Budget recipes for a family with a small income for every day. Jellied pie with cabbage and canned fish
» Budget meals for the whole family
Budget meals for the whole family
You can eat delicious food in any situation, even when you need to tighten your belts. Main, learn recipes for budget meals and plan your menu in advance. If you make bulk purchases in discount stores or wholesale stores for two weeks or even a month in advance, you can save about 1000-1500 rubles monthly. Here are some tips for creating an economical menu.
Recipes for budget meals for starters
Eating economically means having a first course in the refrigerator. It is advisable to cook a large pot of borscht or soup so that it will last for several days. This is due to the fact that preparing fresh first meals every day requires more time and a larger assortment of products in the refrigerator, unless you prepare the same thing every day or at least alternate two or three dishes. In any case, it would be more advisable to cook a large pan at once.
It is quite cheap to cook any soups using porridge or pasta and potatoes in a 1:1 ratio. As a meat ingredient, you can buy chicken soup sets or chicken backs, livers and hearts. You can also buy all the chicken at once for several dishes. If you are buying wings for meat dishes, you can cut off the last phalanges of the wings and store them in the freezer. When a large number of these scraps accumulate, where can you throw all the scraps, you can weld new soup or borscht.
In summer you can do okroshka. For this you need boiled sausage, fresh cucumber, boiled potatoes, boiled eggs, mineral water with gas and low-fat kefir (or kvass). All ingredients are cut into cubes, as in Olivier, and poured with kefir and mineral water. To give more spicy taste You can add a few tablespoons of mustard, salt, pepper and fresh herbs to the okroshka. 
Also ideal from the point of view of economy may be lean, or cold, borscht. It is prepared similarly to regular borscht, but without meat. Instead, just before the borscht is ready, sardines or bullheads in tomato are added. If there is a financial opportunity or your own conservation, then Lenten borscht can add canned corn or beans. This will make this first dish more satisfying. Even hodgepodge can be made on a budget if you save scraps of meat for it and put aside small pieces of sausage, and use cucumbers own conservation. Or cook directly the day after the holiday, using the remaining deli meats.
Delicious budget dishes for the main course
For main courses it is cheaper to use cereals, pasta and potatoes. What could be cheaper than fried or oven-baked potatoes? Or mashed potatoes? These budget dishes made from potatoes are also complemented by potato pancakes. There should always be millet, wheat porridge, buckwheat or rice in the house, which can be not only stand-alone side dish, but also become the basis for the first. So, you can do it for the first half of the week buckwheat soup and field porridge, and for the second half - soup with millet and buckwheat with mushrooms.
Field porridge, like naval pasta, is perfect both for camping and for dinner in a cozy family circle. For field porridge You will need seasonings, herbs, undercuts, oil and millet (or wheat porridge). Put butter or sunflower oil in a saucepan (preferably in a cast iron roasting pan) until it heats up. Then the undercut, thinly sliced, is thrown into the oil. When the pieces are browned, water and millet are added to the pan, and the porridge is cooked until all the water has boiled away.
You can make a stew from all the vegetables you have in the refrigerator or pasta with sausage, onions and bell peppers. For the last dish, you need to fry the onions and sausage (sausages), add sweet pepper and a little tomato paste. Cook the pasta and mix with the resulting sauce.
It should be noted that preparing dishes where the side dish is mixed with meat, for example, pilaf, is much cheaper than preparing separately. You can make chicken in the oven, baked with vegetables and potatoes. You can also use foil and baking sleeves, which will make even ordinary potatoes along with any other ingredients - vegetables, meat or fish - lick your fingers.
By the way, if there is some puree left over that no one wants to finish eating, you can make cutlets out of it: just form the cutlets according to the shape and fry them a little in a frying pan. Similar transformations can be made with any dish, that is, the leftovers of uneaten food can be turned into other budget dishes.
Budget salads and desserts
It’s hard to call salads themselves economical option, especially if the family loves them. To diversify the menu, you can stuff eggs (cut them in half, remove the yolk, mix with mayonnaise or sour cream, add spices and herbs to the mixture and put back in the white) or make squash caviar, columns of zucchini, eggplant or zucchini, as well as all sorts of onion or zucchini cutlets. You can also stew cabbage with finely chopped meat or sausage (sausages) and tomato paste. 
For dessert, pancakes, pancakes, jelly with the addition of seasonal fruits or Apple pie. Let us remind you that folk wisdom says that absolutely anything can be wrapped in pancakes and pies. For example, pears disappear from the dacha, it is better to make a pie with pears or pear jam; There is minced meat and mashed potatoes left - you can make pancakes with meat or potatoes with sour cream. Pancakes and pies will help replenish sour milk and save time.
You can significantly reduce your food costs by canning and freezing vegetables and fruits in season. Then, using chopped frozen sweet peppers, you can make delicious any borscht, and pickles will become a great addition to your daily diet.
Cooking quickly or HOW TO GET OUT OF THE KITCHEN WITHOUT LEAVING YOUR FAMILY HUNGRY
Cooking quickly or HOW TO GET OUT OF THE KITCHEN WITHOUT LEAVING YOUR FAMILY HUNGRY
IN THE EVENING I COOK SEMI-FINISHED FOODS FOR THREE DAYS
No, folk wisdom is always right! I started making it for three days, but not ready-made food, but semi-finished products, for example, strong broth. Taking the meat out onto a plate with a slotted spoon, I separate it from the bones, crumble it, put it in the broth, and be sure to boil it. I cook from part of the broth on the first day vermicelli soup, the next day rassolnik, then - kharcho or etc. When the broth runs out - I make milk soup, fish soup, and on the day off I spend a little longer, process a lot of vegetables into borscht, cook fresh meat or chicken bouillon- again for three days.
If there is too much cooked meat for soups, I put some of it in the refrigerator, making sure to cover it so that it doesn’t get airy and pick up foreign odors. I use this meat for salads, pancakes, pies, pizza, navy pasta.
I fry on vegetable oil Not just one carrot, but several at once; I put some of them in a jar and keep them in the refrigerator. I use carrots for first courses, stewing chicken or fish, dressing a salad of boiled beans with garlic, etc. I sauté the onion in the same way. large quantities: He subsequently goes everywhere.
Rendered lard I make it from a large piece at once. Scooping a spoonful of fat-filled cracklings out of a jar in the refrigerator is much faster than frying them every time, for example, for scrambled eggs or potato babka. I can fry cracklings out of chicken skin and also be used at the right time, for example, in egg salad or filling pies with mushrooms.
Boiled mushrooms(fresh or dried), fried in vegetable oil with onions, for several days they are used in salads, stewed potatoes, zrazy, soup, cabbage soup.
I keep the broth from these mushrooms in the refrigerator for no more than two days. I use it to cook soup or sour cream sauce(with fried onions, maybe carrots) for pasta and rice. Mushroom broth can be added to stewed potatoes or in a vegetable stew with fresh cabbage. And cracklings go wonderfully there too.
I cook cereals in two or three portions. I cook the pearl barley in water with salt, setting aside some of it; I add sugar, butter, milk, and more salt to taste to the saucepan, boil over low heat, if possible, put it in the oven to simmer - the milk soup is ready. The remaining pearl barley the next day, heating it in a frying pan with fried onions, serve as a side dish for the second dish, and use the next portion from the refrigerator in a pickle or mushroom soup. Similarly, rice cooked without fat is used for several days - for porridge, pilaf, cabbage rolls, kharcho soup, etc. I boil the rice with only salt (boil three glasses of water, add salt, add a glass of rice, turn the heat to low, cover with a lid, leave for 10 minutes, then turn off; do not open for another 10-12 minutes).
