Feeding a family of 4 for under £5 is doable… The fact that two of them are teenage boys and that it ticks the many nutritional boxes now required of us (as good parents !) makes it positively incredulous.
There is comfort to be sought in getting to that hour of the day ( when you find yourself standing guard over your kitchen cupboards !) that you have something already in the can – or more accurately the slow cooker ( or failing that, a low oven ). This is know to any mother of a teenager ( boys I gather being far worse than girls – I’m twice blessed !). There is no end to which they “can fill their boots” as those boots are bottomless.
In the following recipe I use my James Martin slow cooker ( about £35 – so a worthwhile investment and unlike the many kitchen gadgets and gizmos we buy , one your going to use !) though there are many others out there .
Turkey tagine ( serves 4 )
1 turkey drumstick ( it may come as a surprise that 1 will produce so much meat for the average price of £2 !)
1 onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1″ piece of ginger, chopped
2 tablespoons of flour
1 teaspoon of turmeric
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 pint chicken stock
1 can chickpeas, drained
Whatever veg you have in your fridge drawer that can survive a long cooking time, ie carrot, sweet potato, turnip, parsnip, celeriac… Cut in largish chunks.
Method
Firstly, put your slow cooker on high. Pop the drumstick in ( make sure it fits ! Don’t panic though as if it doesn’t just chop a bit off the knuckle end with a sharp knife )
In a frying pan on medium heat, fry your onions, once softened add garlic, ginger, the spices and flour. Add your stock and simply pour into your slow cooker over your turkey drumstick .
Add your chickpeas and chopped veg of choice. Lid on – done ! Leave for 6-7 hrs.
Take the drumstick out and remove any bones. Then put the meat back in the slow cooker.
I usually get this started before the school run ( if I’ve had the sense to chop the veg the night before – say whilst guarding said kitchen from marauding teens !) or at least before noon.
Serve with cous cous and a sprinkling of coriander.
This freezes well so don’t forget to portion leftovers for another night when you’ve lost the will ! Or indeed to provide a second dinner for a bottomless pit (otherwise known as your teenager)- yes they are capable of more than one dinner!
Eat Cake And Party 