Making Meals Out Of Nothing

If you're like me and do your shopping weekly or monthly, or maybe even on a tight budget, you always run out of things before the next shopping trip. Or fed up of trying to come up with different meals each day, or want to try a new recipe but haven't got all the right ingredients, then improvise.

Meals can be made out of virtually nothing. Or as my family calls it not a lot night' it's great fun experimenting and coming up with new ideas. I wanted to make a Stir Fry to go with the Chicken Curry I had made, I only had onions, broccoli, carrots and cauliflower, I looked in the cupboard and found a tin of Hot Dog Sausages, I chopped them up, and threw them in. It went down a treat.

I always keep eggs and flour in, it gives you the base for a Quiche and you can add anything to it you want. Or you could make a Sponge Cake for dessert.

Pies can be made out of nothing, Cheese, Mashed Potato and onion mixed together with a little milk. Corned Beef makes a tasty pie. Sausage Meat, finely chopped mushrooms and onions, mixed together with an egg and a little black pepper.

Pasta Shells make a great standby if you're low on potatoes, just throw some grated cheese in with them, some seasoning and a few chopped tomatoes, gives them a whole new look and taste. Or put grated cheese, cream and a little chopped up Ham, then you have a Carbonara.

Pizzas can be anything you want them to be, made with leftovers or things out of the cupboard; even Baked Beans go well on a Pizza.

Slightly watered down Tomato Ketchup, or Brown Sauce makes a great base for a marinade, put in whatever seasoning you like, and brush it over Chops, Steak, Chicken even Sausages, gives it a whole new flavour, the kids will love it.

Even Mince can be made less boring, add onions and carrots pour gravy over, mix plain flour and butter together to make breadcrumbs, sprinkle over the top and Hey Presto! You have a mince crumble.

It doesn't have to be anything fancy, just use your imagination, and soon you will be creating all sorts of tasty recipes, even your friends will want to know your secret. Enjoy.