I use cooked beans in salads (with fried carrots and onions; with garlic; With raw onions; with cracklings; with fried ham and onions; with boiled or smoked fish), in vinaigrette, borscht, rassolnik, mushroom and just bean soups.
Boiled in salt water cabbage leaves, in addition to cabbage rolls, are used for “cabbage in sour cream”, “envelopes” and “envelopes with fish”, as well as in crushed form - in lazy cabbage rolls, hodgepodge, fish stew.
All these and other semi-finished products without additional heat treatment, for example, in salads, are used only on the day of preparation, and on subsequent occasions - after boiling or frying.
SEMI-FINISHED PRODUCTS HELP YOU COOK QUICKLY
The presence of several types of highly prepared semi-finished products in the refrigerator made it possible to quickly prepare complex dishes. So, I get a full-fledged mushroom soup in 20 minutes by boiling potatoes over high heat in water with salt and onions, adding concentrated broth with meat, fried onions and carrots, boiled pearl barley, fried mushrooms, mushroom broth, sour cream, boil, then hold on low heat, bringing to taste and adding dried herbs.
Not entirely correct, but “quick” pilaf is made in a few minutes by frying semi-finished products from the refrigerator in a deep frying pan in vegetable oil: boiled meat, which needs to be peppered, add a spoonful of sugar, a pinch of cumin, if you like, a handful of raisins into the boiling oil, add fried carrots and onions from the refrigerator, add garlic, stir, pour in any sauce, even if it’s your own, containing tomato, bring everything to boil, mix with boiled rice, reduce heat; if there is not enough liquid (butter and sauce) at the bottom, add a couple of tablespoons of broth or water and cover with a lid; bring to a boil, turn off.
BLANKS - A GOOD HELP
I also have preparations that I actively use: adjika made from tomatoes, hot and sweet peppers, garlic, pickled cucumbers - a semi-finished product for pickle sauce (some, which turned out empty, were grated on a beet grater, placed in half-liter jars, sterilized and rolled tin lids), borscht dressings(summer - one from sorrel, the other from a mixture of sorrel, Chinese cabbage salad, chard, green onions, dill, spinach, and autumn - from beets, carrots, beans, zucchini, cabbage, onions, cauliflower, red and brown tomatoes, beet tops and parsley; By the way, all the ingredients of the autumn dressing are given in the order of their boiling in vegetable oil and the released juice before putting into sterilized half-liter jars and rolling). All these preparations are made without vinegar (they contain preservatives - cucumber pickle, oxalic acid and tomatoes), therefore, perfectly combined with fresh potato broth, meat broth, sour cream, they allow you to prepare a first course rich in taste in a matter of minutes.
For broths, especially fish and chicken, I dry a “broom” of dill “umbrellas” in the summer. Both the dry stems and the “umbrellas” themselves give the soup a very pleasant taste. A mixture of dill seeds, caraway seeds, black and a little allspice peas, dried a little in a dry frying pan (preferably cast iron), grind them in a coffee grinder (then you need to wipe it thoroughly with a soft dry cloth) and use it in stews of chicken, fish, fried vegetables - cauliflower, green beans, regular beans and etc.
LONG LIVE THE DOUGH!
When friends often began to come to the children, pies, donuts, buns, brushwood, pancakes and other dough products came to my rescue. Therefore, I began to make the dough, both fresh and yeast, in large portions, leaving half of it in the refrigerator overnight, which made it possible to modify the products the next day, satiating the family and children’s company. For example, the dough for dumplings could be used the next day for ears with berries, pasties, handkerchiefs with fish, brushwood; thin yeast pancake dough, adding flour to the whites, adding baking to the roll with sweet fillings (for example, crushed lemon with sugar /I also make this preparation for future use/ and pieces of nuts). And the pancakes, given that they are fried before serving, were filled with meat, cottage cheese, or apples (I bake at least 20-30 thin pancakes from one batch). Tomorrow I’ll make pies from half of the dough for pancakes, and also half with meat, fish filling or cabbage, and the other half with sweets. As a rule, the dough, after spending the night in the refrigerator, with swollen gluten, is no better or worse on the second day, it is just different, not so light, but more interesting. Mix a raw egg into the unused part of the dough for cheesecakes (you can add flour), and form lazy dumplings, or you can make them from cheesecake dough without adding anything, but with an additional egg they are lighter and not so gummy. Lazy dumplings removed from boiling water with a slotted spoon are seasoned butter and sprinkle powdered sugar(to obtain it, grind a couple of tablespoons of granulated sugar in a coffee grinder). Such dumplings are tasty when cooled down within a few hours, while those seasoned with sour cream or unseasoned lose their quality quickly.
But if you have time, make everything fresh!
CAST IRON COOKWARE SAVES TIME
Another lifesaver for me was the quick preparation of main courses in a cast iron enamel pan(goose pan) over high heat, including without water, in hot vegetable oil. It quickly cooks pieces of meat, poultry, fish, vegetables, and porridge. Either continuously stirring, then lowering the heat and covering with a lid, in a few minutes I brought the dish to the desired condition and ran off to work, while the thick-walled cast-iron pan finished cooking the food.
IN THE FREEZER - ALL IN SERVINGS
The third help is when in the freezer the semi-finished products are already put into packages with a volume of one serving (for your number of eaters, for one frying pan or pan): beef and pork, cut into goulash, chopped chops; fish and liver - in pieces, minced meat is seasoned, for individual dishes pieces of meat, fish are already seasoned raw egg, even the kebab is marinated. Then in the evening you can transfer the bag from the freezer onto a plate in the refrigerator (on the balcony, on the windowsill, or directly on the sink, if it’s not hot), and the next day directly (or through breading) into a frying pan or saucepan, without cutting, beating, or seasoning. It happened, however, that I got beef entrecotes, and in the morning it turned out that there was actually a liver in this bag. No problem, it cooks even faster. And one more reason, besides the time consumption: semi-finished products are prepared after “shopping”, when no one is sleeping, but would you try beating meat at 6-7 in the morning!
The same goes for other products. You cannot put unwashed vegetables and berries with tails in the freezer; everything should be ready to use: black Eyed Peas- cut into pieces that will fit in a spoon, Bell pepper– deseeded and sliced or prepared for stuffing, cauliflower disassembled into inflorescences.
IT'S FASTER TO HEAT FOOD THAN COOK
The freezer is also good for freezing prepared food. When I went on a business trip for several days, I left in the freezer a stack of plates packed in plastic bags (with cutlets, fried fish, chicken liver, stewed chicken, cabbage rolls). All that was left was to heat them up in the microwave. If you have uneaten kebabs, cutlets, Fried fish or etc., and you have time and ingredients to prepare food for today, remove finished goods in the freezer: when you have neither time nor food, warm it up as soon as you find it.
IN THE OVEN – TWO-THREE DISHES AT A TIME
If you turn on the oven for some dish, for example, baking meat, chicken, use it at the same time to prepare other dishes, say, bake porridge, bake sandwiches, make pizza, shortcakes, simply dry crackers or roast seeds. Even if you have vanilla on one sheet cottage cheese casserole, and on the other there is fish, the smells do not penetrate into the other dish (but there is an original mixture of aromas outside).
I'M NOT AT HOME, BUT THE PROCESS IS GOING ON
In addition to the above, you can force the products to “cook” in your absence: knead and leave the yeast dough (if you can’t do it earlier than three hours, feel free to put it in the refrigerator; the yeast will work, although slowly), soak the peas, beans , dried mushrooms and dried fruits, soak buds, tripes, peeled radishes, pickle semi-finished products, etc. Other products can be left before leaving (or overnight) by just boiling a little in salt water (cereals, legumes, broths); subsequently, it will take much less time to bring them to readiness than with continuous cooking.
