The Spice People - Quick and Easy Meals for Families on A Budget

Your one-stop guide for two-weeks’ worth of delicious, easy dinners for your family, all for under $5 per person a night!

Feeding a whole family can be a painstaking, tiring task; and feeding a whole family with meals they’ll actually like is even tougher! After raising a few kids myself and making more than my fair share of family-friendly dinners, I know the struggle. With all of these years however, I’ve picked up a few handy tricks along the way and mastered the formula for family cooking, so I’d like to share some of my top-hit dinners with you that have always been knockouts with the family. In this blog, I can show you that with just a little forward-planning and a clever shopping list, family dinner time no longer needs to be a dreaded to-do.

We’ve comprised a shopping list for you, along with some standard staples we think every pantry should have including 7 of our versatile spice blends that help you add maximum flavour the quick and easy way. We’ve made our list based on Woolworths supermarket prices to give you a basic ballpark but you can adapt it to any grocer you like.

Each meal has an easy-to-follow recipe guide with never more than 6 simple steps and never more than a 15-minute prep time. At the base of each recipe are protein-alternative and dairy-alternative suggestions as well as a veg option included to suit a range of diets and tastes. As with all of our ‘easy meals’ instalments, these recipes have been developed to suit even the most novice of cooks and have all been husband and kid road tested and approved, so they’ll have no excuse not to lend a helping hand. Our recipes have been made for a family of four, however you can easily adapt to include more people or augment by double or even triple so you can have leftovers for a hearty lunch the next day or ready-to-go meals in the freezer on stand-by.

Week 1:

Your Woolworths shopping list:

1kg zucchini $3.90 1kg Greek yoghurt $3.90

1 tin red kidney beans $0.80 500g boneless beef blade steak

1kg red capsicums $8.90 400g Greek feta $12.00

12pk tortillas $3.80 1.5kg chicken drumsticks $6.00

1kg yellow capsicums $8.90 500g basa fillets $5.00

1kg red onion $3.50 400g peeled prawns $14

2 cloves garlic $4.00 500g skin-on salmon fillets $13.50

1 bunch coriander $3 500g lamb mince $7.50

1kg tomatoes $4.90 1pk stock cubes $1.00

2 limes $1.60 1pk panko breadcrumbs $2.30

1kg sweet potatoes $4.50 1pk frozen peas $1.70

1kg white potatoes $4.00 1kg white rice $1.40

1 bunch mint $3.00 6pk white rolls $2.70

1 brown onion $0.45 1 loaf pane di casa bread $4

1 bunch spring onion $2.50 1 tin borlotti beans $1.50

3 lemons $3.36 1 tin butter beans $0.80

1 cucumber $2.00 2 tins tomatoes $2.00

2pk cos lettuce $3.00

Total: $154.41

Your The Spice People shopping list:

1 x Calamari Salt ‘n’ Pepper $3.45

1 x Smoky Memphis BBQ Spice Rub $3.45

1 x Curry Indian Tandoori $3.45

1 x Mexican Burrito/Fajita Spice Mix $3.45

1 x Greek Gyros Seasoning $3.45

Click on the name title to add these products to your cart.

Total: $17.25

Your pantry staples: olive oil, salt and pepper, brown sugar, plain flour, eggs

Monday – Mexican Chicken Drumstick Tray Bake

Mexican Burrito/Fajita Spice Mix

This delicious one-dish wonder is the perfect example that Mexican food isn’t just tacos and burritos. These succulent chicken drumsticks are cooked with veggies and our fragrant Mexican Burrito/Fajita Spice Mix all in one tray – this not only makes for a super quick and easy clean up but it allows all of the yummy flavours and juices from each ingredient to meld together, making a seriously delicious (and healthy) Mexican dish.

Tuesday – Smoky Baked Beans on Toast

Memphis Smoky BBQ Rub

Generally, when we think baked beans, we think over-salted, watery, full-of-preservatives ones from the can. This bean dish knocks that can right out of the park and gives baked beans a whole new name. Creamy buttery beans are cooked in a thick, rich tomato sauce that is flavoured with the smoky, BBQ flavours of Memphis. These luscious beans are then served on delicious crusty bread that mops up all of that delicious smoky sauce – a sure-to-please dish!

Wednesday – Crunchy Salt ‘n’ Pepper Fish Fingers and Chips with Minted Smashed Peas

Calamari Salt ‘n’ Pepper

One of my aims when planning family dinners, has always been to take otherwise-unhealthy dishes that my kids liked and make a healthier, more wholesome (and more delicious) version. These fish fingers are one of my proudest recreations to-date and have always been a massive hit with my family. The crunchy, golden fingers of flaky, tender fish seasoned with the and fruity Sichuan pepper from our blend, with fresh minted smashed peas and homemade chips certainly isn’t just for the kids – any adult and fish-finger sceptic is super love this spin on an old classic!

Thursday – Sizzlin’ Steak Fajitas

Mexican Burrito/Fajita Spice Mix

I love a classic fajita dish and especially how versatile they are. This great blend allows me to whip up some next-level fajitas in no time with using chicken, pork or even prawns. This version with the steak however, is one of my favourites. The tender, juicy, blushing steak sears on the outside and the spice mix creates a caramelised crust that works perfectly with the sweet veggies, soft tortillas and cooling yoghurt. Yum!

Friday – Tandoori Salmon with Garlic Rice and Cucumber Raita

Curry Indian Tandoori

I’ve always loved a classic tandoori chicken however, have recently been experimenting with other proteins and one of my favourites that I stumbled across in one evening of experimenting is tandoori salmon. The rich, oily salmon has a robust texture and flavour that can hold up to the powerful tandoori flavours and give it a totally different spin. Served with aromatic garlic rice and a zesty, fresh cucumber raita, this fresh take is one for the repertoire.

