How Cheap Can I Eat? May Edition

How Cheap Can I Eat? May 2023 Edition

May is already here, and with it we thought to bring you three yummy, budget-friendly traditional South African recipes that will feed a family of 5 for under R100. 

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Melkkos

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of flour
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• 1 tablespoon of butter
• 4 cups of milk
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 2 tablespoons of sugar
• Ground cinnamon for garnish (optional)

Method:

1. In a large mixing bowl, mix the flour and salt together.
2. Rub the butter into the flour mixture with your fingers until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
3. In a large pot, heat up the milk and cinnamon sticks until it comes to a simmer.
4. Gradually add the flour mixture to the milk, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming.
5. Keep stirring the mixture until it thickens and forms a custard-like consistency, about 10-15 minutes.
6. Add the sugar and stir until dissolved.
7. Remove the cinnamon sticks.
8. Serve hot, garnished with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon if desired.

Tomato Bredie

Ingredients:

• 500g beef stewing meat, cubed
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons of oil
• 1 tablespoon of flour
• 2 cups of water
• 1 can of chopped tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon of sugar
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 4-5 potatoes, peeled and cubed

Method:

1. In a large pot, heat up the oil and brown the meat on all sides. Remove the meat from the pot and set aside.
2. In the same pot, sauté the onion and garlic until the onion is translucent.
3. Sprinkle the flour over the onion and garlic, and stir well to combine.
4. Gradually add the water to the pot, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming.
5. Add the chopped tomatoes, sugar, salt, pepper, cinnamon, cloves, thyme, and bay leaf to the pot, and stir well.
6. Add the browned meat back into the pot, along with any juices that may have accumulated.
7. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot.
8. Let the tomato bredie simmer for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the meat is tender and the flavors have melded together.
9. Add the cubed potatoes to the pot and stir well.
10. Continue to simmer the tomato bredie for another 30-45 minutes, or until the potatoes are cooked through.
11. Remove the bay leaf.
12. Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley or coriander if desired.

Mince Vetkoek

Ingredients:

• 2 cups self-raising flour
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup warm water
• Oil for frying
• Apricot Jam, Cheese, Mince (Optional)

Method:

1. In a bowl, mix the self-raising flour, sugar, and salt together.
2. Add warm water and mix until a soft dough forms.
3. Knead the dough for a few minutes until smooth.
4. Cover the dough and let it rest for 30 minutes.
5. Heat oil in a deep-frying pan over medium heat.
6. Pinch off pieces of the dough and shape into small balls.
7. Flatten each ball into a disk shape.
8. Fry the dough disks in the hot oil until golden brown on both sides.
9. Remove the fried dough from the oil and place on paper towels to drain excess oil.
10. Serve the vetkoek hot with a filling of your choice, such as jam, cheese, or mince or just enjoy with butter.