Super cheap batch cooking with TVP

TVP (or textured vegetable protein) is about £2 for a big bag from Holland & Barratt. It replaces minced beef (or other meat) in cooking. £2 of minced beef will make about 2 portions. £2 of TVP makes 28!!!!

Basic recipe (for 4 portions):

TVP
1 onion
2 garlic cloves
Tinned tomatoes

extras:
carrots
celery
courgettes
kidney beans
lentils
spices
herbs


Soak 50g TVP in 150ml water for about 10 mins.

Chop and gently cook 1 onion & 2 cloves of garlic. with a bit of salt and pepper.  If you want to squeeze some veg in, now is the time to add a finely chopped carrot and 2 celery sticks. Then add the mince and a tin of chopped tomatoes.  It's that simple.

Now you can turn it into all sorts of things. To make it a bit 'meatier', add an OXO cube, a teaspoon of marmite or some dark sauce such as Worcestershire, Soy or Tamarind.

If you add a tin of red kidney beans, some chilli powder and serve it with rice, you have Chilli.

Add peas and carrots (or any other veg), cover in mashed potato and cook in the oven until golden, it's cottage pie.

Herb it up with some oregano and serve it with spaghetti and you have bolognese.

Layer your bolognese with white sauce, cheese and pasta sheets and it's suddenly a lasagna.

Cook it with diced potatoes, swedes or turnips and wrap it in pastry and it's a pasty.

You can add pretty much any spices or herbs to change the seasoning and then bulk it out with different veg or pulses and completely change the meal.