With a little imagination, it’s easy to make delicious family meals on a budget – here’s how 

Could your family survive a week on a £60 food shop? Good Living food editor Gregor McMaster helped one family of four overhaul their weekly shopping habits and reduce their food waste, saving them money with delicious and simple recipes. Meet the Douglas family from Sherwood, Nottingham &ndash; mum Lisa, 48, and dad Mike, 49, who run an IT business, Visav, and their children Jake, 12 and eight-year-old daughter Evie. Not forgetting their dogs, Ruby and Bella. ‘We rarely plan our meals,&rsquo; admits Lisa. ‘So it will be very interesting to see how doing so could save us money. Bored with our meals, I&rsquo;m keen to get some new dinner ideas.&rsquo; You can even follow our week&rsquo;s menu and try it yourself.<img alt="douglas-family-shopping" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/douglas-family-shopping_GL?scl=1"><h2>Everyday Breakfast</h2>Wheat Bisks cereal <ul><li>2 Smart Price Wheat Bisks</li><li>½ sliced banana</li><li>15g raisins </li><li>150ml semi skimmed milk</li></ul><img alt="wheat" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/wheat_GL?scl=1">Cornflakes cereal <ul><li>40g Smart Price CornFlakes</li><li>½ sliced banana</li><li>15g raisins </li><li>150ml semi skimmed milk</li></ul><img alt="cornflakes" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/cornflakes_GL?scl=1">Boiled egg on toast<ul><li>1 boiled egg</li><li>2 slices Warburtons Seeded Batch</li><li>400g loaf, toasted</li><li>5g sunflower spread</li></ul><img alt="toast" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/toast_GL?scl=1">Follow each lunch/tea with one 125g pot <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/fat-free-low-fat/asda-smart-price-6-low-fat-fruit-yogurts/910002962694" target="_blank">Smart Price Low Fat Fruit Yogurt</a> for each person. <h2>SUNDAY</h2>Lunch/tea - Dips with pitta & cruditésThe kids will love this picky and colourful lunchtime treat which is great for getting all the family around the table. Better yet, this easy and tasty dish will be ready to eat within 10 minutes. <img alt="dips__hero" class="ci-image ci-hero" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/dips__hero_GL?scl=1"> Dinner/lunch - Classic roast chickenNo other dinner is worth eating on a Sunday if it isn't a roast dinner. This simple, but delicious recipe will give you a mouthwatering chicken complete with roast potatoes and veg. And there will also be some leftover chicken which you can add into your other dishes throughout the week.<img alt="chicken-recipe__hero" class="ci-image ci-hero" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/chicken-recipe__hero_GL?scl=1">Dessert - Peach crumble with custardThis tempting sweet dessert is the ultimate treat for Sunday.Serves 4 | Ready in 40 mins | Price per serving 31p<img alt="peach" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/peach_GL?scl=1"><ol><li>Preheat the oven to 190C/ 170C Fan/Gas 5. Drain 2 x 411g cans Smart Price Peaches in Light Syrup and put the fruit in an ovenproof dish. </li><li>Sprinkle a 225g pack Asda Crumble Topping over the fruit and bake for 25-30 mins or until the crumble starts to brown.</li><li>Put a 70g sachet Smart Price Instant Custard Mix in a measuring jug, and add boiling water to make up to 425ml, whisking with a fork until smooth. Serve with the crumble.</li></ol><h2>Monday</h2>Lunch - Cheese, tomato & pickle butties Serves 4 | Ready in 15 mins | Price per serving 47p<ol><li>Make 4 sandwiches with 8 slices Asda Wholemeal Medium Sliced Bread spread with 20g Asda Sunflower Spread and filled with 120g Asda 30% Less Fat Mature British Cheese, 2 sliced tomatoes and 20g Smart Price Sweet Pickle.