Cooking for a large family on a budget
Family time is usually also known as eating time. When you have a large family, this can often leave you feeling stressed about what to serve for supper.
You’ll have to think about the number of people you have to cook for, your budget and consider cooking something that will stretch. After all, there always those who want seconds. Cooking for a large family on a small budget is not impossible. In fact, it can be one of the easiest things ever done!
Prepare for left overs
When you head off to the grocery store, ensure that you have enough ingredients, and also look at buying some of the items in bulk – especially those you know you going to make use of a couple of times. Chopping up fresh vegetables can take forever, but if you chop up enough to leave some left over to freeze, the amount of time to cook your next meal will go much faster.
Buy cheap, eat well
Vegetables like apples, potatoes and corn are produce that will stretch your Rand. Adding these types of produce to your cooking are generally very inexpensive, especially when bought in season and in bulk. Making soups and salads are healthy options, as well as easy on the pocket. The soup can be frozen and taken out to defrost. Soup is not the only cheap dish, but there are a number of dishes out there like pasta dishes, rice meals, chilli and a variety of chicken dishes that can be cooked in your cast iron pots. Tell yourself to stay away from the pre-packaged foods, by sticking to the outer rims your supermarket.
Tips to always apply
- Always try to use fresh items whenever possible to avoid tinned goods.
- Don’t try to be extravagant, keep your meals simple, in variation and nutritious.
- Make use of food storage items that were bought in bulk and mixed in with fresh produce.
- When preparing one-dish meals, add vegetables on the side or a salad to round off the meal.
- Involve your children in meal preparation to save you time and energy.
The faster your cooking time is, the more time you have to spend with loved ones. What we serve our family is a direct indication of the love we have for them. A healthy family is a thriving family – no matter the size.