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How to eat extravagantly on a pauper’s budget

Homemade haloumi, bistro-style soup and a succulent Roman stew; who said cost-conscious cooking meant skimping on the good stuff?

Haloumi

Homemade haloumi Source: SBS Food

We're thinking thrifty – simple sourdough, tastier-than-takeaway pizza and family-friendly fare – with 17 ways to save the cash and make your own incredible stash.

1. Start with the basics

Sick of trendy cafes charging $5 for a slither of soy and linseed? It's time to bake your own! This uses beer and vinegar for the starter; and mixes plain flour with rye or .
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We can’t blame you for thinking  is another culinary con, but believe us guys, the homemade stuff is delicious and dirt cheap! Try 's Enjoy it slathered on the aforementioned , stirred through  or served atop . It's so simple, it'll become a household staple.
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 and ; the toughest cuts of meat become the most tender when treated loving care. So slow-roast your , braise that , and serve .
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Step up the game from your basic packet varieties, and experiment with , like vermicelli and soba, to hokkien and egg. For a big bowl of parsimonious pleasure, try our .
Spicy pork and miso udon noodle soup

5. Think cost-per-use

Long ingredient lists might seem like a deterrent if you’re cutting down expenses, but when it comes to curries, a little spice goes a long way. Buy the basics and you’re set for many an amazing meal, such as this  from .
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6. Head your own soup kitchen

Swap big-spending bistros, for your comfortable kitchen and cook French classics at home. ’s  is not only cost effective; it’s a cinch to make. Remember to play smart: if you don’t have sherry on hand, substitute with brandy, cognac or even dry vermouth.
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7. Get your veg on

We love feel-good frugality in the form of . Healthy, gluten-free and quick to make; it’s a recipe of box-ticking brilliance.
Soft polenta with braised pumpkin and cavolo nero
Source: Benito Martin

8. Save some dough, make your own

 sounds super pricey, but try it at la casa and you’ll save a bucket load. With its blue-black hue and briny flavour, the ink is added to pastas and risottos along Italy’s coastline, from Venice down to Calabria.
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9. Trade in take-out

The pros of takeaway pizza are pretty obvious: it’s easy, appetising and not absurdly expensive. So why DIY? It’s a) fun to make; b) off-the-hook tasty; and c) super cheap. Oh and you won’t get Tama Carey’s  from any old pizza joint.
Sapphire potato, stracchino, rosemary and vincotto pizza
Sapphire potato, stracchino, rosemary and vincotto pizza Source: Benito Martin

10. Cook from scratch

If falls into your ‘hardly ever’ shopping basket, we say, ‘take on the cheese beast at home!’ This recipe from Trevor Hart of  requires a bit of skill, but the result is well worth it.
Haloumi
Homemade haloumi Source: SBS Food

11. Give peasantry a shot

, or , is a traditional peasant dish from the Castilla-Leon region of Spain. This version from  features only a few ingredients, but packs an absolute punch. It’s also a cold weather combatant, so you’ll save on cough syrup too.
Garlic soup (sopa de ajo)
Source: Alan Benson
No knead to worry when this is involved. Easy to handle for any home cook and all you need to do is let your dough get some rest then think about what kind of toppings you'd like - it's that easy.
No-knead pizza
No-knead pizza Source: Benito Martin

13. Don't be bitter

Stinginess making you sour? Sweeten up with this simple  from . The batter is based on kitchen staples – flour, sugar, milk and butter – plus three Granny Smiths. It's cheap, cheerful and divine with tea!
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Simple and fun, these  in their shell  are the perfect garden party treat. Scooping handheld jellies has never been easier and they save on the washing up too!
Passionfruit jellies in their shell
Passionfruit jellies in their shell Source: Benito Martin
Yoghurt, ricotta and honey give this  its signature moistness. Pantry staples of eggs, flour and butter give you the base for an epic teatime treat and one that keeps for several days in an airtight container as well - great for the office, just saying...
Chefs are going beyond banana cake when it comes to producing waste-minimising sweets.
Chefs are going beyond banana cake when it comes to producing waste-minimising sweets. Source: Robert Palmer Photography
We're sure there isn’t a single person on the planet who doesn’t love breaking through the lightest of cake crusts into a warm,. This is one of those faithful emergency recipes - it's super-easy, quick enough to execute (bakes in 8 minutes, people!) and can wow a dinner party, just like that.
Chocolate pots
Source: Poh & Co.
Sugar, cream and salt - that's what it takes to have this hot-to-trot sweet drizzle at your fingertips and on standby, ready to top your vanilla ice-cream, your cake, pudding or simply your fruit salad.
Caramel sauce
Source: Hardie Grant
For more economical eats, check out our  recipe collection.


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SBS Food is a 24/7 foodie channel for all Australians, with a focus on simple, authentic and everyday food inspiration from cultures everywhere. NSW stream only. Read more about SBS Food
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SBS Food is a 24/7 foodie channel for all Australians, with a focus on simple, authentic and everyday food inspiration from cultures everywhere. NSW stream only.
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5 min read
Published 15 December 2017 3:18pm
Updated 6 February 2018 3:56pm
By SBS Food bite-sized
Source: SBS


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