I'M BUSY AND COOKING IS GOING ON
And also use the time when you are at home, although you are busy with other things, to cook beets, broth, beans or other “long-lasting” products, boil cabbage and rice for cabbage rolls, etc.
WHAT ELSE CAN YOU COOK?
When preparing semi-finished products for a dish, think about why you can simultaneously make another product from these raw materials: firstly, it saves time, and secondly, it adds variety to the menu. For example, before turning all the available meat or fish into minced meat, see if you can set aside individual pieces for goulash or frying; chop them and put them in the freezer, spin the rest.
When you have free time, cook in advance, then - as it turns out.
I prepare dry cake layers in advance, which can be quickly soaked in warm custard, and sour cream or condensed milk cream with butter - the evening before guests arrive, so that the cake is soaked. Also, a few days before the holiday, birthdays, I bake shortbread (not too sweet) baskets - you can serve salad, pate, fruit with ice cream or cream in them, boiled condensed milk with dried fruits soaked in alcohol, nuts, soft cheese And custard and so on. You can make blanks from choux pastry - both for cakes and for baskets with salads.
A few days before the celebration, you can prepare labor-intensive dishes, for example, stuffed fish, chicken, chicken skin, and send them to the freezer in the form of raw semi-finished products, and on the eve of the celebration, when there is a lot of hassle without them, simply defrost them and send them to boil, bake, fry.
WHY KITCHEN COMES FIRST
The kitchen has become a priority for me over the years, because no one comes home asking to admire a well-tidy room or a clean window, but everyone wants to eat.
Have such products in stock so that household members will not be left on an empty stomach if there is no opportunity to do shopping and cooking, and from which you can quickly make food for those who arrive without warning.
From the book by Evgenia Efimova “How to escape from the kitchen without leaving your family hungry”
Sasha: | February 9th, 2019 | 2:12 dp
Of course, there aren’t enough fruits - that’s all I need for a week, and the salad isn’t exactly made from fresh vegetables. For the rest, well done! Will my husband and children wait 10 minutes? Funny question of course :)
Answer: Sasha, thanks for the comment! You can buy as much fruit as you need;)
Anna: | February 3rd, 2019 | 8:44 am
Anyone who is planning to starve to death from such a menu should urgently read Chekhov’s story “The Stupid Frenchman” and draw conclusions. There are only 3 pages.
Answer: Anna, thank you!
Irina: | January 8th, 2019 | 8:48 am
Daria, thank you very much for your work! The site itself is pleasant and conveniently designed, and I found so many useful tips for myself! All the best!
Answer: Irina and thank you!
Elena: | December 12th, 2018 | 1:18 pm
Now in 2018, food prices are different... Perhaps for a family with small children, this menu is relevant, but when there are grown men, it is unlikely that they will remain full for a long time with such a set of products.
Answer: Elena, of course the price is different now. Even in regions the prices are different;). But still, the menu is designed with savings in mind. I agree that people eat differently, some eat less, some eat more. Even different men have different ways ;). Therefore, the concept of portion is relative.
Evelina: | October 6th, 2018 | 6:00 pm
Hello, Dasha. Can you advise what can replace chicken soup? We've already eaten it to tears))))
Answer: Evelina, you can try these soups
Or in this catalog, many recipes fall into the economical category, look at the soups section, find one to suit your taste.
Olga: | August 21st, 2018 | 3:52 pm
Creating a menu for the week saves both time and money. Very convenient. My only request, as an experienced person who knows a lot, is to come up with a menu for people with diabetes. I have to cook for my family and separately for myself, a diabetic.
Answer: Olga, thanks for the comment! I may be an experienced person;), but I don’t have any special education that gives me the right to create a menu for medical reasons, so I have such responsibility
I won't take it upon myself. Here we have one menu for diabetics, compiled under the guidance of a doctor. I hope it helps you.
Marina: | June 23rd, 2018 | 8:16 pm
I liked the menu. Can I have a list of products?
Answer: Marina, below is the subscription form, subscribe and the list will be sent to your email. Or write to .
Anatoly: | May 30th, 2018 | 12:39 pm
Thank you! Useful information and expertly presented!
Answer: Anatoly, thanks for the comment!
Irina: | April 26th, 2018 | 9:08 am
Great menu! Thanks for your hard work. Can I please, full list send purchases by mail. Thank you in advance!
Answer: Irina, thank you! I sent the list.
Svetlana: | April 20th, 2018 | 2:33 pm
Thanks a lot. I'll get started right away!))). Could you send me a list of groceries for the week by email?
Answer: Svetlana, thanks for the comment! I sent the list.
Ekaterina: | February 21st, 2018 | 4:54 pm
3000 per week, that’s 12,000 per month, if you immediately buy food for this amount, then you can eat for the whole month varied menu and at the same time not economical, but quite chic.
The recipes themselves are not bad, there is something to borrow from.
Answer: Ekaterina, thanks for the comment!
Anna: | January 23rd, 2018 | 10:54 am
Thank you, I diversified my menu, took note of a few things
Answer: Anna, thanks for the comment!
Antonina: | December 12th, 2017 | 8:05 am
I was looking for a menu where I could use as little meat as possible... But I can’t imagine a lunch consisting of only soup!.. It will probably take a long time to get used to....
Answer: Antonina, you can add salad, vegetable or cereal dish at lunch. And also use this sample Lenten menu
Or vegetarian
Maria: | September 6th, 2017 | 3:20 pm
I have just started cooking according to this menu. but so far I even like it :) I don’t know why, but fish meatballs They turned out with a slight bitter aftertaste (maybe the fish was old, it was pollock...) next time I’ll try a different fish. but the meatballs are soft, although I don’t like fish ones, these satisfied me :)) Thanks Dasha! You are great! I watched your preparations live on IG, you are smart!
Answer: And thank you for your comment! The fish could be either old or improperly stored. Enjoy your meal!
Ekaterina: | August 7th, 2017 | 2:21 pm
Well, I don’t know, but what exactly don’t you like? Nobody FORCES you to cook exactly as it is written. This is a kind of framework that does not have to be followed, in addition, it is also completely free))) If there is not enough, add, no one bothers, adjust for your health. So thanks for the menu. Personally, I used it, but with changes in some dishes according to the amount of food and replacing a couple of dishes for our family. Plus we bought more fruits and vegetables.
Answer: Ekaterina, thank you for your support :)
Veronica: | June 29th, 2017 | 4:47 dp
The amount in the Khabarovsk Territory will be three times more (
Answer: Veronica, unfortunately, yes - prices are different in different cities...
Tanyusha: | June 2nd, 2017 | 8:33 pm
I support the idea of a menu for the week in advance and a grocery list. I'm not talking about money, I'm talking about time. I’m tired of buying something more every day, and this without a clear knowledge of the final dish. And then drag all this + three children and a stroller. and spend another hour searching on the internet for what to cook. Otherwise, I’ll stock up in advance, order by phone and everything will be delivered. No, well, I have to try. It will work. I have been looking for a specific weekly menu and grocery list for a long time. Thank you! And if you're hungry for a menu, come to the restaurant.
Answer: Tanyusha, thank you for your comment and kind words!
