Saturday, 11 May 2013

Foodie on a budget - Without compromising freshness, health, or flavour

So now I have a beautiful puppy and an amazing two years of acting school to look forward to, but that means some holding back on the spending. My goal is to use a maximum of Kr 100 per day on food for two, in one of the most expensive cities in the world. Though this wouldn't be too much of a challenge if I'd be satisfied with 2 minute noodles for dinner, I will challenge myself to make well balanced meals using fresh and healthy products, full of flavour. If you're on a budget like me, I hope these recipes will help keep your taste buds and bodies satisfied!

Here we go!

Sunday, 5 May 2013

Lentil soup

For the last few weeks I haven't had the best diet or eating habits. With full on refurbishing and preparing for a theatre school audition, there wasn't a place or time to make food. Thanx to Eirik's parents we had a decent meal when home in time for dinner. I can't wait to move into the apartment with a beautiful new kitchen, possibly an adorable puppy, and theatre school to look forward to!! For the moment, I'll settle for some lentil soup :o)

Ingredients

250g Dried lentils (can replace with canned)
1/3 Onion, sliced
1 Tomato
Parsley
Thyme
2 tsp Crushed ginger and garlic (1/3 ginger 2/3 garlic)
3 tsp Salt (and add to taste when ready to serve
Pepper
Butter (1 tsp in each bowl)


For this recipe, you can either fry the onion, and tomato in the pot before adding the water, or chop everything up while the water and lentils are boiling and add the other ingredients as they are prepared.

Put approximately 2.3 litres of water, salt, pepper, and the dried lentils in a pot on full heat. When prepared, add all the other ingredients (except butter). The box I got them in suggests 1 hour of soaking time followed by 20 minutes of boiling, but I just put them straight in while the water heats up and keep them boiling until they're as soft as I want them, which takes approximately an hour.

The last choice you need to make with this recipe is whether to have it as it is, mash the soup a little, or liquidise it. Add a teaspoon of butte in the centre of each bowl and serve.

Enjoy!