Banging bargain burritos

I'm wondering how many of you buy the Mexican food kits that cost around £3 each and then 'only' require you to add the most expensive ingredient, the meat? I used to before I realised buying it separately and making your own sauce was way cheaper, just as tasty and you know exactly what you're eating. I did burritos but the principal is the same with fajitas, enchiladas, tacos in fact any of the kits you see ready made. They only include wraps and a sauce, so buy the wraps separately but make sure you get the supermarkets own brand, usually found on the bread aisle, not the ones they advertise near the ready done kits as these are more expensive to fool you into thinking you get a better deal buying the packs. The sauce is easily made with a few spices, again buy the cheap ones and once you have them in you can make a whole range of different recipes that you might normally buy a packet/ jar of sauce for, saving you loads of money in the long run. These went down a treat with my family last night, you could add sweetcorn, peppers or even baked beans if you don't like kidney beans.

500g minced beef

Pack of 8 wraps

2 x cartons passata (just use the cheapest supermarkets own brand)

Large onion

Tin kidney beans

Grated cheese (just to sprinkle on top of the burritos)

Tsp cumin

1-2 tsp garlic powder

Tsp chilli powder

Tsp paprika

On a high heat in a frying pan brown the mince and drain off any fat.

Dice the onion (and peppers if you are using.) 

In a separate pan on a medium heat with some oil, cook the onions and all the spices together until they are soft.

Add the onions and spices to the mince with the kidney beans and one of the jars of passata.

Cook these all together for ten minutes on a medium heat.

Place a serving spoon full of the mix into a wrap and fold the top and bottom into the middle and then each side creating a parcel.

Place the parcels into a roasting tin.

Pour over half the other carton of passata then sprinkle with cheese.

Cook for 15-20 minutes at 180 or until the cheese is bubbling and serve with a fresh salad, wedges or as they are!

Chilli gone barmy and nom nom nachos

With the cold spell we are having at the moment, (it makes for some beautiful pictures) this tea is perfect. It was going to be a chilli con carne, however I forgot to buy some of the ingredients and had to improvise and do you know what? It tastes better for it! This is a good one for this time of year as it's filling, healthy and cheap! Have it on it's own, with the nachos, jacket potato, rice, pasta or chips, it's your choice. I have a very slap dash approach to cooking just lately and want to stress to you all even though I give you a recipe, feel free to play around and make it your own. The nachos make a lovely supper or an accompaniment to a Mexican meal, these however are probably not as good for the waist line. Then again with the weather at the moment we need a little fat on our bones.....right?

Nachos

Tortilla chips (Asda's own brand are only 46p for a 200g bag!)

Rocket (optional)

Sweet chilli sauce

Cheese grated

Layer the crisps and cheese and grill until the cheese melts

Dish up on top of the rocket (it makes you feel less guilty)

Dribble on the sauce and enjoy!

My son Chase, hubby Paul and Louie the lab enjoying the snow!

For the chilli

500g minced beef

Red pepper diced

Onion sliced

Passata 500g carton (Lidl)

Tin kidney beans

Tin baked beans

Tsp cumin

Tsp chilli powder

Tsp paprika

300ml beef stock (oxo and water)

Fry off the mince and drain off the fat

In a pan with some oil add the pepper and onion and cook on medium heat for about 10 minutes with the cumin, chilli and paprika

When the onion and pepper are soft add the drained mince, passata, beef stock and give a good stir

Add both tins of beans and leave to simmer for at least 20 minutes serve as suggested above!

Its that easy...Here are some more of my snow pictures to enjoy

Louie is such a poser