Ksenia: | June 1st, 2017 | 5:59 pm
It’s an excellent menu, but it’s just a bit much in total - our food is very expensive, but I spend much less and make sure to cook meat every day (the biggest glutton won’t forgive me for its absence))). Once a month we buy long-lasting products - cereals, tea, flour, canned food, a carton of milk (my daughter is 1.4, so it takes a lot of milk), we spend about 3000 rubles on this. Then I buy meat, chicken, minced meat, heart, liver - I take what I have at the moment - it costs about 2500 rubles. And fruits and vegetables are about 1000-1500 rubles. Over the course of a month I buy more bread and milk, which also costs about 1000 rubles. leaves. Total 7000-7500r. and this is for a month. Either our prices are not so high, or I save so much))))
Our menu is similar, only I usually prepare breakfast and dinner, which is then served as lunch. There are much fewer soups on the menu; after all, you can’t really feed a family with them, and you can cook so many things that it’s somehow a pity to feed your goblets with soups alone). I can add that freezing helps to save money without harming your health - it’s just right for working people, on the weekends I make a lot of different semi-finished products - dumplings, various dumplings, cabbage rolls, poses, khinkali, stuffed peppers, stuffed zucchini - you need 2 kg of minced meat, filling for dumplings and vegetables, it all takes about two hours. Then I prepare snacks - stuffed pancakes with cottage cheese and meat + rice, cheesecakes, several different pies from raw yeast dough (took it out, defrosted it and baked it in 20 minutes), more various baked goods until the freezer runs out. The baked goods can be stored for a couple of weeks without harm, but all you have to do for breakfast is take it out and heat it up. By the way, I also freeze vegetables; it’s easier to cut carrots and put them in the freezer than to buy them every week; of course, they won’t be suitable for salads, but for pilaf, frying, etc. just right. You could say that the contents of the freezer save me all month.
Now we need to finalize our menu and yours will fit just right as a basis! Thanks for your work)
Answer: Ksenia, thank you for your experience! Yes, you spend your food budget very economically!
Krealeksa: | May 23rd, 2017 | 2:42 dp
Wonderful site!! I want to go to work after the birth of the child. So, I’m thinking about how to break away from the stove. There are solutions, and you have provided them to us all in a very accessible form. Although I read a lot in the comments about “yesterday’s food” and about “eating soup for the second time this day”? And she laughed heartily. A lot here depends on upbringing, my mother raised us like this: the family was large, my mother cooked for several days at a time. If someone said that they wouldn’t eat it, my mother didn’t mind; if you don’t want to eat, it means you’re not hungry. This is how problems were solved.
Secondly, creating a menu is a wonderful opportunity to spend interesting time with the whole family and communicate. This is very cool! Especially when children understand that their parents need their help, that they make decisions with their parents on equal terms.
Answer: Krealeksa, thank you for your comment and your experience!
Ira: | December 6th, 2016 | 1:25 pm
Thank you. To save in winter, I do a lot fruits and vegetables froze.
Answer: Irina, yes, summer frosts really help save money in winter;)
Natalya: | February 26th, 2016 | 9:13 am
Dasha, for some reason I can’t get an economical menu for the week, I’ve already tried several times.
Answer: Natalya, an economical menu for the week has been published on the website. If you would like to receive a shopping list for the economical menu, please write to me by email
Katya: | February 1st, 2016 | 6:45 pm
I really liked the idea of creating a menu and planning out shopping for the week. And the menu is delicious and varied. But the question has arisen: where is the bread? Thanks for your hard work.
Answer: Katya, I bake bread in a bread machine.
Gulmira: | January 19th, 2016 | 10:10 am
Thank you Dasha, I took something into my piggy bank, but our breakfast is cottage cheese, in addition to porridge. omelettes, sandwiches and sour cream
Tatiana: | January 19th, 2016 | 7:48 am
I experienced housewife, I cook a lot of delicious food, I try to save money. But on Daria’s website I found a lot of useful information, especially on freezing - cooking food for future use is my thing, and I make a lot of semi-finished products.
Oksana: | January 16th, 2016 | 12:17 pm
I agree with those who consider such a menu to be something on the verge of hunger...
One soup without meat for lunch... Suitable for young ladies who are losing weight, but to feed a man... and children...
Mine, for example, don’t eat yesterday’s food at all.
Valentina: | January 16th, 2016 | 2:23 dp
Dasha, thank you for your site and articles! It's always a good idea to remind yourself to be smart about your food spending. But I am on the side of those whose family cannot live on such a menu. When I was growing up, the three of us lived - me, my mother and my grandmother. We could eat this amount for two weeks. And living with my husband and seven-year-old son, if I cook a kilogram of meat for dinner, it’s a stretch to leave something for my husband to take with him for lunch. And this comes with soups and side dishes. And for a child to have something to take to school with him for lunch is generally an unrealistic event. (We don’t live in Russia and the children all bring their own lunch to school and they have 30 minutes to eat.) But thanks anyway, useful site.
Ksenia: | December 15th, 2015 | 1:41 pm
Does lunch only consist of soup? very little(
Answer: Ksenia, my family has enough for lunch. You can add a salad or appetizer to your lunch, for example. You might find this section useful
Elena: | November 5th, 2015 | 5:59 dp
Thank you very much, very much good menu. We have a family of 4 people - 2 adults and 2 children. Our menu is approximately the same as here (the set of dishes varies, but the essence is the same), only there is more fruit. We always eat like this, no one dies of hunger. Everyone is full and happy!
Lily: | October 13th, 2015 | 1:50 dp
Thank you. We rarely buy meat. Chicken in all our meat dishes. Just right for our seven and our incomes.
Anastasia: | July 14th, 2015 | 1:50 pm
Thank you very much! We only recently formed a young family, we had very little money and most of it was spent on groceries, in addition to all this, we had a headache about what to cook. Now there are no problems with this and we can still save a little money, in general, an excellent menu and website, to all the housewives on a note!
Anastasia: | April 2nd, 2015 | 3:52 pm
Thank you I have been looking for such information for a long time. I constantly buy groceries randomly. And I understand that more money is being spent than necessary. I started putting together a menu based on your recommendation and now my head doesn’t hurt what to cook today.
Anonymous: | January 25th, 2015 | 5:38 pm
Good evening. What about drinks? After all, these are also costs.
Answer: Yes, drinks are not included. The most economical thing is water, homemade fruit drinks from berries frozen for the winter and compotes - from prepared dried fruits or canned ones.
Marina: | January 23rd, 2015 | 5:11 pm
It seems to me that dinner is hearty, but lunch is not very filling. Where is the logic? After all, as I understand it, you should eat normally in the morning and at lunch, and lightly for dinner? Or did I miss something?
Answer: Marina, we have dinner early, around 5-6 pm. And for us, a hearty dinner is logical. But there may be another situation when everyone gathers at home only late in the evening. This menu is just one of the options. You can carry the salad over for lunch. Or leave only a salad for dinner and move the hot dish to lunch. Focus on your family's needs.
Svetlana: | December 17th, 2014 | 8:03 am
Very interesting, I’ll take note, thank you. Everything is simple and delicious.
Olya: | September 16th, 2014 | 9:12 pm
Thank you very much!! I wrote everything down and took an example! I live alone, but at the moment I need to save on food, but still eat healthy food– I took everything into account! Wonderfully painted!!! Peace and love to your family!!
Answer: Olya, thank you very much for your kind words! I'm very glad that you liked the menu :)
Ray: | May 21st, 2013 | 2:54 dp
Anonymous: | May 21st, 2013 | 2:53 dp
Thank you very much! I really liked it.
Caroline: | May 16th, 2013 | 7:10 am
Very good recipes, and most importantly I’ll learn to save money))) Thank you very much, I’ll use it with pleasure!
