COMFORT on a BUDGET

These delicious recipes are as comforting to your pocket as they are to your body and soul. Perfect for any night of the week!

- ARE MEDIA SYNDICATION/MAGAZINEFEATURES.CO.ZA

THAI SPICY LAMB & NOODLE STIR-FRY

Serves 6

Prep + cooking time: 30 minutes

• 300 g dried rice noodles

• 15ml (1 tbsp) peanut oil

• 750 g lamb rump, sliced thinly

• 3 garlic cloves, crushed

• 2 small red Thai chillies, chopped finely

• 30 ml (2 tbsp) fish sauce

• 30 ml (2 tbsp) dark soya sauce

• 15 ml (1 tbsp) light-brown sugar

• 4 Thai lime leaves, shredded

• 3 medium tomatoes (450 g), chopped finely

• a handful of Thai basil leaves

• 35 g (¼ cup) unsalted peanuts, toasted and chopped coarsely

1. Cook noodles according to directions on the packet; drain.

2. Heat half the oil in a wok over high heat; stir-fry lamb, in batches, until browned. Remove from wok; cover to keep warm.

3. Heat remaining oil in wok; stir-fry garlic and chilli until fragrant. Add sauces, sugar and three-quarters of the lime leaves; stir-fry until combined.

4. Return lamb to wok with noodles and tomato; stir-fry until tomato starts to soften and is heated through. Serve sprinkled with Thai basil leaves, peanuts and remaining lime leaves.

CHEAT'S MINESTRONE WITH MEATBALLS

Serves 6

Prep + cooking time 1 hour

• 6 Italian-style pork sausages (about 675g)

• 30 ml (2 tbsp) extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 medium brown onion, chopped coarsely

• 1 garlic clove, crushed

• 70g (¼ cup) tomato paste

• 1.5 l (6 cups) water

• 500 ml (2 cups) chicken stock

• 700 g (2⅔ cups) passata