Between the new school shoes, the endless lists of stationery, and that long stretch until payday, ‘Janu-worry’ is in full swing. When it comes to meals, and the budget is, of course, tight, we tend to reach for the basics. However, ‘basic’ doesn’t have to mean boring.
Here are two easy, budget-friendly recipes to help you stretch your Emalangeni until the end of the month without sacrificing flavour.
Spiced potato cakes
If you have leftover mash from last night, do not throw it away. These little cakes are a fantastic lunchbox filler for the pupils or a quick dinner.
Ingredients
- 2 cups of cold mashed potato,
- Half a finely chopped onion
- Teaspoon of curry powder
- One egg to bind
- little flour
Method
1. Mix the mash, onion, and spices in a bowl.
2. Crack the egg and mix well. If it feels too wet, add a tablespoon of flour.
3. Shape into small patties and dust lightly with flour.
4. Fry in a little bit of oil until they are crispy and brown on both sides. Serve with a dollop of chutney.
Potato and chickpea curry
Ingredients
- 3 large potatoes (cubed),
- 1 tin of chickpeas (drained),
- 4 to 5 medium fresh tomatoes,
- 1 onion
- 2 tablespoons of curry powder.
Method
1. Sauté your chopped onion in a little oil until golden. Add your curry powder and stir for a minute to release the aromas.
2. Grate your fresh tomatoes (discard the skins) and add them to the pot with a splash of water to create a sauce.
3. Toss in your cubed potatoes and add enough water to just cover them.
4. Simmer on low heat with the lid on until the potatoes are soft and the sauce has thickened.
5. Stir in the drained chickpeas at the end to heat through. Serve over a big portion of rice or with fresh white bread to soak up the gravy.
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