Christina: | April 29th, 2013 | 12:04 pm
DASHA)!!! Your menu is just a find) thank you so much!!! since I have a young family, I am 20 years old, and my husband is 33 years old, and we have two children, a girl is 10 months old, and a boy is 2 and 9. My husband has not been a bachelor for two years now and does not eat sausage with sticks and bread. Soups, porridge, and so on appeared. I don’t have to say what a young family is like (the wife is on maternity leave, and the husband works every day and weekends too. I’m at home with the children - every single day I’m racking my brains about what to feed and what to cook - it’s just terrible. GOING TO THE HUSBAND AND ASKING AGAIN WHAT SHOULD I COOK TODAY? ?? - WE'RE FIGHTING AGAIN ((so I'm trying to come up with ideas myself, but there's a lot of stuff on the Internet (all possible recipes, but when you read their ingredients, you understand that there's not enough money even for the base of the dish, not to mention the taste and beauty) but I want something and the children ate, and the husband ate. Today I found your site quite by accident, and I am simply delighted, you have made life easier for many families who cannot afford something, not because they are low-income, but maybe because they have some kind of purchases or debts for each reason. your own (but for everyone they are significant) but you saved many young families; most families, both officially registered and civilly, are falling apart precisely because there is no money to eat tasty and satisfying food and from what is even in the kitchen, both in the refrigerator and on the bedside tables, it is impossible to have anything Some come up with it out of ignorance and lack of experience, while others simply don’t want to bother. And your website is built precisely on the basis of an ECONOMICAL MENU FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY, from the youngest to the oldest.
YOU CAN WITH FULL CONFIDENCE AND PRIDE CALL YOURSELF A HOMEKEEPER (and this is your most important contribution to your family.) And just don’t pay attention to all the comments of people who throw mud at you, not only that they have never lived 200 UAH for 2 or even For 3 weeks they will never understand the romance and value of such things as care, respect and understanding. As they say, you can’t put a scarf over someone else’s mouth. It's unpleasant. but... Behind your back there are more than one hundred families (where both a man and a woman stand at the stove) who are incredibly grateful to you, and thousands more of whom you don’t even know about. All the best to you. Do not lose optimism under any circumstances and harmony in your family hearth!! God help you!
Answer: Christina, thank you very much!
Diana: | December 1st, 2012 | 11:48 pm
I support this menu too. everything is very correct and economical. I also stay at home with my child on maternity leave. My husband only has dinner with us. I love soups, and my baby loves everything, but I won’t give him cutlets yet. still small)) but everything is super.
Katya: | November 18th, 2012 | 9:17 am
I'm the same hot dish 2 times a day. And we love borscht so much that we eat borscht soup next to the dish that we prepared for the evening. the menu is amazing! I'm speeding up the harness
Victoria: | November 8th, 2012 | 2:01 pm
The menu is not even bad, it’s clear that you still need to make it personal, taking into account the tastes and habits of the family (for example, we absolutely do not eat radishes). I don’t see much of a problem with soups twice a day. For example, my husband has soup for breakfast, because... at lunchtime he does not have the opportunity to have lunch, not just a first meal, but generally something adequate - only a snack. But a salad as a side dish won’t suit my husband for dinner, but to be honest, I don’t see the problem that everyone is so indignant about. Cooking a portion of pasta for your husband costs very little material and will add satiety to the meal)))
Vyacheslav: | October 25th, 2012 | 11:21 pm
I liked everything. All that remains is to somehow implement it, that is, to convince my wife to adopt it, otherwise I’m pretty fed up with the eternal moaning about cooking.
Lelka: | October 1st, 2012 | 1:30 pm
how evil everyone is, if you don’t like it, don’t use it. if you have more money to spend on food, go for it! but everyone spends a lot of time thinking about it – purchasing and cooking. Thank you, Dasha, for the implementation and example of the system itself. Today I finally and irrevocably decided to implement it in my household organization!
Julia: | July 14th, 2012 | 5:23 pm
In my opinion, food should please both the eye and the body! And there are so few joys in life, so you still have to mock food like that. I cook for my family (husband and son) in the morning, at lunch and in the evening. It's not hard for me!
Answer: I am very happy for you, Julia, and your family!
Katama: | June 28th, 2012 | 12:52 pm
I bow to your thriftiness, thoughtfulness and clarity of thought)) It was necessary to develop such a system!
I want to learn everything at once, I’ve already made a list of what I can cook – and a test menu for the week. Let's see how it goes.
This particular menu would suit me. In my opinion, there is quite a sufficient amount of food and variety.
Violetta: | June 15th, 2012 | 1:14 pm
I would have remained hungry. Yes, I swallowed it :) and you’re great, how I wish I could spend little on food, but to be full and it would be delicious:((yes
Answer: Then welcome to the site. Here in the “saving money” section there are a lot of tips and ideas on how to save wisely without compromising your health and taste.
Ekaterina: | June 6th, 2012 | 9:03 pm
The site is interesting, the menu is thought out, thank you.
True, I have a small remark. Economy menu This, apparently, is not for every time. That is, if you need to get by with money, then go ahead, but it’s still not worth it forever. Not enough fruit, not enough meat.
We also observe fasting. True, for religious reasons. A month and a half without meat... just think... With full milk and daily fish. And the child’s hemoglobin fell below normal. After a month of our usual diet, it returned to normal...
We have a large family - 8 people, and yet, for everyone to eat meat every day, except for fasting days, you need 3 kg and chicken 1.5 - 2 kg. I cook meat in a slow cooker and therefore the “active cooking” time is about 15 minutes. price, fresh and boneless meat I manage to buy rubles for 600 rubles. So this is for 8 people!!! So, if for 3 people, then we can safely say that 200 rubles of meat can buy a week for a small family. Let there be food not for 25, but for 30 S per month, but with meat. (Of course, we never eat any sausages.)
But these are just my thoughts, otherwise the site is great!!
Answer: thank you, Ekaterina! Yes, if you are not lazy, choose the right products and cook everything yourself, then food can be very economical. Even $30 a month is very little.
By the way, if you fast for religious reasons, the Church allows children not to fast (as well as sick, pregnant and lactating women). Although you most likely already know this :)
Oksana: | May 24th, 2012 | 1:05 pm
Super website! I am very glad that I found you! As for the menu, I’ll say that we sometimes spend even less for a family of 3 people when money is really tight. But we hardly have a varied menu. We switch from buckwheat to pasta and fried cutlets for a week in which there is more bread than meat (And the menu as you described is simple festive table! I learned a lot for myself and added your site to my notes. I will use the economical menu, this is just for us. It’s really varied and doesn’t get boring, otherwise sometimes I don’t know what to cook so that it’s inexpensive and something new. Thanks for the ideas!!!
Answer: Yes, if the goal was simply an economical menu, then you could spend even less. But I tried to make it varied, it contains meat, fruits, and vegetables. Almost a feast :)
Roman: | May 22nd, 2012 | 3:29 pm
When I read this menu, I also thought that the week would be a fast week (not in terms of speed, but in terms of volume), but no, it’s quite enough, the moral is that you can’t come up with a beautiful moral, there’s nothing to say in a nutshell until you try it.
The experiment is being carried out in the heroic city of Minsk. But this does not affect the purity of the experiment.
Answer: There is no question about the purity of the experiment, but very much about the prices. Your total purchase price turned out to be more than my calculations. But, most likely, the products should remain. Thanks for the experiment. And then, after reading the comments, I began to suspect that we feed on air and should soon die of hunger :)
Roman: | May 21st, 2012 | 2:42 pm
I decided to start getting acquainted with the method of weekly menu planning. Yesterday (Sunday) I bought everything according to the list (it came out to the amount of 325,000 rubles = 40 $)
Day one (Monday).
And Roman had a saucepan, and he took it out and put it on the fire, poured in the buckwheat and said: Let there be porridge, and it became porridge. And he looked at the porridge and saw that the porridge was not good and he could have added a little less water (but overall nothing))))).
The story with the pies ended with scooping out the filling and throwing away the dry dough.
Ooooh, the afternoon snack turned out just right, it was just impossible to spoil anything.
Lunch, for some reason it turned out to be puree soup)))))
For the two of us, my wife and I had leftovers for dinner: buckwheat porridge, pies’ entrails and pureed pasta soup (enough for another 3 days). So we'll leave the cutlets for another time.