</li><li>Serve with 1 carrot and 4 sticks celery, cut into batons. Follow with yogurts.</li></ol><img alt="cheese-and-tom" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/cheese-and-tom_GL?scl=1">Dinner - Chicken stir fryLoaded with egg noodles and packed with veg, this Chinese-inspired stir-fry is a lovely dish and you can make it within 20 minutes. Throw in some leftover chicken from Sunday and it's good to go!<img alt="chicken-stir-fry__hero" class="ci-image ci-hero" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/chicken-stir-fry__hero_GL?scl=1"> <h2>Tuesday </h2>Lunch - Chicken & sweetcorn sarniesServes 4 | Ready in 15 mins | Price per serving 48p <ol><li>Make 4 sandwiches with 8 slices Asda Wholemeal Medium Sliced Bread.</li><li>Spread with 20g Asda Sunflower Spread and fill with 100g cooked chicken (reserved from Sunday), 100g Asda Light Soft Cheese with Sweet Chilli and ½ x 326g can Smart Price Sweetcorn.</li><li>Serve with 1 carrot and 4 sticks celery, cut into batons. Follow with yogurts.</li></ol><img alt="chicken" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/chicken_GL?scl=1">Dinner- Penne & veg frittata Serves 4 | Ready in 30 mins | Price per serving 73p<ol><li>Preheat the oven to 220C/ 200C Fan/Gas 7. Bake 2 bake-at-home baguettes according to the pack instructions.</li><li>Meanwhile, add the 50g penne pasta to a pan of boiling water, bring back to a boil then simmer for 8 mins. Add 100g frozen peas, boil, then simmer for 2-3 mins. Drain.</li><li>Fry 2 small onions, sliced and ½ red pepper, deseeded and sliced, in 1tbsp vegetable oil for 8-10 mins. Stir ½ of a 326g can of Smart Price Sweetcorn, drained into the pasta.</li><li>Preheat the grill. Stir 50g of the Less Fat Mature Cheddar cheese into 6 eggs and season with pepper. Add to the frying pan and cook on a low heat until almost set.</li><li>Put 4 tomatoes, sliced in a bowl and dress with 4 tbsp Asda Light Vinaigrette. </li><li>Sprinkle 15g of the cheese, then melt under the grill. Slide the frittata onto a plate then serve in slices with the tomatoes and baguettes.</li></ol><img alt="penne_and_veg_frittata" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/penne_and_veg_frittata_GL?scl=1"><h2>Wednesday </h2>Lunch - Tuna & cucumber sandwiches Serves 4 | Ready in 15 mins | Price per serving 75p<ol><li>Spread 8 slices Asda Wholemeal Medium Sliced bread with 20g Asda Sunflower Spread.</li><li>Drain 2 x 160g cans Smart Price Tuna Chunks in Brine and mix with 4tbsp Heinz Light Mayonnaise. Use to make sandwiches with ½ cucumber, sliced.</li><li>Serve with 1 carrot and 4 sticks celery, cut into batons. Follow with yogurts.</li></ol><img alt="tuna-cucumber" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/tuna-cucumber_GL?scl=1">Dinner - Meatball pastaThe perfect midweek meal - this meatball pasta is both delicious and filling. You can pair it with pasta or spaghetti, depending on what you've got in stock.<img alt="pasta-and-meatballs__hero" class="ci-image ci-hero" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/pasta-and-meatballs__hero_GL?scl=1"> <h2>Thursday </h2>Lunch - Egg mayo & cress sarnies Serves 4 | Ready in 15 mins plus cooling | Price per serving 34p<ol><li>Simmer 4 eggs for 8 mins to hard boil. Plunge unshelled into cold water, to cool.</li><li>Shell, chop and mix with 4tbsp Heinz Light Mayonnaise. Make 4 sandwiches with 8 slices Asda Wholemeal Medium Sliced Bread, 20g Asda Sunflower Spread, the egg mayonnaise and 1 pack Grower&rsquo;s Selection Cress.