FoodCycle Breadline Challenge

FoodCycle is brilliant, I have volunteered several times at my local branch cooking a three course lunch for the local community from food which would otherwise go to waste.  There are FoodCycle hubs around the UK and I wholeheartedly encourage you to check them out and help out if you can.   For information on all things FoodCycle, browse their website.

I was asked to compile a Meal Plan to promote the FoodCycle Breadline Challenge 2015 which will entail supporters living off a food budget of £2.86 a day for one week.  The Challenge will run from 16th – 22nd November and is aiming to raise awareness of rising UK food poverty and also raise vital funds for FoodCycle's work across the country.

My budget was £20.02 for 7 days worth of food, I overspent by 7p.  Here's my shopping list:

29 items: £20.09

Packets and Cereals

1x ASDA Smartprice Muesli (1Kg)                                                    £1.18

1x ASDA Good and Balanced Pearl Barley (500g)                             64p

1x Whitworths Granulated Sugar (500g)                                           49p

1x ASDA Smartprice Self Raising Flour (1.5Kg)                                45p

1x ASDA Lemon Juice (250ml)                                                         55p

1x ASDA Smartprice Long Grain Rice (1Kg)                                     40p

1x ASDA Smartprice Pasta Shapes (500g)                                       29p

Frozen

2x ASDA Smartprice Mixed Vegetables (1Kg)                                   £1.54

1x ASDA Cook from Frozen Pollock Portions (368g)                         £1.75

Tins, Jars and Cooking

2x ASDA Chopped Tomatoes with Garlic in Tomato Juice (390g)      80p was 50p

1x ASDA Good and Balanced Black Eye Beans in Water (300g)        40p Buy any 5 FOR £2.00

1x ASDA Good and Balanced Chilli Beans (290g)                              40p Buy any 5 FOR £2.00

1x ASDA Smartprice Dried Mixed Herbs (18g)                                  25p

1x ASDA Smartprice Strawberry Jam (454g)                                    29p

1x ASDA Good and Balanced Green Lentils in Water (400g)              40p Buy any 5 FOR £2.00

1x ASDA Good and Balanced Red Kidney Beans in Water (400g)      40p Buy any 5 FOR £2.00

1x ASDA Chosen by You Vegetable Stock Cubes (12x10g)               75p

2x ASDA Chopped Tomatoes with Chilli and Peppers (390g)             80p was £1.00

1x ASDA Good and Balanced Mixed Bean Salad (290g)                    40p Buy any 5 FOR £2.00

Dairy and Eggs

2x ASDA British Whole Milk 4 Pints (2.27L)                                      £1.78

1x ASDA Butter - Unsalted (250g)                                                    85p

1x ASDA Mixed Weight Free Range Eggs (6)                                   85p

1x Anchor Grated Mature Cheddar (200g)                                         £1.00 was £2.38

Fruit and Vegetables

3 ASDA White Baking Potatoes by Weight (430g)                             86p

7 ASDA Grower's Selection Bananas by Weight (170g)                     69p

300g ASDA White Cabbage by Weight                                             17p

1x ASDA Grower's Selection Carrots (1Kg)                                       49p

1x ASDA Brown Onions (1Kg)                                                          74p

Drinks

1x   ASDA Smartprice Instant Coffee Granules (100g)                      47p

My Meal Plan is as follows:

Breakfast
Muesli, with grated carrot, a banana. and milk

Lunches
Onion Soup with Cheese and Herb Soda Bread x 2
Mixed Vegetable, Herb and Pearl Barley Soup with Cheese and Herb Soda Bread
Pearl Barley and Mixed Vegetables Risotto x 2
Black Eyed Peas Patties with Rice, Cabbage, Carrot Stir Fry
Rice, Chilli Beans and Vegetable Bake

Dinners
Fishcakes with Mixed Vegetables
Mixed Bean and Vegetable Stew with Pasta
Egg Fried Rice with Vegetables
Fish and Chips with Vegetables
Kidney Bean Patties with Vegetables and Champ Mash
Twice Baked Potato with Cheesy Chilli Bean Topping and vegetables
Lentil Bolognese with Pasta

Treats
Flapjacks
Rice Pudding
Oat and Fruit Soda Bread with Jam

Soda Bread

300g/2 cups self raising flour
30g butter
1/2 cup grated mature cheddar cheese (leave out if making sweet version)
1 or 2 tsp dried mixed herbs or a handful of muesli
250ml milk
2 tsp lemon juice

Mix the lemon juice and milk together and leave to stand whilst you grate the cheese and measure out the other ingredients.  Sift the flour into a bowl and rub in the butter. Add the grated cheese, herbs  if you are making a savoury version or muesli if you are making a sweet version.  Add milk then mix until mixture forms a sticky dough.

Knead on a lightly floured board until smooth, don't over knead it or your bread will be heavy. Form into a round loaf then mark into four with the handle of a wooden spoon. Dust with a little flour.

Bake at 180°C for 40 minutes or until golden brown and cooked. Serve warm or cold.

Mixed Bean and Vegetable Stew

Heat one tin of drained mixed beans with one pack of Chopped Tomatoes with Chilli and Peppers and 100g of frozen mixed vegetables, add a pinch of mixed herbs if you want.  Simmer until the vegetables are cooked then serve over 100g of pasta cooked according to packet instructions.

Kidney Bean Patties

1 tin kidney beans
1 carrot, grated
1 onion, grated
1 tsp mixed herbs
1 Tblsp flour

Drain and rinse the kidney beans then add mixed herbs, grated onion and carrot.  Mash together until a lumpy puree mixture forms.  Mix through the flour then form into patties. Chill in the fridge for half an hour to firm up if you have time.  Cook over a moderate heat in a frying pan for 3 - 4 minutes each side. 

Onion Soup

Mixed Vegetable Pearl Barley Risotto

Rice Pudding

600ml whole milk
65g long grain white rice
50g white sugar

In a medium sized, heavy bottomed saucepan combine the milk and rice.  Place saucepan over a fairly high heat and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the rice is tender. This usually takes about 25 minutes. Stir the milk mixture frequently using a heatproof rubber spatula or wooden spoon to stop the rice from sticking to the bottom of the saucepan.

When the rice is tender (al dente) take the saucepan off the heat and sugar to taste.  Return the saucepan to the heat and cook until the rice pudding thickens, this should take about 5 - 10 minutes. Remove from heat and spoon the pudding into a bowl to cool, cover with clingfilm to stop a skin forming. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. To make into a Mullerrice type treat mix in some jam.

What are your favourite budget meals?  Will you be taking part in the Challenge?