I will improve with your help. The one who does nothing makes no mistakes.
Although, of course, you can, like some visitors to your site, criticize and go fry some eggs, or go to McDuck. God bless you with health and family happiness.
Answer: Hello, Roman! I will watch the progress of the experiment with interest. If you have any questions about the recipes, just ask. And I want to ask the question that torments almost everyone who has read such a menu: are you full? Did you feel hungry? Also, in what city is the experiment being conducted?
Svetlana: | May 16th, 2012 | 8:09 pm
thank you very much for good idea to create such a site to save money on food, this is just necessary in our family. Otherwise, too much money goes to waste. The menu is also interesting, I want to use it in my family, my husband also approved it.
Victoria: | April 5th, 2012 | 12:00 pm
What a miracle that I found you! :)) Just a wonderful site!!! Wonderful menu! Super!!! Thank you Daryushka!!!
Olga: | February 24th, 2012 | 7:13 pm
In principle, I’m a little hungry, of course, and will crave candy and other delights. I would wash down the porridge with yogurt, eat the soup with salad, and in between eat bananas, apples, etc. But I’m always pregnant and nursing, probably because of this)
It is not correct to compare mushrooms with chips. Still, it is better not to give mushrooms to small children, this can be fraught with unpleasant consequences (chips and other things should also not be given).
Answer: You see, Olga, my goal in compiling this menu was to choose economical but tasty dishes. I think that I achieved my goal. If I had published this menu on some website dedicated to diets, I would definitely have received a barrage of criticism for the fact that we eat too much, and per day human body need less calories :)
Anna: | February 19th, 2012 | 4:26 pm
Thanks for the wonderful menu! Just right for my family:) Lots of useful finds!
Alena: | February 17th, 2012 | 8:37 am
Super! Practical. Thank you! and those who are indignant, then let them go to restaurants))))
Dara: | February 13th, 2012 | 9:20 am
Views are good. And servings – at least 5 per day. 1 serving is about one not very much Big apple, two carrots, etc., i.e. about 200 grams. Total minimum kilogram of vegetables and fruits per day. Potatoes are not included :)
And also the same WHO recommendations for proteins (for adults) – 0.8-1 g of protein per kg of weight. That is, for a woman weighing 60 kg, this in real products will be approximately 300 grams chicken fillet or 350 g of low-fat cottage cheese. Oddly enough, many people don't...
Answer: yes, there are also vegetarians, ascetics, fasters and just people who do not like meat. It seems to me that if a person is healthy and feels well, then the nutritional system he has chosen suits him, even if he does not fit into the WHO statistical standards.
Lana: | February 13th, 2012 | 8:11 am
Dasha, you have created an extremely useful site! I have four men in my family and your planning tips are just a godsend for me. I’ve read so much about how good it is, but this is the first time I’ve seen a tested live program. Thank you so much!
Answer: Thank you, Lana! I am pleased that my experience can be useful to other housewives. This is a big incentive for me to continue working on the site.
Dara: | February 10th, 2012 | 12:53 pm
And fruits are not included in the amount? Because I only see banana on the menu. There won’t even be enough vegetables to meet the minimum WHO recommendations...
Answer: How much is the minimum WHO recommendation? This day's menu includes vegetables: cabbage, potatoes, carrots, onions, radishes and mushrooms. I think it's six different types vegetables in one day is quite enough and varied.
Kokosik: | February 8th, 2012 | 10:18 am
Dasha, thank you for the recipes and useful tips. I’ll share my experience (or maybe it’s not my know-how) for the sake of economy. For some reason, my soup is prepared for 3 days. Either it’s a mess, or the subconscious is at work. In general, the family eats with pleasure for 2 days, and on the third there is a strike. Therefore, I make puree soup from the leftovers, adding some of the seasonings. And be sure to have crackers or croutons. Goes with a bang, like the first time. No, throw tomatoes at me, I know that dishes must be eaten within 2 hours of preparation, and then it’s horror, horror!!! But the realities of life are...
Answer: Only someone who has never tried to feed more than 2 people for at least a week can throw slippers:) I don’t see anything wrong with soups being prepared for a couple of days (I do this myself). Vitamins can be obtained fresh salads and fruits and vegetables. And soup is food, not medicine. The creamy soup idea is great!
Natalya (other:)):| February 7th, 2012 | 12:18 pm
In my opinion a good menu. Very similar to how our family eats (also 3 people - mom, dad and child). And certainly not “hungry.” It apparently depends on the habits of the family.
Natalya: | February 7th, 2012 | 11:43 am
This is true for our family too. My daughter and I get quite full of soup at lunchtime. I him I cook it thicker, for satiety :)
And my husband won’t refuse a hot plate of something in the evening, especially in winter.
I’ll try to make these cutlets too. I just need to go to my mom’s to pick mushrooms. I also thought that if there are small children in the family and you are afraid to give them mushrooms, then you can take even fewer of them, just a couple of pieces for flavor, and add carrots with sautéed onions to the rice. It seems to me that this will not spoil the taste of the cutlets :)
Answer: I’m not afraid to give mushrooms, since I collect them myself in clean forests, dry them myself and cook them myself :) Not for reasons of economy, it’s just a form of relaxation for me. But your option with an onion can also be. I just don't have a good relationship with onions, so I prefer mushrooms.
Natalya: | February 7th, 2012 | 11:39 am
And I like it too! :)
Is our
Tatiana: | February 7th, 2012 | 10:10 am
I think everything is fine!)
Somehow everyone is hostile, I see...
If you count the calories, it will probably be enough!
The title says “Economy Menu” - what quibbles can there be!
If someone can and wants to eat meat in pieces and a mountain of side dish sprinkled with oil (and in my opinion, a salad - this is great side dish) four times a day – that’s good for your health!
Still, the goal of saving is also pursued here, and not just “to eat from the belly.”
I myself don’t save much on food and can afford not to count every ruble spent on it, but I see here a completely adequate calculation and tips that are useful for many!
Mushrooms... I don’t think that in small quantities they can somehow harm a child, especially if we remember that children for the most part consume a bunch of all sorts of chemicals, such as chips, snacks, it’s unclear what candies, drinks are made from, and the like... mushrooms in compared to this - dietary food)))))
And eat soup/borscht twice a day - no big deal! Here everything depends on the habits in the family and on upbringing - there are very capricious children and husbands)) but this often depends on the woman herself - how much she will allow them to sit on her neck)) But in general - this is a personal matter - you can’t judge here...
Dasha, you are great! ;)
Answer: thanks for support! I am calm about comments like “Your family won’t be able to eat this because ours eats differently.” Everyone has their own approach to nutrition.
Cheslav: | February 7th, 2012 | 10:08 am
Great. Thanks a lot. This menu is just right for our young family.
Answer: thank you too! I usually turn to housewives, but it’s even more pleasant to see a man in our ranks!
Irina: | February 7th, 2012 | 9:30 am
Dasha, excellent menu, I support it. We can also eat soup 2 times a day, and if my husband doesn’t come for lunch, he eats it for dinner. It's all a matter of how you cook it. It looks like what you cook is very tasty and with love :) Now I’m leaving the menu from the nutritionist for the whole family - it’s different from the usual, but little by little both my husband and son are switching to it. Good luck, continue your work, you are doing great!
Answer: thanks for support!
Irina: | February 6th, 2012 | 8:32 pm
A very strange menu, it’s not just saving money, it’s some kind of hunger strike, to be honest...
Eating soup twice a day is something new. I wouldn’t even eat it myself, unless there’s nothing else, but here it seems like everything is thought out in advance. Secondly, for some reason there is only soup for lunch, but there is no second course (meat/fish/chicken + side dish) or salad. For dinner, there is clearly a lack of a normal side dish, because the salad is just an addition, but not a side dish. That is, if a woman is on a diet, then yes, a salad without everything is ideal, but the children and husband are clearly not interested in this.
