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Bean and Tomato Broth no. 2 – potato (34p)

Jan14

A simple variation on the 9th January posting, Back to Jack – Bean and Tomato Broth. (Actually found I’d mispriced that, it was 34p a serving, not the 80p+ I originally posted.) I’ve decided not to include the cost of the accompanying cup of tea or coffee in future postings, just the straight meal price as a single serving, but still including the cooking, washing-up and any other incidental costs.

This version uses the insides of large baked potato instead of the bread, and the stock dissolved in just half a mug of water. The potato can be baked in the microwave – jab it all over with a fork or make a deep cut all around to let the steam out as the potato is cooking – takes 10 minutes or so. I need to experiment with different methods to see what times and methods work best.

  • Tin of beans.
  • Tin of tomatoes.
  • Herb seasoning.
  • Juice of half a lemon.
  • Half a mug of vegetable stock.
  • The insides of one baked potato – could actually include the skin, I just prefer it without.

As before, just simmer everything together for a few minutes. I liked this version better, tastier, although I think that would depend on the quality of the bread used in the other.

The result is a straighforward broth – I like to leave mine very lumpy, but it could be whizzed up or the ingredients well-mashed to make it more soupy. Could also use packet mashed potato. 34p a serving.

Back to Jack – Bean and Tomato Broth (34p)

Jan9

Taking up the cheap cooking challenge again. My goal is nutritious food for £2.50 a day or less, including cooking and washing-up costs.

This one is a close copy of a Jack Monroe recipe, although I can’t find the actual web page I copied it from. Simple, tasty, 100% veggie and low salt – about 1g per serving.

Ingredients:

  • Tin of beans – kidney beans, any sort of beans really, even baked beans.
  • Tin of tomatoes – chopped or plum.
  • Herb seasoning.
  • Fresh lemon juice – I don’t use processed juices to avoid additives.
  • Mug of vegetable stock.
  • Two slices of bread, well broken-up.

Really simple to prepare – everything simmered for a good few minutes, then add the bread, mashing everything up a bit with the end of a rolling pin. Three servings. Along with cooking and cleaning up costs, 34p a portion. Freezable.

Another time I might try this with a microwave-baked potato instead of bread and no stock (to remove the added salt and sugar).