admin It’s the last month of the year, and the last meal plan for 2020. This month you should go through your pantry/fridge/freezer (if you have not done this already) and check out for any food that is about to expire. Anything that is about to expire should be included in December’s meal plan, so you start 2021 afresh.
This month apart from the meal plan that you can download for FREE, I am including also the cost of some meals to show you that if you plan your meals intelligently you can save money on your grocery budget and still eat delicious food…so continue reading.
TACO SOUP SERVES 6 COST EUR10 approx or EUR1.68 per person
Ingredients
- 500gr lean ground beef
- 1 tbsp oil for sauteing
- 1 small onion diced
- 1/2 red bell pepper
- 1/2 green pepper
- 450gr beans drained (red kidney beans or pinto beans)
- 1 cup corn
- 1 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- 3 garlic cloves
- 2 cups beef broth
TACO SEASONING
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground paprika
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 tsp oregano
Cost
- Eur 4.38 (based on Eur8.75 per kg – fresh ground beef)
- You should have this in your pantry
- Eur0.24c (red onion @ Eur1.20 per kg)
- Eur0.45c (1 whole red pepper is Eur0.89c)
- Eur0.25c (1 whole green pepper is Eur0.50c)
- Eur1.83 (Mayor Red kidney beans 150gr x3 or for cheaper version use the Happy Chef Red Kidney beans 400gr @Eur0.88c)
- Eur0.81 (3 Leave sweet corn 340gr)
- Eur0.63c (local tomatoes @Eur1.25 per 500grs)
- Eur0.25c (A pack of garlic costs Eur2.00 and has 4 whole garlic)
- Eur0.16c (Knorr cubes low salt x 6 cubes is Eur1.00)
If you have items in pantry can use them or else buy ready made Taco Seasoning such as the Taco Fiesta seasoning @Eur1.08
Prices above are approximate and based on the websites of Mgarr Farms (for vegetables) and Dave’s Food Store for other groceries. To the Taco Soup you can add Avocado or Shredded cheese or some Nachos however have not been included in the cost.
SALISBURY STEAK W/GRAVY SERVES 4 COST LESS THAN EUR10
Ingredients
Patties
- 1 lb Lean Ground Beef
- 1/3 cup Bread Crumbs
- 2 tsp Ketchup
- 1 tsp Mustard
- 1 tsp Worcestershire
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
Gravy
- 2 packets Brown Gravy Mix
- 2 cup hot Water
- 1 tsp Ketchup
- 1/2 tsp Worcestershire
Cost
- Eur 4.38 (based on Eur8.75 per kg – fresh ground beef)
The rest of the ingredients you should have in your pantry. If you don’t the cost is difficult to calculate as you can use the groceries for other recipes.
You can serve the with mashed potatoes. A kg of potatoes costs Eur0.80c
PASTA E CECI SERVES 2 COST LESS THAN EUR10
Ingredients
- 350gr chickpeas, drained (or dry chickpeas soaked overnight)
- 2/3 cup short pasta
- 3 cups low sodium vegetable broth
- 1/2 carrot finely chopped
- 1/2 onion finely chopped
- 1/2 celery stick finely chopped
- 1 sprig rosemary
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (plus some for serving)
- salt and freshly ground pepper
- Parmesan cheese (optional)
Cost
Eur2.00 (Lamb brand dry chickpeas Eur 1 for a 200gr pack)
Eur0.84 for 500gr of Barilla Conchigliette no39
The rest of the items you should have in your pantry.
The above recipes mostly use herbs and condiments to flavor the food. Items that can be used multiple times for different recipes (and that be difficult to cost per recipe). They are comforting food and that all the family will enjoy. You should prepare meals that all the family likes. If you prepare something different for a family member (unless due to health conditions), it means you are doubling the cost of your groceries.
On social media many asked about our Christmas lunch menu for 2020. Unlike other years, it will be just us 4 (my husband, the kids and myself). However, will still prepare something special (and as per our tradition), and which the kids will love too. For the time being I am not doing a starter but might change my mind at the last minute.
Until the next meal plan, stay safe.
Love,
Strugglingmum xxx
