Budget bites

More than a cheap eats cookbook, the Destitute Gourmet series by Aucklander Sophie Gray represents a change in the way of thinking around shopping and creating meals. So much so, that I knew my husband was not going to be in to this…

More than a cheap eats cookbook, the Destitute Gourmet series (ENJOY! and Delicious) by Aucklander Sophie Gray represents a change in the way of thinking around shopping and creating meals.

So much so, that I knew my husband was not going to be in to this, when I read certain guidelines, or ‘principles’, in the front of her Enjoy book. Particularly one about only one treat item per week.

Her first principle is shop only once a week or once a fortnight. We are pop-in-every-time-you-need-something shoppers, a sin Sophie attests leads to buying 5 things you don’t want for every one thing you need.

Buying semi-prepared things such as pasta sauce is also out, which sounds incredibly difficult, but she is sure one can make them all yourself. Keeping a price book also sounds like a nightmare to me but I am sure my father in law would love that! So it may be in main, a personality thing.

I have to say, I have been consciously trying to shop less and stick to my list and be more aware and intentional at the supermarket. Have I spent less? Unsure, as I don’t have any idea what I currently spend, nor do I keep a list!

The books are written in a straight-forward, matter of fact manner, without much charisma or humour to them. They are filled with useful information and tidbits that I found interesting such as the section on store cupboard substitutes.

This is not a sexy, Nigella or warm, Jamie sort of book; it is functional and informative. Chapters are divided into baking, desserts, pasta, mainstays, and so on, so you can easily find a recipe for your occasion.

This is not scientific but I reckon 80% of people would cook a recipe only if they have seen the picture, and there aren’t photos of each recipe. I would like to have seen one recipe per page and an accompanying picture. Photography is great, by Aaron McLean whom I have seen in Cuisine and knows his way around a food photo.

So, what of the recipes? Here are my top five picks from the books:

1. Slow-cooked sausages and lentils