What a depressing menu you have, sorry.
Answer: We have enough. We eat soup not twice, but once. At lunch – my daughter and I, and my husband for dinner. Since my daughter and I are at home, we can afford to eat four small meals a day. We're completely full. For my husband, due to his work schedule, his main meal is dinner, for which he eats first course, second course and salad. There is no need for a side dish for cutlets that already consist of rice. This is quite enough for me, my husband and my child.
Natalya: | February 6th, 2012 | 5:57 pm
Dasha! I have a few questions for you. For dinner, rice cutlets with mushrooms are designed for three servings (for you, your husband and your daughter), and your daughter is less than three years old. But experts baby food It is not recommended to feed mushrooms to children under three years of age. Secondly, based on my own experience, my family (husband and children) would never eat anything for dinner that was for lunch. And the food should be varied. Is it really possible that your daughter eats soup for the second time in a day? And thirdly, if neither the husband nor the daughter wants soup or cutlets, have they already sat down at the table? You have a freezer full of semi-finished products, but it takes at least 10 minutes to warm them up and defrost them? Will they sit quietly and wait?
Answer: for 8 servings, 50 grams of mushrooms are not even food, but just a seasoning for taste. In addition, these mushrooms have already been boiled and even ground in a blender, so I don’t see any problems for the body, even for children. I just don’t give her mushrooms as food, but in such small quantities it’s possible. In my family, it’s customary to create a menu for the week together, and then not be capricious if they serve what was chosen in advance :) An exception, of course, is made for my daughter: she wants soup, she wants cutlets, but if she doesn’t want it, she may not eat it. Well, I don’t see any problem with waiting 10 minutes for the table to be set. In general, we are coping :)
Savings are good when they significantly reduce family budget expenses without sharply cutting needs.
Of course, nutrition should be complete and balanced. But still, in most families this is the most significant expense item. Therefore, let's try to learn how to save on some of the dinners and main courses. Several dinners a week, some of the main courses for lunch can be with a minimal amount of meat or without it at all. We will save money by “squeezing” meat dishes.
The cost of food is also affected by seasonality. In the fall, and even from your own garden, vegetables will cost literally pennies. And in winter they sometimes cost more than meat.
Economical main courses with a minimum amount of meat
Dishes that are quick to prepare:
Navy pasta. It is enough to boil small pasta until tender, fry a piece of minced meat (about the size of a cutlet or a tablespoon with top) with a large head of onion, salt, pepper, add herbs. Next, stir and heat everything together. Nourishing, tasty dish ready!
Pasta with eggs. The dish is economical due to the smaller quantity chicken eggs, than is usually spent on scrambled eggs. So, for example, for a family of five people it is enough to add three eggs to pasta, for three people - one or two. It is better to choose small pasta: half pasta, cone, small feathers, etc. They mix more uniformly with the egg.
First, fry a large head of onion, break several eggs into it, add salt, and add spices to taste. Then, without removing from the heat, mix thoroughly. Until the chopped eggs and onions are completely fried. Add a portion of pasta and mix. If desired, fry the pasta until crispy. It turns out very tasty, quick and easy!
Boiled vermicelli with sugar and grated cheese . Well, of course, you remember this dish of “Soviet” cooking. Sugar and grated cheese are added to hot boiled vermicelli. And then they savor the melting cheese. It is worth remembering this dish; it is very economical and unusual in taste.
Dishes in pots Almost everyone loves it. But you don't have to put them in big piece meat. You can “dilute” it with fried onions and cheese.
Pancakes/pancakes thick ones made with kefir - very economical, especially if we are faced with the task of “saving” unfinished kefir. Serve with homemade jam, sour cream, a piece of chocolate, honey - depending on what is available and more budget-friendly.
Pizza everyone loves it and perfectly combines the products that are in the refrigerator. It will become much cheaper if you use frozen products (a cut piece of cheese, sausage, ham, which was “stashed away” upon purchase and removed without allowing it to be “swept away” all at once - it will wait its time in the freezer) and homemade preserves (sauces, ketchups , dressings, canned vegetables).
Dishes that take a long time to prepare:
Homemade pies with yeast dough and economical filling: apples with sugar, with cabbage, with rice and eggs, with rice and a piece of minced meat, eggs, potatoes.
Casserole potato, pasta, vegetable - economical dish, allowing you to serve hackneyed combinations of products in new form. Inside the casserole we put sausages cut in half, some minced meat, chicken with spices.
Baked vegetables with fish or chicken. To save money, we use seasonal vegetables as much as possible and purchase inexpensive fish or chicken.
Baked mackerel in foil (in a regular oven it will take about 2 hours to completely bake) or boiled mackerel (then we use broth for the fish soup) will cost a reasonable amount. We serve it with any side dish.
Zucchini rings with onions and carrots - a tasty but time-consuming dish to prepare. It is very economical.
Cabbage solyanka. For delicious hodgepodge it takes time, because vegetables, onions and carrots, need to be fried in separate pans.
Open and closed pies with cabbage, cabbage pizza - affordable dish for dinner.
Fried eggplants - a delicious dish, especially economical during the season.
Cottage cheese casserole - healthy and economical due to the addition of flour.
Dishes that can be prepared in advance in your free time:
These dishes are prepared in free time and stored in freezer. Then all that remains is to heat or boil, cut, and season.
Spring rolls. Let's bake thin pancakes and prepare an affordable filling for them:
- from cottage cheese;
- with rice, egg, fried onions;
- cabbage and fried onions;
- a small piece minced meat, fried onions, eggs, rice;
- boiled chicken with fried onions, egg.
Syrniki Can be prepared in advance and frozen until hour X. As a result, we get a full dinner that just needs to be reheated. To save money, add a little more flour.
Vareniki with cottage cheese, potatoes and other economical fillings, you can also stick it with the whole family in your free time. It's very economical. We use them in moments of severe time pressure.
Pizza can be very quick, because it stores well in the freezer. For convenience, we make mini-pizzas and freeze them, wrapped in film. Then you just need to warm it up. Pizza is more economical after major holidays, when the ingredients for it are left over from a lavish table.
Many salads can be prepared in advance:
- You can prepare it the day before herring under a fur coat - a very budget salad.
- Vegetables for Olivier and vinaigrette Boil in advance, all that remains is to cut and season.
- Boiled grated beets with garlic - cooks instantly if the vegetable is boiled in advance. Season with sour cream and serve with bread.
- A budget option salad with beans : add boiled grated eggs, fried onions and garlic, season with sour cream or mayonnaise - a tasty and satisfying dish. It is worth boiling the beans in advance.
What budget-friendly main courses do you prepare?
Photo - photobank Lori
If you want to save money on food, here is a review of the 10 most inexpensive dishes. Believe me in choosing a concept affordable food there are a number of positive aspects. In particular, leading a moderate lifestyle can be very beneficial. In other words, it is better to eat simple, uncomplicated and affordable food than to constantly buy fast food.
So, here are ten recipes for delicious, inexpensive and healthy dishes.
1. Macaroni and cheese
Anyone can prepare this dish, and it will not require significant expenses.
You will need 1 box of “shells” or “spirals”. Usually 450 gr. You can buy such pasta for 50-70 rubles. Next, you will need a piece of cheese, such as cheddar, for baking (your choice). It is best to buy store-brand products, as they taste just as good as well-known brands, but are cheaper. Most likely, 300 grams of such cheese will cost you from 100 to 150 rubles. You will also need about a quarter cup of milk.
