How to cook a budget lunch for 50 rubles

There are many reasons why we look for ways to save money on groceries. One thing is important – if there is such a task, you need to approach its implementation competently and a little creatively. Every year the range of grocery stores expands and this encourages us to increase the average bill. But do we really need everything we buy?

If you look at the situation objectively, the list of budget products for a healthy diet is quite large. Everything else brings gastronomic pleasure rather than benefit to the body. This means that the first step on the path to saving is rational planning. To create an economical menu for the week, you need to spend about 20 minutes, but as a result, it will save you from unnecessary expenses directly in the store. It’s worth thinking through absolutely every detail: what will be for breakfast, snack, lunch, dinner. And since we are talking about an economical menu, it is important to choose not only seasonal products, but also from the inexpensive segment. This may seem like a difficult task, but it’s actually quite simple.

As a note, we offer budget lunch recipes for 50 rubles per serving, which may well become the basis of your weekly menu.

Dumplings with oyster mushrooms

A hearty and delicious lunch that can feed the whole family. You can prepare a large portion at once and freeze the excess.

Ingredients:

• Flour – 250 grams;
• Water – 140 grams;
• Onion – 1 pc.;
• Oyster mushrooms – 600 grams;
• Vegetable oil – 1 tbsp. l.;
• Salt and pepper – to taste.

Sift the flour into a deep bowl, add a little salt and gradually pour in warm water. Knead a soft dough that does not stick to your hands and leave for half an hour. Meanwhile, prepare the filling: chop the onion and fry until transparent in a frying pan with heated oil. Add the chopped mushrooms and fry until tender, about 10 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste. Cool the finished filling and grind in a blender. Roll out the dough on a floured surface as thin as possible and cut out even circles. Place the filling in the center of each and seal the edges tightly. Place the dumplings in boiling salted water and cook for about 7 minutes until tender.

Fried vermicelli with chicken wings

Relatively inexpensive chicken wings go well with a wide variety of side dishes. Fried vermicelli is simple and very tasty!

Ingredients:

• Vermicelli – 150 grams;
• Chicken wings – 250 grams;
• Vegetable oil – 1 tbsp. l.;
• Water – 1 glass;
• Salt and spices – to taste.

Heat vegetable oil in a frying pan. Place the wings and fry over medium heat on both sides until golden brown. Add the vermicelli and fry for a couple more minutes, stirring occasionally. Pour in hot water, add salt and spices. Cover with a lid and simmer for about 5 minutes. Then remove the lid and cook the chicken until fully cooked.

Crucian caviar pancakes

Crucian carp is an inexpensive and tasty fish. And you can prepare a separate dish from caviar.

Ingredients:

• Crucian caviar – 200 grams;
• Egg – 1 pc.;
• Flour – 2 tbsp. l.;
• Vegetable oil – 2 tbsp. l.;
• Salt and pepper – to taste.

Wash the caviar, dry it, and remove any films. Place in a deep bowl and beat with a fork. Add salt and pepper to taste, beat in the egg. Add flour and stir until smooth. Heat vegetable oil in a frying pan. Spoon the caviar base into the frying pan and fry the pancakes on both sides until golden brown.

Cabbage pancakes

This is a simple and inexpensive meatless lunch or dinner for the whole family. Be sure to try it!

Ingredients:

• Cabbage – 300 grams;
• Egg – 1 pc.;
• Flour – 1.5 tbsp. l.;
• Soda – 1/3 tsp;
• Vegetable oil – for frying;
• Salt, spices, herbs – to taste.

Shred the cabbage thinly and boil for a couple of minutes in boiling water. Then drain in a colander and dry. Beat an egg into the cabbage, add salt, spices, chopped herbs and a little flour. Mix everything thoroughly. Heat a little vegetable oil in a frying pan. Spoon out the cabbage and fry the potato pancakes until golden brown on both sides over medium heat.

Liver dumplings

This inexpensive dish is quite versatile. These dumplings can be served with sour cream, vegetables or your favorite side dish.

Ingredients:

• Liver – 400 grams;
• Egg – 2 pcs.;
• Onion – 1 pc.;
• Bread – 50 grams;
• Flour or breadcrumbs – to taste;
• Vegetable oil – 1 tbsp. l.;
• Salt, spices – to taste.

Soak the bread in cold water for a couple of minutes, then squeeze out. Wash and dry the liver. Pass the liver and bread through a meat grinder. Peel the onion, chop and fry until golden brown. Add onion, eggs, salt and spices to the liver. Stir and add crackers or flour little by little so that the mixture is not too liquid. Bring salted water to a boil in a large saucepan. Spoon the liver mass into the pan. Cook the dumplings over medium heat for about 5 minutes until done.

This is how you can prepare a wide variety of dishes from simple and affordable products. So don’t be afraid to experiment with inexpensive products and expand your daily menu without damaging your wallet.