Cheapest "come dine with me" meal ideas

krisab said:
How about Spaghetti Bol? Simple to do and doesnt cost a lot :)
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this. Such a fantastic meal to make, and so easy :cool:. Make sure you give it the reducing time it needs though to get it really tasty.

If you're looking for starter/dessert, spag bol leaves itself very open. Would suggest something light though, as a red meat sauce can get a little heavy ;)
 
Spanish chicken

3 chicken breasts - dice (1 inch chunks)
chorizo (not entirely necessary) - dice (1cm chunks)
2 peppers (you could roast them but to keep things simple just fry them) - either strips or 1 inch chunks
1 large onion - dice (1cm pieces)
1 clove garlic (optional) - crushed
tomato puree - 1 or 2 tablespoons
oregano - 1 level tsp
smoked paprika (it needs to be the smoked variety) - 1 heaped tsp
1 chicken stock cube (optional)
1 tin tomatoes (plus 1 tsp sugar)
salt and pepper - to taste
olive oil

Start frying the onions and peppers until the onions are soft and sweet (10-15 minutes maybe). Brown the meat in the same pan (the chicken only needs to fry until the outside stops looking pink but it's nice if the chorizo is a bit crispy). Add your spices, seasoning, stock cube, garlic and tomato puree, cook for a couple of minutes then add the tinned tomatoes. Simmer, cover, leave it on a low heat for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. I like to let it simmer for at least an hour, I suppose you could leave it longer.

If you use legs, thighs or breasts with the skin left on then you'll want to cook it until the skin gets brown and crisp.
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someone on here gave me the recipe.
 
Pasta based dish - thats probably your best bet

mozzarella Pasta Penn is really tasty easy and cheap to make serve it with salad and garlic bread if you want. Here is a recipe for 2/3 people.

250g of pasta penne (half a standard packet)
can of chopped toms
olive oil 2 table spoons
ball of mozzarella (don't buy a cheap square block)
basil (half one of those plants in the supermarket)
parmesan


Turn the oven on to 180, gas mark 4/5

Put the pasta on to boil keep an eye on it while your cooking the rest of the dish. when its done drain it - If its done a long time before the source sprinkle a little olive oil on it to stop it sticking together. The pasta should only be just cooked not too sloppy.

Meanwhile put the oil in a pan then the toms and simmer for 5-10 mins. Add the drained diced mozzarella and basil (tear this with fingers don't chop with knife - you'll get more flavour). When the mozzarella starts to go stringy (about 2 mins) add it to the pasta in a baking dish sprinkle some grated parmesan and put it in the oven until the top starts to go brown.
 
I decided I needed to revamp my cooking skills as I'm bored of my current rotation, especially now that winter is drawing in.

I bought 2 of those Hamlyn 200 recipe books which are nice and straight forward. Try some of -=These=- :)
 
Either for starter or main - Thai red curry Mussels

Uncleaned mussels are cheap if you can get them from a fishmonger - though takes a bit of time to scrub off barnacles and sea weed.
Recipe for starter if you want to do as main double quantities

For 4 people use 800g - 1kg mussels
2 Shallots or 1 medium onion finely chopped
1-2 tbsp red thai curry paste (depending on taste)
Can of coconut milk
Half pack fresh basil leaves torn
If you have it - a glass of vermouth else white wine
Plenty of good crusty bread

In a big pot that has a lid heat a couple of tbsp oil over medium heat.
Put the red thai curry paste and shallot/onion and gently fry for a few minutes.
Add the wine/vermouth and put heat up and when it starts to look like boiling add mussels.
Shake the pot - and close lid. Leave for 2-3 minutes shake and open lid to check. If most most are closed then close and leave for another 2 minutes.
Once nearly all are open then add coconut milk stir and taste - you might need to add a touch of salt or fish sauce and a bit of sugar.
Leave for a minute to warm coconut milk.
Add torn basil leaves and serve.
 
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