Boil the pasta until tender and drain it in a colander. Don't rinse them cold water. If you think this is necessary, then if possible, use hot water. Then put the pasta back into the pan and add some cheese, cut into cubes about 2x2 cm in size. Stir until the cheese completely melts (the mixture will be thick and somewhat difficult to stir).
Place the pasta pan over medium heat and slowly pour in the milk to create a thick consistency. cream sauce. This simple recipe will allow you to prepare enough food to feed a family of 5-6 people. Leftovers can be stored in sandwich bags (press the air out) or in airtight food containers in the freezer.
Such food can always be used the next day, especially if you supplement it with some meat ingredient or vegetables. Simply remove the pasta container from the freezer ahead of time. When you are sure they are completely thawed, sprinkle a little water on top and microwave for 1 minute (maybe a little more depending on the power of the appliance). You can serve pasta with e.g. canned tuna. But do not refreeze the dish!
2. Tortilla pizza
To make the pizza, you will need a package of corn tortillas, a jar of pizza sauce, some grated cheese and anything as a filling to your taste (to save money, you can get by with just cheese).
Preheat the oven to 150 degrees. Place 1 to 3 tortillas (depending on size) on one baking sheet. Using a spoon, carefully spread the sauce, not reaching 0.5 cm from the edge of the flatbread. Sprinkle grated cheese on top. Place any topping of your choice directly onto the cheese. And place in the preheated oven for 5 minutes.
When the pizza is browned, take it out and sprinkle with some herbs. Transfer to a plate. Cut into portions and serve immediately after cooking, hot. Bon appetit!
3. Stir-fry ramen noodles
You will need 1-2 packs of noodles instant cooking ramen, ½ to 1 packet vegetable mixture and meat suitable for serving with noodles ( chicken breasts, veal, etc.).
Cut the meat into small pieces. Heat a small amount of oil in a large saucepan, or kettle if you have one, and brown the meat. Boil the noodles for two minutes. Then remove the meat from the heat and place it on a paper towel to remove excess fat.
Add vegetables and spices to the pan to taste. Add some liquid (water, broth, cream, etc. will do). Continue to simmer the mixture for some time, stirring constantly. Then put the cooked noodles and meat there. The taste is wonderful! Cheap and cheerful, as they say!
4. Beef with rice
For this easy-to-prepare dish you will need 450 gr. ground beef, 2 cups rice, 1 package trail mix onion soup, 4 cups of water, and a little mushroom seasoning.
Fry the minced meat until excess moisture evaporates. Add all the other ingredients one by one, mix everything and bring to a boil. When the mixture comes to a boil, cover and simmer over low heat, stirring, for about 20 minutes. When the rice is ready, remove from heat. Serve to the table!
5. Hamburger Helper Casserole
Don't rush out and buy a package of Hamburger Helper meat. Instead, you can make a casserole from following ingredients: 450 gr. minced beef (or any other meat you want to use), 1 tbsp. spoons of butter, chopped garlic clove, onion, 1 bouillon cube (with mushroom or chicken flavor), 0.5 cups of water, a bag of egg noodles or rice, salt and pepper.
First, heat the oil and fry the onion and garlic. Add the meat and fry it. Excess fat must be drained. Then add broth, water, salt and pepper, mix thoroughly and simmer. Remove from heat. Serve with boiled rice or noodles. All! Delicious casserole ready!
6. Taco Salad
To prepare this hearty snack you will need: Ground beef- 1 pound, 1 packet taco seasoning, ½ bunch lettuce, 1 large tomato, 1 cup chopped green onions, a couple cups shredded cheese, sour cream and 1 package nacho chips.
Fry the ground beef until golden brown and drain off any excess fat. Distribute the seasoning evenly over the surface of the meat layer. Let cool slightly and transfer the minced meat to a large bowl. Tear the lettuce leaves into small pieces as you prefer and add to the dish. Cut the tomato into slices and place in a bowl. Add green onions and grated cheese. Mix everything thoroughly.
The salad can be served with a mound of nacho chips and a dollop of sour cream on top.
7. Lasagna with egg noodles
This dish does not belong to the category of those about which we talk “quickly”: it is cooked for a long time over low heat. But its taste is impeccable! Shall we try? Actually, lasagna is a traditional Italian dish consisting of several layers different fillings and covered in sauce. It is easy to prepare, and its recipes are so varied that by changing one filling for another, you can get new tastes every time. But let's get started.
You will need about 7-8 servings of egg noodles, 3 tbsp. spoons of butter, approximately 2 kg of minced beef, spaghetti sauce, 200 grams of diced cheese and 3 cups of grated mozzarella.
Cook noodles according to package directions and rinse. Then add butter to it and mix everything thoroughly. Fry the beef in a saucepan and drain off excess fat. Pour ¼ of the sauce into a separate bowl and heat it over low heat. Then put a third of the noodles in the same container, then a third of the beef, then the remaining sauce again. Finally, add 1/3 of the two cheese mixture. Repeat this two more times (you should run out of all the products).
After you finish adding the ingredients, cover the container with them and simmer for low heat approximately 4-5 hours. When finished, sprinkle any herbs on top. This dish can decorate any table and delight your guests!
8. Plain Pizza
If you want to quickly prepare high-quality and delicious pizza By affordable price, then this recipe is for you.
To do this you need to take 450 grams. minced beef, 400 gr. pizza sauce, 100 gr. mushrooms (to taste), pepperoni (a type of salami), 1 tablespoon oregano, 1 teaspoon garlic salt, 2 servings of spiral pasta. It is also good to add ⅔ cup of milk and 2 cups of grated mozzarella cheese.
So, heat the oven to 180 degrees. Brown the ground beef in a pan and remove excess fat. Add mushrooms, oregano, salt and garlic to pizza sauce. Bring the resulting mixture to a boil. In a separate bowl, mix boiled pasta with milk. From the pan, place a layer of half of the cooked mixture into a baking dish. meat sauce, macaroni with milk and cheese. Repeat with remaining parts.
Finally, cover the pan with foil or a lid and bake for 25-30 minutes. Cool slightly, then cut into pieces and eat the pizza hot. Bon appetit!
9. Chicken noodle soup
This type of soup is present in almost every cuisine in the world. And it is distinguished not only by its speed of preparation, but also by its beneficial properties.
For this simple soup you will need 3 to 6 chicken breasts (depending on how many people you want to feed), egg noodles, 1 chopped onion, 2 coarsely grated carrots, 1 can green peas, any seasonings you prefer. If possible, stock up on 7 bouillon cubes.
Boil the breasts in a large saucepan (make sure the water completely covers them). When they are ready, do not throw out the water. Remove the breasts from the water and cut into pieces. Add onions, carrots, peas, chicken broth, noodles, chopped chicken breasts and seasonings. Cook until the noodles are completely cooked. Now you can enjoy this delicious soup!
10. Potato casserole with meat
You will need chopped meat, potatoes, corn or beans. So, fry the meat. Potatoes need to be boiled and mashed. Place all the ingredients in layers on the bottom of the baking dish: corn or beans, and then the meat. Spread mashed potatoes on top. Bake in the oven at 150 degrees for about 20 minutes. Can be served with sour cream. Help yourself!
Bonus. Monkey bread
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees. Break the cookies into quarters and mix them with brown sugar. Melt the butter and cinnamon in a small saucepan. Place half of the cookies in a bowl. Pour half of the prepared butter mixture on top. Place remaining cookies and top with remaining mixture.
Bake in the oven for 30-40 minutes. Then remove the pan from the oven, let cool, and then carefully remove the bread, sprinkling with preheated cinnamon butter. Dessert is ready!
In the preparation of all these dishes, you, of course, can experiment according to your taste and add ingredients of your own choice and desire. Then you will be able to create something truly and original. The main thing is not to be afraid and be confident in your abilities!
