Katy Beskow - 15 Minute Vegan: On a Budget: Fast, Modern Vegan Food That Costs Less

You dont need specialist ingredients to cook great vegan meals. Everything you need is available at the supermarket from fresh vegetables and a variety of non-dairy milks, to an array of herbs and, of course, a selection of beans and pulses. This is great for those of us on a budget, as this includes supermarket-own brands delivering great quality at affordable prices. Theres no need to even step foot into a pricey health-food shop (and your wallet will be relieved to see that theres no avocado, quinoa, or tofu in sight!). Just like any diet, one high in processed foods will be expensive. There is now a good, widely available selection of vegan ready meals, pizzas, and snacks, which is convenient, and a sign that the demand for vegan food is increasing.

However, these items can be costly. Avoid these expensive vegan meals, and buy the basic ingredients you need to cook great food at home at a fraction of the price. Youll be pleased to learn that vegan cooking is fast, as the ingredients are easy to prepare and transform into something hearty, nutritious, and delicious. Being short of time and on a budget doesnt mean you have to sacrifice great food. Youll find all the recipes in this book are full of flavour, creativity and, of course, are as effortless and quick as possible. There are also fewer food safety risks compared to storing, preparing, and cooking meat, fish, eggs, and dairy; just ensure you store non-dairy milk in the refrigerator and cook beans and pulses thoroughly.

People are choosing a vegan lifestyle for various reasons, including animal ethics, sustainability, health improvement, and wanting to understand where their food is really from and how its processed. It is also now common for people to choose a vegan diet to save money. Plant proteins are remarkably cheaper than meat, fish, or dairy products. Need convincing? Price up my compared to a ragu made with beef mince. Its easier and quicker to cook, lower in fat, and costs much less to put together. If you feel daunted by the idea of vegan cooking, let these recipes show you how easy it really is from shopping to preparation.

Whatever your reasons for starting a vegan lifestyle, or adding more vegan meals into your diet, and regardless of how much money you are able, or want, to spend on food, its important to remember that veganism is accessible to all. Have fun with cooking, enjoy your time in the kitchen, and create delicious, vegan meals in moments. 10 tips for smart shopping on a budget Cooking delicious, fast, vegan food starts with having the right ingredients. Shopping on a budget doesnt have to be difficult; it just requires some preparation, knowing where to shop, and how to find the best quality ingredients for the lowest prices. 1) When meal planning, consider breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks so you can stock up on the ingredients you need for trying new recipes, or creating your family favourites. Its also worth noting how many portions the recipe makes; if you make more than needed, dont forget to freeze the left overs and you have a homemade ready meal available for another weeks meal plan.

The short investment of time it takes to create a weekly meal plan can really make financial savings. Think of a meal plan as a list of what youre going to cook and eat for the week its simple and effective. 2) Before writing a shopping list, take a look inside your fridge, freezer, and cupboards. Note what you already have and think about how to use it while creating a meal plan for the week. For example, you may already have half a bag of onions from the week before, along with frozen peas and rice in the cupboard, so youve already got the basic ingredients for . 3) Write a shopping list and stick to it! After creating your meal plan, you know exactly what youre going to cook and eat, with ingredients you already have available and what else you need to purchase. 3) Write a shopping list and stick to it! After creating your meal plan, you know exactly what youre going to cook and eat, with ingredients you already have available and what else you need to purchase.

Mindfully purchase exactly what you need, and try not to go shopping on an empty stomach youll only be tempted into pricey extras that you havent budgeted for. 4) Choose where is best to shop. Whether you prefer a large supermarket for its wide selection of products, a small supermarket due to close proximity, or online shopping for convenience, youll find vegan items readily available. While larger, well-known supermarkets may stock more choice of specialist vegan products such as non-dairy cheeses, plant-based milks, and vegan chocolates, budget chain supermarkets are certainly catching up with their selection. Veganism is growing, and the availability of products is a reflection of this. 5) Consider shopping at fruit and vegetable markets for good prices on seasonal produce.

Markets are often useful when buying products in bulk if you are batch-cooking or preparing meals for a family. Generally, the overheads of the market traders are less than supermarket chains, so savings can be passed onto the consumer. Its great to support local traders too. 6) When youre refilling the spice rack, take a look at the range and price of spices at Indian, Middle Eastern, Asian, and Chinese shops and supermarkets. Youll be able to purchase more for your money! While youre there, check out the rice, egg-free noodles, and coconut milk, as these items are often cheaper too. 7) When shopping in a large supermarket, look in the world-food aisle for store-cupboard essentials such as chickpeas, green lentils, coconut milk, tahini, soy sauce, rice, and egg-free noodles.

These staple ingredients are often remarkably cheaper in this aisle. 8) One certain way to reduce your food bill is to switch your branded products for supermarket-own brand products. Supermarket value ranges are another great switch, particularly for dried pasta and spaghetti, as these basic items are less likely to contain eggs in order to keep costs low (always check the ingredients). Challenge yourself and your family to determine if you can tell the difference between branded products and own-brand products. Your wallet will thank you! 9) Reduced price, use-by date, yellow sticker items may seem like a bargain, but dont be tempted into buying something you wont eat just because it has been reduced to sell. If you make a purchase, eat or cook with it by the next day, or freeze it for use in the future (but dont forget its in the freezer!).