Smoked Mackerel and New Potato Salad

Lunch Option: Smoked Mackerel and New Potato Salad

This light lunch is perfect to pack and take out on the go. Great for any hard working students who want a change from library sandwiches! Smoked Mackerel is also a fairly cheap option to go with and requires no cooking, you simply tear it up over the salad. The dressing is either light mayonnaise or low fat creme fraiche (depending on preference), meaning you get a nice creamy dressing without the calories.

Things you'll need:

Makes 4 lunches

• 1 x Pack of Mackerel Fish (I bought everyday value here)
• 1 x Pack of New Potatoes
• 4 x Tbsp Low Fat Creme Fraiche
• Handful Green Salad Leaves (per portion)
• Chopped Chives (Optional)
• Cracked Black Pepper (Optional)

Price overall: £4.91/£5.17

Per Serving: £1.23/£2.03

Cooking Instructions:

1. Half/Quarter the New Potatoes and boil for 15 minutes until tender. Then drain.
2. Meanwhile, mix the Creme Fraiche with the Chives and Black Pepper (Optional) and flake the Mackerel* into pieces, mixing half with the dressing along with the drained Potatoes.
3. Place the Green Salad Leaves on the bottom of the plate, then the dressing mixture and finally the leftover Mackerel on top. Add more Black Pepper is you would like!

* I suggest you use one Mackerel fish per portion (comes in a pack of 4)

It's that simple. An easy, affordable lunch that doesn't take too long to make. Can also be made the night before and kept in the fridge if necessary. Perfect to take out or eat at home!

Mexican Turkey Nachos

Mexican Turkey Nachos

Another Turkey dish, leaving you satisfied without that bloated feeling. As I've said before, Turkey meat is much leaner than red meat with less saturated fat - so it's well worth trying out! This recipe is technically low carb as it only has kidney beans and a few tortilla chips! You can also easily overspend on this sort of meal if you buy the branded products you're used to - I've substituted them for Everyday Value alternatives to keep it cheap! Easy Peasy Mexican food suitable for one or many (if you fancy cooking for housemates.)

Things you'll need:

Serves 4

• 500g Turkey Mince
• 1 x Taco Mix
• 1 x Pepper
• 1 x Red Onion
• 1 x Can Red Kidney Beans
• 1 x Can Chopped Tomatoes
• Handful Tortilla Chips
• Half pack of Mushrooms (Optional)
• 4 x Celery Stalks (Optional)
• 1 x Small Chilli (Optional)
• Sprinkle of Grated Cheese (Optional)

I had extra vegetables left over in the fridge so added those to pack in my 5-a-day! But it's completely up to you what you want to add.

Price Overall: £5.65/£6.80 (Including Optional Items)

Per Serving: £1.41/£1.70 (Including Optional Items)

Cooking Instructions:

Pre-heat Oven to 180 Degrees.

1. Fry the chopped Onion in some oil in a large saucepan for 2 minutes. Then add the Turkey Mince and break up as it browns (NOTE: Ensure you stab away at it - otherwise it will clump together. It's a bit of a workout but well worth it.)
2. Add the Taco Mix to the browned Turkey Mince with 100ml of water and bring to the boil. Boil for 1 minutes so it reduces a little, then take off the heat.
3. Meanwhile, in a separate pan (see picture) fry all the Vegetables until soft. Then add your Turkey, Onions, Red Kidney Beans, Chopped Tomatoes and Chilli (Optional). Simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens. 
4. Then transfer to an Oven-proof dish and scatter Tortilla Chips on top with a little Grated Cheese (Optional) and heat in the Oven for 3 minutes until Cheese has melted. Serve with Salad!

There you have it. One of my cheapest meat dishes to date! Packed full of veggies and low carb as well, all under £2 a portion. Remember this recipe makes 4 portions which can easily be frozen - just defrost, heat up and crisp in the oven! 

Beef Stroganoff

I've altered this usually high-in-fat meal to a lighter AND cheaper version. Taken from the Philidelphia website (here), this recipe is tasty, quick and easy. And each ingredient has a cheap supermarket alternative in both full fat and light options, so perfect for students!

Things you'll need:

Serves 2

• 2 x Beef Steak*
• 1 x Onion
• 1 x Baby Mushrooms Pack
• 75g Light Soft Cheese
• Splash of Milk
• Tbsp Dijon Mustard (Optional)
• Brown Rice (Optional)
• Mixed Vegetables (Optional)**

*I use Tesco stir-fry beef (here) 

** Mixed Vegetables are cheaper bought in the frozen packs (here)

I replaced the refined white carbs with brown rice, but this can be served with mash or chips too!

Price total: £5.28

Per serving: £2.64

(Excluding optional items)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Fry the chopped Onion in and large frying pan until soft, then remove from pan.
2. Fry the sliced Beef until brown, then add the Mushrooms until the juices run out of both. Then return the Onions to the pan.
3. Add the Splash of Milk and allow the mixture to reduce a little.
4. Stir in the Light Soft Cheese and Mustard (Optional).
5. Serve with accompaniments of your choice

Another reasonably priced, easy peasy recipe suitable for students! You can also freeze a portion of the Stroganoff for another time if you are only feeding one. And this recipe fits with lots of different accompaniments, catering for all tastes and preferences.

Easy Peasy Red Thai Curry

Red Thai Curry

I've always been a huge fan of curry, but it's not always the healthiest of options. This is mainly due to the Coconut Milk you use - I ensure to use Half fat Coconut Cream to cut down on the unnecessary saturated fat! If, like my local supermarket, you can't purchase it, just order online through Amazon (here). It honestly tastes exactly the same and means you can enjoy a guilt-free curry. I also use brown rice instead of the refined white rice. Complex carbohydrates are your friends, get to know them and replace your white alternative!!

Things you'll need:

Serves 2

• 2 x Chicken Breast
• Half pack of Green Beans 
• 1 x Onion
• 1 x Garlic Clove
• 150g Brown Rice
• 1 x tbsp Red Thai Curry Paste
• 1 x Half Fat Coconut Milk Can
• 150ml Chicken Stock
• 1 x Red Chilli (Optional)
• Half a Lime (Optional)

Total Price: £1.50/£1.80

Per Serving: 75p/90p

Approx, based on Tesco prices

Cooking Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a large frying pan and fry the sliced Onion, Garlic and Chicken breast until golden brown.
2. Add the Curry Paste, Chilli, Chicken Stock and Coconut Milk and bring to the boil. Then simmer for 20-25mins until chicken is cooked through and sauce has reduced.
3. Add the Green Beans and cook for a further 5 minutes. Serve with rice and lime!

Based on a Tesco recipe here with a few healthier twists and student cut backs - this recipe means anyone can enjoy the classic Red Thai Curry!