Simple affordable meals for all
Our recipes are simple, budget-friendly meal ideas created with everyday families in mind. You don't need to receive one of our hampers to use them — they're free for anyone in our community to enjoy.
Cottage Pie
Ingredients
• 500g beef mince
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced or grated
• 1 cup frozen peas
• Any other vegetables you have on hand, optional
• 1 tbsp gravy powder
• 1 cup water
• 4–5 potatoes
• Small amount of milk and butter for mash, optional
• Salt and pepper to taste
Method
1. Make the mash
Peel and chop the potatoes. Boil until soft, then drain and mash. Add a little milk and butter if you have some.
2. Cook the mince
Cook the mince in a large frying pan until browned.
3. Add the vegetables
Add the onion and carrots and cook for a few minutes. Add the peas and any other vegetables you have.
4. Make the gravy
Mix the gravy powder with 1 cup of water. Pour into the mince mixture and stir well.
5. Simmer
Simmer for 10–15 minutes until the vegetables are tender and the mixture has thickened.
6. Assemble
Spoon the mince mixture into a baking dish and spread the mashed potato evenly over the top.
7. Bake
Bake at 180°C for 20–25 minutes, or until hot and lightly golden on top.
8. Serve
Serve hot and enjoy.
Simple Chicken Curry
Ingredients
• 500g chicken breast, diced
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced or sliced
• 1 tin coconut milk
• 1–2 tbsp curry powder
• Any other vegetables you have on hand, optional
• 1 tbsp oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Rice, to serve
Method
1. Cook the chicken
Heat the oil in a large frying pan. Add the chicken and cook until lightly browned.
2. Add the vegetables
Add the onion and carrots. Cook for a few minutes until they begin to soften.
3. Add the curry powder
Add the curry powder and stir through for about 1 minute.
4. Add the coconut milk
Pour in the coconut milk and stir everything together.
5. Add any extras
If you have any other vegetables you would like to use, add them now.
6. Simmer
Reduce the heat and simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
7. Cook the rice
Cook the rice according to the packet instructions.
8. Serve
Serve the chicken curry over the rice and enjoy.
Simple Devilled Sausages
Ingredients
• 8 sausages
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 tbsp gravy powder
• 1½ cups water
• 1 tsp mixed herbs
• ½ tsp garlic powder, optional
• ½ tsp paprika, optional
• 4–5 potatoes
• Small amount of milk and butter for mash, optional
• Salt and pepper to taste
Method
1. Make the mash Peel and chop the potatoes. Boil until soft, then drain and mash. Add a little milk and butter if you have some.
2. Cook the sausages Cook the sausages in a large frying pan until browned. Leave them whole or cut them into smaller pieces.
3. Add the vegetables Add the onion and carrots and cook for a few minutes until they start to soften.
4. Make the gravy Mix the gravy powder with 1½ cups of water. Stir in the mixed herbs, garlic powder and paprika if using.
5. Add the gravy Pour the gravy mixture over the sausages and vegetables. Stir everything together.
6. Simmer Reduce the heat and simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the carrots are tender and the gravy has thickened.
7. Serve Serve the sausages, vegetables and gravy over the mashed potato.
Mexican Rice & Beans
Ingredients
• 2 cups rice
• 1 tin beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 tin corn, drained
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 2 cups water
• 1 tbsp oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated cheese to serve, optional
Method
1. Cook the onion
Heat the oil in a large frying pan or saucepan. Add the onion and cook for a few minutes until softened.
2. Add the seasoning
Add the taco seasoning and stir through the onion for about 1 minute.
3. Add the rice
Add the rice and stir well to coat it in the seasoning.
4. Add the water
Pour in 2 cups of water and stir everything together.
5. Cook the rice
Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and cover. Simmer until the rice is cooked and the liquid has been absorbed. Add a little extra water during cooking if needed.
6. Add the beans and corn
Stir through the drained beans and corn. Cook for another 5 minutes, or until everything is heated through.
7. Serve
Serve as is, or top with a little grated cheese if you have some.
Tip: You can also add mince, chicken or any extra vegetables you have at home if you'd like to make it go even further.