry, sauces, rice and water and boil 15 minutes. Add carrot, soup and cabbage. Mix in well and cook another 15 minutes.
Serve with warm crisp rolls.
theanimal1,
Sep 21, 7:43pm
rolled meat loaf
500g mince 1 egg 1 teaspoon soy sauce 1/2 cup fresh breadcrumbs OR 1/2 cup rolled oats 1/2 teaspoon mixed herbs 1 small onion finely chopped FILLING 2 boiled eggs 3/4 cup grated cheese TOPPING 1/2 cup tomato sauce 1/4 cup brown sugar 1 tablespoon vinegar 1. In a large bowl beat egg and add rest of ingredients. 2. Mix thoroughly, (your hand is a good tool here). 3. Spread out a sheet of greasproof paper about 30cm x 20cm and smooth out meat mixture to fit. 4. Cut eggs in quarters longways and put in a line across long side of meat nearest you, 5. Scatter cheese over. 6. Using paper to help you, roll up meat like a sponge roll, place on a baking dish with sides seam side down. 7. Mix topping ingredients and cover loaf. 8. Bake for about 1 hour at 180º.
theanimal1,
Sep 21, 7:44pm
Spaghetti Carbonara
By Simon Holst
This is a simple sauce, but it is quite delicious. You quite literally stir the sauce ingredients together as the pasta cooks, then stir it through the hot, drained pasta – not a bad way to make a meal!
Ingredients
For 4-6 servings:
* 400g fresh or dried spaghetti * 2 eggs * ½ cup of cream * ½ cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese * 1 tsp salt * 150g to 200g sliced ham * 25g (2 to 3 Tbsp) butter, cubed * Black pepper, to taste
Method
1. Put the spaghetti on to cook in plenty of boiling water with 1 teaspoon of salt. While the pasta cooks, combine eggs, cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Cut the ham into narrow (5mm to 10mm) ribbons.
2. When the pasta is cooked, drain it, then return to the cooking pot and add the cubed butter. As soon as the butter has melted, add the egg mixture and stir to thoroughly combine.
3. The heat of the pasta and pot should thicken the sauce to a thick, creamy consistency. If the sauce is not thickening, return the pot to a very low heat (the switched-off element will usually do) for a minute of two, stirring frequently. Add the ham strips and a generous grind of black pepper, then stir again and leave to stand for one minute.
4. Serve immediately with extra grated Parmesan cheese.
theanimal1,
Sep 21, 7:46pm
CHICKEN PIE
Oil for frying 2 large skinless chicken breast, diced or 500g chicken mince 1 onion - chopped 300g bacon - chopped 3Tbsps flour 1/2cup milk 1/2cup cream 1Tbsp fresh thyme leaves or 1/2Tbsp dried thyme Salt and freshly ground pepper A packet of flaky pastry Milk to glaze Make the filling by heating a little oil in a frying pan. Add chicken, bacon and onion and brown. Add the flour and cook stirring constantly for 1 min. Add the milk, cream and thyme and cook stirring until the mixture comes to a simmer and thickens. Line the base of the tin with pastry sheet allowing a little to overhang. Spoon the filling in to fill the pastry case. Brush the edges of the base with milk and apply top pastry. Press the top onto the bottom using the fork and then trim excess pastry. Brush pastry surface with milk. Bake in an oven preheated to 200C for 35mins or until pastry is golden brown
theanimal1,
Sep 21, 7:47pm
Barbeque Glaze Meatloaf
500g bacon slices trimmed, 1 onion chopped, 750g beef mince, 250g sausage meat, 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs, 1/2 cup chopped parsley, 2 teaspoons rosemary leaves, 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce, sea salt and cracked pepper add garlic if you like. ***BARBEQUE GLAZE***
1/3 cup tomato sauce 2 tablespoons brown sugar 2 tablespoons red wine vinega r... Preheat oven to 180c. To make the barbeque glaze, place the sauce, sugar and vinegar in a small saucepan over low heat and stir until sugar dissolved. Brush the glaze over both sides of bacon, reserving any glaze. Line a 20x10x7cm greased loaf tin with the bacon slices. Place the onion, garlic, beef mince, sausage meat, breadcrumbs, parsley, rosemary, worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper in a bowl and mix well to combine. Press the mince mixture into the loaf tin, fold over the bacon to enclose the filling and cook for 35 mins or until cooked through. Carefully drain any excess liquid from the tin and turn the meatloaf out on to a baking tray. Brush the loaf with the remaining glaze and cook for a further 8-10mins or until the top is golden. Slice to serve. serves 8.