Saturday – Greek Lamb Burgers

Greek Gyros Seasoning

There are few dinners more crowd-pleasing in my house than burgers. One does, however, tire of the repetitive classic of ‘beef, salad, cheese’, which is why I came up with a Greek twist! By using lamb instead of beef, it not only blends perfectly with the Greek Gyros Seasoning but the sweetness of the lamb gives it a whole new flavour. With oozing, melted feta cheese and fresh salad, this Greek take on a classic is the perfect thing for a Saturday night in.

Sunday – Sichuan Prawn Fried Rice

Calamari Salt ‘n’ Pepper

Come Sunday, I’m more than ready for a chill, wind-down night to recover from the previous week and gear up for another one ahead; so often cooking a big dinner is the last thing on my mind. This fried rice dish couldn’t be simpler – simply chuck everything into a pan, fry away and serve! Plus, I also love how versatile it is, you can add-in or take-out anything you like to suit tastes, dietary requirements or simply use up what’s in the fridge. The Calamari Salt ‘n’ Pepper seasoning gives this dish an umami salty flavour as well as fruity, spicy notes from the Sichuan pepper, eliminating the need for loads of sugar and salt-loaded sauces.

Week 2:

Your Woolworths shopping list:

Fruit & veg Meat & Fish Other

1kg tomatoes $4.90 1.5kg chicken marylands $9.75 1pk pita pockets $4.00

1 cucumber $2.00 600g basa fillets $6.00 3 tins tomatoes $3.00

4 lemons $4.48 1kg beef mince $14.00 500g spaghetti $1.95

1 bunch parsley $3.00 500g pork mince $6.50

2 bulbs garlic $2.00

1kg carrot $1.50

3 brown onions $1.35

1 bunch celery $3.50

1kg sweet potato $4.50

1kg white potato $4.00

2pk cos lettuce $3.00

1 broccoli $2.37

Total: $81.80

Your The Spice People shopping list:

1 x Italian Spaghetti Herbs $3.45

1 x Egyptian Dukkha Spice Mix $3.45

Click on the name title to add these products to your cart.

Total: $6.90

Your pantry staples: olive oil, eggs, salt and pepper, plain flour, balsamic vinegar, butter

Leftover ingredients from the week before: Greek yoghurt, Greek feta, Smoky Memphis BBQ Spice Rub, Curry Indian Tandoori, Greek Gyros Seasoning

Monday – Veggie Souvlakis

Greek Gyros Seasoning

Souvlakis are always a huge hit in my house, so for our meat-free Monday I thought I would try my hand at making some veggie ones and boy were they a hit! The grilled, crispy, oozing feta takes these to the next level and the Greek Gyros Seasoning imparts all the wonderful fragrant flavours of Greek food that we all know and love.

Tuesday – Middle Eastern Fish and Veg Tray Bake

Egyptian Dukkah Spice Mix

Tray bakes are one of my favourite things to do for midweek dinners – it means very little washing up and an amazing, flavourful result with very little effort. The dukkah in this dish permeates the fish as well as adds a little crunch and texture, making it a one-dish hit!

Wednesday – Memphis-Style Smoky Pork Meatballs with Mash

Memphis Smoky BBQ Rub

My family and I love a good meatball dish and classically in the past, I’ve always done an Italian version. After having a gander on the internet, I stumbled across a few American BBQ-inspired meatball dishes and thought it was a fantastic idea and my Memphis Smoky BBQ Rub was the perfect thing for the job! This rub gives these meatballs the deep smoky flavour that’s synonymous with American BBQ and the rich sauce is mopped up by lashings of creamy mash – a must for the recipe books!

Thursday – Egyptian Dukkah Fishcakes

Egyptian Dukkah Spice Mix

I often turn to these delicious golden nuggets when I’m left with leftover fish or mash but making them from scratch is just as easy. The Egyptian Dukkah gives them a fragrant twist and added crunch that’s so moreish. They’re so crisp and flavourful and are such a satisfying dinner without being heavy or stodgy; plus, they’re made in no time and couldn’t be more fuss-free!

Friday – Homestyle Italian Spag Bol

Italian Spaghetti Herbs

Spaghetti Bolognese has to be a classic family fave all around the world but I have to say, this may be the best one you’ve tried yet! By starting the dish off with a classic sofrito (carrot, onion and celery) and the fragrant Italian Spaghetti Herb blend, you’re building a beautiful flavour base that will stand the dish in good stead.

Saturday – Grilled Tandoori Chicken with Fresh Mint Salad

Curry Indian Tandoori

This dish is a super simple, fast take on a classic Indian dish – removing the need for a tandoor oven, which I’m sure most us don’t happen to have tucked away in our kitchens. The fresh mint salad marries perfectly with the rich, charred chicken and makes this dish so delicious – so much so that your need for Indian takeaway menus is no more!

Sunday – Bolognese and Sweet Potato Cottage Pie

Italian Spaghetti Herbs

There are so many things that I love about this dish that I can’t pick which I love more – the simplicity, the lack of cooking and fuss, the delicious flavours or the sweet potato twist on the class – either way, this dish combines two of my most-loved, favourite dishes and that’s reason enough for me! The perfect cosy Sunday wind-down dish.

I hope our guide has helped to show you just how easy it can be to produce healthy, affordable meals that the whole family is guaranteed to love. By buying just a few carefully selected versatile ingredients, they can be mixed and matched and stretched a little further to save you money and save on food waste. These recipes are also super versatile so you can sub-in any ingredients that you already have on-hand. Enjoy a fortnight of globe-trotting from the comfort of your kitchen and stay tuned for more healthy, affordable meal ideas.

Ciao,

Liz