</li></ol><img alt="egg-and-mayo" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/egg-and-mayo_GL?scl=1">Dinner - Veg curry with naans Packed with cauliflower, sweetcorn and chickpeas - this vegetable curry is a treat for hungry tums. <img alt="cauliflower-curry__hero" class="ci-image ci-hero" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/cauliflower-curry__hero_GL?scl=1"> <h2>Friday </h2>Lunch - Sausage, bean & pasta saladServes 4 | Ready in 20 mins, plus cooling | Price per serving 64p<ol><li>Add 200g penne to a pan of boiling water, return to the boil and simmer fast for 8 mins. Add 100g frozen peas and cook for 2-3 mins. Drain. Grill 4 Butcher&rsquo;s Selection British Reduced Fat Cumberland Pork Sausages, allow to cool, then slice. Drain and rinse a 290g can of Asda Mixed Bean Salad. Mix the pasta,</li><li>Mix the pasta, sausages, and beans with ½ cucumber, diced, 4 sticks celery, diced and 4tbsp Asda Light Vinaigrette. Serve with 1 carrot, cut</li><li>Serve with 1 carrot, cut into batons. Follow with yogurts.</li></ol><img alt class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/sausage_GL?scl=1">Dinner - Crispy-topped fish creoleNo Friday would be complete without eating a hearty portion of fish! This tasty dish comes topped with a delicious tomato mixture, breadcrumbs and cheese. Yum!<img alt="baked-fish-__hero" class="ci-image ci-hero" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/baked-fish-__hero_GL?scl=1"><h2>Saturday </h2>Lunch - Squash, carrot & sweet potato soupCreamy and delectably tasty, this soup is perfect for lunch or a light dinner.<img alt="squash-carrot-sweet-potato-soup__hero" class="ci-image ci-hero" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/squash-carrot-sweet-potato-soup__hero_GL?scl=1"> Dinner - Sausage hash & poached eggsServes 4 | Ready in 50 mins | Price per serving 58p<ol><li>Preheat the oven to 190C/170C Fan/Gas 5. Put the 4 Butcher&rsquo;s Selection Reduced Fat British Cumberland Pork Sausages on a baking tray and cook in the oven for 20 mins. Reduce the oven to 140C/120C Fan/Gas 1.</li><li>Cut the sausages into thick slices and return to the oven.</li><li>Meanwhile, put the 350g frozen Scratch Cook Whole Leaf Spinach in a frying pan with 1tbsp water and cook, stirring, until defrosted. </li><li>Tip into a sieve over a bowl and press with the back of a wooden spoon to extract the water. Put the spinach in an ovenproof dish and keep warm in the oven.</li><li>Add the 500g potatoes, cut into 1cm cubes to a pan of boiling water and simmer for 6 mins. Drain, then put on a plate lined with kitchen paper.</li><li>Wipe the frying pan add 1tbsp oil and heat. Add 1 onion, chopped and 1 red pepper, deseeded and diced and cook for 6-8 mins until soft. Add to the sausages and keep warm.</li><li>Add 1tbsp vegetable oil to the pan and cook the potatoes for 15-20 mins, stirring, until they become crisp and golden.</li><li>Add the sausage mixture and spinach to the pan and stir well to mix together. Divide the hash between 4 plates and serve with a poached egg on top of each one.</li></ol><img alt="poached_eggs_and_sausages" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/poached_eggs_and_sausages_GL?scl=1"><h2>Verdict</h2>‘Discovering we could save over £4,000 a year by shopping like this is staggering &ndash; that pays for a nice family holiday! It made me think about how much we waste, too. I&rsquo;m determined to start putting a food plan together and focus on using those leftovers!&rsquo; Feeling inspired to try this menu? Make sure you stock up on everything you need at <a href="http://www.asda.com/" target="_blank">Asda</a> or <a href="http://storelocator.asda.com/" target="_blank">pop into your local store</a>.

Feed the family for £60

By Asda Good Living,6th July 2017

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