One expert has reminded families of a 'centuries old tip' which could be a perfect way of cutting cost of meals for meat eaters. It is said to be a budget friendly way to make food go further.
Lorna Cooper runs a Facebook page dedicated to affordable cooking called Feed your family for about £20 a week. One of her latest tips has gone down a storm with followers - and it's all about meat, the Manchester Evening News reports.
With meat often being the most expensive part of a meal, she's been telling people how to bulk out their meals to use less of the stuff. By using items such as lentils, chickpeas, beans, barley and oats, she says, we can make meals more filling with less meat.
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Writing on Facebook, she said: "We often tell people to bulk out meat meals. The reasons for this is that meat is often the most expensive aspect of the meal.
"Another is that we don't actually need the huge portions of meat that many of us enjoy and by reducing the portion we reduce the price. It isn't a new phenomena. Yorkshire puddings are used to fill up people so they eat less meat, same with dumplings and stuffing. Breadcrumbs are used in sausages, meat balls and meat loaf to reduce the meat content. Lentils, chickpeas, beans, barley and oats are used for the same reasons.
"It is a tip that has been used for centuries. If you don't want to do it we won't force you. But if you are meat eaters who want to reduce the cost of your weekly shop then is a very quick and easy way to do it."
Lorna, who has also published books about budget cooking, was praised for the idea. Many of her followers saying they'd tried it out.
Christine Dale said: "Did a chicken curry for hubby and I tonight one decent sized chicken breast was enough with peas, peppers, onions and mushrooms". Debbie Simms said: "I've started bulking out any mince dishes with a can of green lentils. They are quite 'meaty' in texture and my family haven't even noticed. It makes a pack of mince go much further."
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