Inspired by Tom Hunt’s article, How to eat like a chef for less than £20 a week, I ventured out to the lively North End Road market to see what bargains I can find:
Despite my son getting his motorbike stolen by yobs in the market (London is becoming increasingly lawless), I was pleasantly surprised to find a whole array for fruits and vegetables on offer, even exotic ones. This place is such a cultural melting pot – it feels as if the world had arrived at the outer fringes of Fulham:
I bought:
- Rhubarb £1.50 for 1 kg
- Strawberries £2 for a large punnet
- Raspberries £1 for a small punnet
- Blackcurrants £1 for a small punnet
- Red peppers £1 for 4
- Large Aubergines £1 for 3
- Button mushrooms £1 per bag
- Red onions £1 per large bag
- Avocados £1 for 4
- Rocket leaves £2 for a very large bag
- Spinach £2 for a very large bag
- Garlic £1 for a bag
I popped into the supermarket:
- to buy Brie (on offer) for £1
- a loaf of seeded loaf 65p
- one tin of chopped tomatoes 50p
- Beetroot 60p
Total cost of shopping: £17.25.
Challenge: to feed four adults with big appetites who are spoilt when it comes to food (i.e. steak and truffle mash are common fare).
This is what I rustled up:
Breakfast:
Oat porridge with berries (and some stewed rhubarb for that extra kick)
Lunch:
Brie and rocket sandwich with a large salad bowl
Dinner:
Aubergine and pepper stuffed with garlic mushrooms, onions and aubergine on a bed of creamed spinach.
Dessert:
Stewed rhubarb with leftover strawberries.
Verdict: “Yummy, but not everyday please, Mum!!!!”
So we are back to this (great book, by the way, my all-time favourite, it beats Delia and Nigella hands-down)… but it’s expensive to cook from this book of family favourites.
Conclusion:
I’m still a long way off from being as accomplished as Tom Hunt when it comes to budget cooking 🙂 So here’s my challenge to you: what is the minimum you can spend for a day of healthy and yummy menu for ravenous, growing folks?
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