Hello everyone! Another Monday, and this time the first for September. Giving you now a new list of affordable ulam recipe ideas that could help you stay within the family’s food budget for the week. If you are new here, check this out for the past lists of seven-days’ worth of low-cost ulam recipes for the family.
Like all recipe ideas, the meals I suggest here all cost below Php200.00 and could feed about four to five adult portions. And since the computation may not include some condiments and seasonings that are pantry staples, I suggest that when the budget is not too tight, maybe we could invest on bigger condiment bottles that are more economical.
Buy more condiments when there’s extra budget
Also, try buying other condiments that could help us make more flavorful yet affordable recipes. These include honey, butter, oyster sauce, sesame seeds, star anise, bagoong, tomato paste; Korean spices like Gochujang and Gochugaru if you are into spicy Korean fare, Mirin, Sake and Miso if you are into Japanese food, and some herbs like cumin, cinnamon, curry powder, basil, thyme and the like for Italian and Indian recipes. Take advantage of discount and free shipping promotions on your favorite shopping app to save on time, money, and effort.
So without further ado here’s our list of this week’s murang ulam ideas:
1. Garlic Tokwa and Kangkong – It may not sound appetizing but when I watched Panlasang Pinoy’s video of this recipe, it dawned on me that even my children will enjoy eating this dish! Try Vanjo’s recipe here.
2. Sotanghon Guisado. One thing in my repertoire as a mom that is not in my own mother’s cooking line-up are pancit recipes for full meals. She only likes Pancit Bihon Guisado and not as a meal, but as merienda. When I became a parent, I figured that noodle dishes are heavy and can really be a main dish either for dinner or lunch. So here, I am including this super yummy Sotanghon Guisado recipe on our list this week, because pancit is not just for merienda or for special occasions, it could be a main meal! Check out this recipe and just sub the shitake mushroom to whatever dried mushroom you have at home.
3. Pinakbet – You do not have to hail from the Northern Philippines to enjoy this delicious and nutritious fare! To make the kids enjoy it, add chicken strips and it is game time! You can sub the bagoong for patis if your children are allergic to it. Check out this fun and easy recipe to follow.
4. One pot recipe: Stuffed Cabbage – It may seem like a complicated recipe but it is not that difficult to cook. It only calls for about 400-500 grams of ground pork and cabbage and you are good to go. Bonus points is the fact it comes with rice so you’ve got a one-pot dish for all! Divide this recipe in half.
5. Minced chicken adobo and scrambled egg rice toppings. Who says rice toppings are just served in fastfood chains! No-no-no! Surprise your family by mincing chicken breast (or buying ground chicken) seasoning it with adobo spices, and stir frying it. Set aside the cooked minced adobo and then scramble some eggs. Top on bowls filled with newly cooked white rice, and if you are feeling generous, serve it with atsara or chilled cucumber-vinegar salad. BTW this is a good baon idea for your kids who bring lunch to school 🙂
6. Lumpiang shanghai – Yes another standard birthday fare that you can cook everyday even on a budget! Just use 400grams of ground pork, lumpia wrapper, an egg, small piece of carrots, garlic and onions, and your desired seasonings like salt and pepper. You’ve got a yummy lumpia lunch for everyone!
7. Sardine omelette — Here’s another budget dish that does not seem like a budget dish. Use spanish style sardines to level-up the taste, and instead of making one big pan-sized omelette, make small patty-sized ones. Serve with a side of chilled carrot vinaigrette salad. Use this recipe but sub the tomato-based sardine to Spanish Style sardines.
So that’s it for this week, hope you got useful ideas for your week-long cooking, and looking forward to your visit next week.
By the way, if you are looking for daily devotionals to aid in your prayer, quiet time and reflection, please check out our daily reflections posted on this section of our website 🙂
Food for the soul
At this point, I hope you can allow me to share with you one of my favorite bible verses, this time from te letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians:
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.”
Ephesians 1:7
Thank you for stopping by and till next post!