budget meals

Another favourite is - my version of scrambled eggs - eggs, tin crushed tomato, or chopped fresh tomatoes - tin four bean mix (well rinsed-its the juice makes you pass wind!) - onion - cook onion and tomatoe in pan, add four bean mix and eggs, mixing well (you can beat eggs together if you want) - cook till ready. Nice served on toast.

I am stealing the first one Julie!!! It sounds nice and simple and i know i will love it already!!

Cheers

Mauler

With three children?????

Most pubs have seperate dining areas to the bars. In some towns I notice, the pub is the only place to have a bought meal.
I know of one that will evict patrons for saying one swear word.


I'm guessing that comment was about kids being exposed to pubs.

nah, I reckon it was more about the original poster asking for budget meal ideas under $10.
I have 5 kids and a meal out anywhere except maybe chinky is out of control. Especially as they usually only offer a plate of 3 or 4 chook nuggets (or manky greasy Basa rubbish) and a few chips for $10-$15 EACH.

Thats why I said as a treat.

Narooma last Christmas.
Two Adult roast dinners (two for one) $10.00, one kid had roast as there is only one of me.
Three other kids had chicken schnitzel with vegies 6.00 each.
Desert included.
Total for 1 adult, four kids, $28.00. Not cheap but not over priced.

What is Chinky?

First three letters give me a hint as to the nationality of the take away.

Mh

If Chinky is Chinese, i'm trying to work out how that is under control. I found it to be the most expensive. Was thinking it might be a budget take a way, not available here.

In some places International Food Halls Asian foods stalls have a large platter with a bit of everything that would practically feed a family for a few dollars; very good value - i couldn't buy the ingredients for the price.

Mh

At least with Chinese you can get as many dishes as needed plus rice as a filler and put it in the middle. And the ever popular prawn crackers!

Not every ones in WA like us MH

the pub prices have to be seen to be believed elswhere to to subsadies by pokies

I took my parents out to the local in Adelaide and 3 meals, desrts, salad bar and a drink each was about $50

still its a small price we pay for no pokies

I too use a lot of mince when travelling (it is the most versatile space saving meat when freezer space is small). Likewise fresh veges, then dehydrated. I also use a packet of 10 minute noodles or rice to flavour the mince for something different in the one pot meals. I have already giving John and Loz a link to the caravan cooking section of my website.

Its true olcoolone, budget meals are the same on the road as in the home kitchen. However it is an never ending challenge to come up with new ideas, Hence I put up this post. I have the old trusty receipes but was looking for something new and interesting.
We are heading off for 2 years and so I will obviously be shopping as we travel. I just wanted to kick off on the right foot.
I am huge believer in fresh fruit and vegies and if they are unavailable the frozen, canned and dehydrated versions will have to do. Iam in experienced with these but as they say necessity is the mother of all invention and I need receipes to work with.
No point trying to re invent the wheel when others already have the experience.
Cheers Loz

If your heading of for two years I wouldn't be looking at budget meals, eating right and well is the biggest part of staying health.... it's not fun travelling with some one who is sick.

A meal can be as dear or as cheap as you want, back in the 18th century Turtle Soup was all the rage and only eaten but the upper class, the lower class wanted the same so they made a soup called Mock Turtle Soup, instead of Turtle it was made using Cow heads being Cow heads were a lot cheaper then Turtle.

Instead of asking here for ideal...... you will get millions some good some not so, go and buy some travel cooking books by some one like Viv Moon book -

http://www.guidebooks.com.au/cookbook%20outdoor.htm

Or the famous Green and Gold -

http://www.cook-books.com.au/ccp0-prodshow/green-gold-cookery-book-new-softcover-recipe-cookbook.html

When travelling there is no cheap way as food prices and availability vary from place to place and season to season.

Here's some tips...

1) Get meats cryovaced and learn what to use first.
2) Store all fresh fruit and vegetables in air tight containers and learn what to use first.
3) Only use as much as you need and don't keep left overs.
4) Keep at least 1 weeks emergency supply of non perishable food (like canned stuff).
5) Keep meals simple.
Don't use general water as drinking water (buy drinking water in casks, not from a tap).
6) Try not to take food stuffs in glass as it can break and is harder to dispose off.
7) Wash hands more then if at home with a antiseptic soap.
8) Burn all food scraps in a fire and do the same with cans ( any thing that has not turned to ash take with you and dispose of properly and don't bury rubbish).

All great ways to get children to love camping. Although bear in mind weather conditions, seasons and fire restrictions before considering a camp fire.

Another thing I find that helps you ring the changes on the budget meals is to pack a good selection of dried herbs and spices. Today the mince is spag bol -next time mince and beans is chili con carne - then home made hamburgers - just change the seasonings! I do not buy those expensive bottles of spice either. I buy the much better value small packets. When open I put the whole opened packet inside a small ziplock plastic bag and the whole collection of spices fits in a plastic Tupperware type container that takes up hardly any space or weight in the van. Lynne

If you have a jaffle iron, make up a sloppy damper mix - about toothpaste consistency.

Slop some in the iron and give to the kids to cook.

Once done split the result and drop on some golden syrup or honey - yum.

Cheers

Pete

And don't forget the cabbage and mashed potatoes, Deb instant if you don't have the real thing.

Kevin