Collection of Quick and Easy Budget Recipes

When we stretch our money to meet all needs, we tend to cut on our food expenses. This is alright--as long as we do not cut on the nutrients and taste, too. With just a little creativity, the frugal meal that we cook could turn into nutritious and delicious gourmet food. And with a little effort on shopping, we can still save more from our food budget.

You'll Need:

• 200 grams medium shrimps, shelled
• 1 can tomato sauce (200 grams)
• 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon white sugar
• 200 grams fresh fish fillet (salmon or tuna chunks)
• 1/8 teaspoon fine salt
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
• 2 tablespoon softened butter
• 1 medium carrot, sliced
• 2 tablespoon Chinese black beans, coarsely mashed
• 1 cup button mushrooms, sliced
• 1/2 cup water
• 50 grams Chinese green beans, cut into 1-inch length
• 1 medium red bell pepper, cut into long strips

HOW:

1. Sprinkle salt, pepper, and sugar on shrimps. Drizzle tomato sauce on top. Marinate for 10 minutes, then remove shrimps. Reserve marinade.
2. Rub salt on fish fillets. Fry on hot oil until light brown. Remove from oil and set aside.
3. In a saucepan over medium heat, sauté garlic in butter until golden. Add onion, ginger, and shrimps. Stir in carrots, black beans, mushroom, and marinade. Simmer for 3 minutes.
4. Add water and let boil for 10 minutes. Stir occasionally.
5. Add green beans, bell pepper, and fish. Simmer for 5 minutes. Serve hot.

You'll Need:

• 1/4 kilogram ground chicken meat
• 150 grams sausage, coarsely chopped
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce
• 1 whole egg, lightly beaten
• 1 small carrot, grated
• 2 slices loaf bread, shredded
• 1/4 cup raisins

HOW:

1. Put together all ingredients in a bowl. Season with salt and ground pepper. Mix thoroughly.
2. Measure 1 cup of chicken mixture. Shape into a long roll and wrap in aluminum foil sheet.
3. Steam for 1 hour. Cool completely and chill. Slice and serve with chili-sweet ketchup.

You'll Need:

• 1/4 kilogram hotdog, cut in diagonal slices
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 can tomato sauce (200 grams)
• 1/2 cup whole corn kernels
• 100 grams green beans, sliced

HOW:

1. Sauté onion and hotdog in small amount of vegetable oil.
2. Stir in tomato sauce. Sprinkle salt, pepper and sugar to taste. Simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Add 1/4 cup water. Stir in corn and green beans. Simmer until vegetables are tender.

You'll Need:

• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1/4 cup mushroom, sliced
• 1 can spaghetti meat sauce (365 grams)
• 1 block firm tofu, cubed and fried
• 1 medium red bell pepper, seeded and cubed

HOW:

1. Sauté garlic, onion and mushroom in small amount of vegetable oil. Add spaghetti meat sauce. Simmer for 3 minutes.
2. Add 1/4 cup water, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper, and sugar to taste. Simmer for 5 minutes.
3. Stir in tofu and bell pepper cubes. Simmer for another 3 minutes. Serve as toppings on hot rice.

You'll Need:

• 600 grams pork chops (6 slices)
• 1 tablespoon softened butter
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 can spaghetti sauce (250 grams)
• 1/3 cup cream of corn
• 3/4 cup pea pods

Marinade:

• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/3 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/3 teaspoon cayenne powder, or to taste
• 2 teaspoon soy sauce

HOW:

1. Mix all ingredients for marinade and rub to all sides of pork chops. Let stand for 30 minutes.
2. Heat butter on non-stick pan. Fry pork chops over medium-low heat. Cook until light brown. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. In a saucepan, sauté onion in small amount of vegetable oil. Add spaghetti sauce, corn and 1/4 cup water. Simmer for 3 minutes.
4. Stir in pork chops. Cover saucepan and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in pea pods. Simmer for 1 minute. Serve hot with bread roll or steaming rice.