1. Grate the zest from the lemon, lime, and orange into a large bowl. Squeeze the juice from half of each piece of fruit into the bowl. Whisk in 1 tablespoon barbeque sauce. Stir in mince; mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 10 to 30 minutes. 2. Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat, and lightly oil the grate. 3. Form meat into patties. Grill with lid open, about 3 minutes per side. Brush each burger with one tablespoon barbeque sauce during grilling, coating both sides. Top burgers withcheese and cook until cheese is melted and meat is no longer pink in the center, about 1 additional minute.
jennie5963,
Sep 21, 8:54pm
Blimey, guessing parmesan and heaps of the above aren't quite to hand on a tight budget. What about a pancake night or tinned smoked fish fillets can stretch with macaroni and pasta sauce added. Yours girls might be keen on a huge salad - leafy or rice. There might be some ideas if you put 'vegetarian' in the search on the side.
jorjiasmum,
Sep 21, 8:59pm
Home made pizza always goes down well in my house. And I make the pizza base with 3c flour, 2t bp, 2 cloves garlic, 3 t mixed herbs, oil and water. Makes a whole oven tray and theres always some left over for heat ups for the kids school lunch the next day :)
jorjiasmum,
Sep 21, 9:01pm
Oh and we sometimes have dessert nights where the kids and I will just have dessert for tea lol . I'll make a choc self saucing pudd, a hot fruit sponge pudding or something like that. Goes down great and doesn't cost a lot :)
cookessentials,
Sep 21, 9:14pm
I do a vegetable bake with a sour cream sauce which is lovely. Basically cooked pumpkin,onion rings,feta cheese,cubed layered with cooked silverbeet and sliced cooked kumar, then the sauce poured over and grated cheese on the top.
frances1266,
Sep 21, 9:46pm
I will bump up a meat free thread for you,
herself,
Sep 21, 9:48pm
Home made hamburgers always go down a treat and don't have to be expensive.A sausage meat or mince pattie and salad veg. of your choice between a bun with a good dollop of sauce.yummoWhen we want a bit of a treat we turn them into Hawaiian burgers with the addition of pineapple rings.
twelve12,
Sep 21, 10:12pm
trawl op shops (or even just good ol tradme) for old womens day cookbooks.The ingredients are things we can get here, and they are designed to be cheap.They are easy to follow, and YUM! I love 'em!
theanimal1,
Sep 21, 10:23pm
oops sorry didn't see the tight budget bit oops xxx was just giving a different variety for you xxx
dragonzflame,
Sep 21, 10:36pm
You need a copy of Meals Without Meat, by Alison Holst. That has some absolutely awesome recipes, most of which are great for the budget, and half the time you barely notice there's no meat in them. Great for a change from the meat and three. I especially love the brown rice and lentil loaf, and the mushroom strudel.
rainrain1,
Sep 22, 12:33am
Baked potato, french toast, pizza, scrambled eggs, or.......
Cheese Pudding:- 2 cups fresh white breadcrumbs 2 cups grated cheese 1/2 teasp salt 1/4 teasp dry mustard 1/4 teasp cayenne pepper 2 lightly beated eggs 2 cups milk freshly ground black pepper 1 small onion grated
Mix breadcrumbs, cheese, salt, mustard, cayenne and pepper. Add onion, eggs and milk and place in greased ovenproof dish. Bake 40-45 minutes at 200degrees C.Puffs up beautifully
Can be made 24hrs ahead and kept covered in fridge Can dress it up with a small can shrimps minus the juice
Since the public registrations are closed, you must have an invite from a current member to be able to register and post in this thread.
Have an account? Login here.