Chinese Turkey Meatballs at 70p per portion.

Here’s another winning recipe from my Feed your Family for 70p (or less) range. . A 500g pack of thigh meat mince feeds four people but you can bulk it out by adding bread, soaked in milk then squeezed before mixing with the mince. **Buy a knob of fresh ginger and a stick of lemongrass (it’s nearly always reduced to pennies) and store in the freezer. Grate both, without peeling, straight into dishes.**

500g turkey thigh mince. (£2.59)
4 slices bread, soaked in milk then squeezed (10p)
2 good splashes of soy sauce (6p)
A good grating of fresh ginger (5p)
A good grating of lemongrass (5p)
Vegetable oil for shallow frying (5p)
400g basics white rice (16p)
600ml water
Half a cucumber (40p)
3 carrots (8p)
Salt
Total cost £3.54 (70p per portion)
Optional
Salted peanuts or sesame seeds to sprinkle over.

*Equipment – large bowl, small bowl, grater, medium saucepan, frying pan, wooden spoon, knife, peeler.

Put the mince and soaked bread (if using) in a bowl. Add soy sauce and grate the ginger and lemongrass over the meat. Mix thoroughly with one hand.

. Divide into small balls, flatten slightly then fry gently in vegetable oil until lightly browned on one side. This should take about 3 minutes.

. Turn the meatballs and cook on the other side for about 3 or 4 minutes.
While the meatballs are cooking prepare the rice and salad. See the separate post for cooking basics rice.

Top and tail the carrots then peel and throw away the skins. Peel into long strips and place in a bowl. Add a splash of soy sauce and a dribble of vegetable oil.

. Serve meatballs on a bed of rice, topped with the carrot and cucumber salad. Sprinkle with sesame seeds or peanuts if desired. Serve with soy sauce. Yum.