We're thinking thrifty – simple sourdough, tastier-than-takeaway pizza and family-friendly fare – with 17 ways to save the cash and make your own incredible stash.
1. Start with the basics
Sick of trendy cafes charging $5 for a slither of soy and linseed? It's time to bake your own! This uses beer and vinegar for the starter; and mixes plain flour with rye or .
2. Butter up your budget
We can’t blame you for thinking is another culinary con, but believe us guys, the homemade stuff is delicious and dirt cheap! Try 's Enjoy it slathered on the aforementioned , stirred through or served atop . It's so simple, it'll become a household staple.
3. Stick to the cheap cuts
, , and ; the toughest cuts of meat become the most tender when treated loving care. So slow-roast your , braise that , and serve .
4. Find some instant gratification
Step up the game from your basic packet varieties, and experiment with , like vermicelli and soba, to hokkien and egg. For a big bowl of parsimonious pleasure, try our .
5. Think cost-per-use
Long ingredient lists might seem like a deterrent if you’re cutting down expenses, but when it comes to curries, a little spice goes a long way. Buy the basics and you’re set for many an amazing meal, such as this from .
6. Head your own soup kitchen
Swap big-spending bistros, for your comfortable kitchen and cook French classics at home. ’s is not only cost effective; it’s a cinch to make. Remember to play smart: if you don’t have sherry on hand, substitute with brandy, cognac or even dry vermouth.
7. Get your veg on
We love feel-good frugality in the form of . Healthy, gluten-free and quick to make; it’s a recipe of box-ticking brilliance.
Source: Benito Martin
8. Save some dough, make your own
sounds super pricey, but try it at la casa and you’ll save a bucket load. With its blue-black hue and briny flavour, the ink is added to pastas and risottos along Italy’s coastline, from Venice down to Calabria.
9. Trade in take-out
The pros of takeaway pizza are pretty obvious: it’s easy, appetising and not absurdly expensive. So why DIY? It’s a) fun to make; b) off-the-hook tasty; and c) super cheap. Oh and you won’t get Tama Carey’s from any old pizza joint.
Sapphire potato, stracchino, rosemary and vincotto pizza Source: Benito Martin
10. Cook from scratch
If falls into your ‘hardly ever’ shopping basket, we say, ‘take on the cheese beast at home!’ This recipe from Trevor Hart of requires a bit of skill, but the result is well worth it.
Homemade haloumi Source: SBS Food
11. Give peasantry a shot
, or , is a traditional peasant dish from the Castilla-Leon region of Spain. This version from features only a few ingredients, but packs an absolute punch. It’s also a cold weather combatant, so you’ll save on cough syrup too.
Source: Alan Benson
12. You can handle it
No knead to worry when this is involved. Easy to handle for any home cook and all you need to do is let your dough get some rest then think about what kind of toppings you'd like - it's that easy.
No-knead pizza Source: Benito Martin
13. Don't be bitter
Stinginess making you sour? Sweeten up with this simple from . The batter is based on kitchen staples – flour, sugar, milk and butter – plus three Granny Smiths. It's cheap, cheerful and divine with tea!
14. Don't be jelly just eat it
Simple and fun, these in their shell are the perfect garden party treat. Scooping handheld jellies has never been easier and they save on the washing up too!
Passionfruit jellies in their shell Source: Benito Martin
15. Creamy crowd-pleasers made with ease
Yoghurt, ricotta and honey give this its signature moistness. Pantry staples of eggs, flour and butter give you the base for an epic teatime treat and one that keeps for several days in an airtight container as well - great for the office, just saying...
Chefs are going beyond banana cake when it comes to producing waste-minimising sweets. Source: Robert Palmer Photography
16. More than pot luck
We're sure there isn’t a single person on the planet who doesn’t love breaking through the lightest of cake crusts into a warm,. This is one of those faithful emergency recipes - it's super-easy, quick enough to execute (bakes in 8 minutes, people!) and can wow a dinner party, just like that.
Source: Poh & Co.
17. Because caramel
Sugar, cream and salt - that's what it takes to have this hot-to-trot sweet drizzle at your fingertips and on standby, ready to top your vanilla ice-cream, your cake, pudding or simply your fruit salad.
For more economical eats, check out our recipe collection.
Source: Hardie Grant
