Budget Bites - Shakshuka
Hello Lincoln intern Lily Bowen is launching the UoL Budget Bites series aimed at students who want to get into cooking for themselves or just try something new. Using simple ingredients, these are meals that can be batch-cooked for a busy week going into the last semester of university.
Money anxiety is a very real issue faced by university students, not just here in Lincoln, but across the UK. Alongside managing deadlines, social life and independence, one of the biggest challenges can be building a routine around eating well, cooking regularly and looking after your own well-being, especially in your first year when you’re still learning how to balance your finances.
Now in my third year at the University of Lincoln, I have realised just how essential simple and affordable meals can be. Looking back, something I would have really benefited from (and fortunately now do) is a collection of cheap, easy recipes for lunches, dinners and even sweet treats (because we all deserve them). Meals that don’t require advanced cooking skills, don’t cost your whole student finance, and can be batch-cooked to last through a busy week.
As a Drama & English student, my schedule has always been packed with rehearsals, performances and essay deadlines. Because of that, these recipes are designed for everyone, from complete beginners who have never cooked before, to students who just want to bring something new into their routine without needing to spend hours in the kitchen.
I want to share some of my go-to meals and recipes that are affordable and genuinely enjoyable so that future students of Lincoln can feel a little more confident in not only their cooking skills, but also their overall wellbeing.
The first recipe I would like to share is one originally made by my housemate, and it’s now a go-to if we feel like we need a bit of a veggie boost!
Shakshuka is an original North African dish full of vegetables with fried eggs on top. My friends and I thought we would try make our own. The best thing about it is all you need to do is throw the ingredients in a pan and watch it simmer:
Ingredients:
- 1 onion
- 1 bell pepper
- 3 cloves of garlic
- 1 tin of chopped tomatoes
- 1 tin of chickpeas (strained)
- 1 small tin of sweetcorn (in water)
- 4 chopped sausages
- Seasonings (salt, pepper, dried coriander, paprika)
- 2 eggs
- Bread/ sourdough for toasting
- Feta cheese
- Hot sauce (optional)
Method:
- Finely dice the onion and pepper and throw in an oiled pan, cook until soft.
- Air fry/pan fry sausages according to manufacturer advice.
- Add the garlic, tomatoes, chickpeas and sweetcorn to the onions and peppers, mixing and bringing to a simmer.
- Add seasonings to personal preference.
- Chop cooked sausages and put into mixture.
- Allow to simmer until the sauce becomes thicker and the chickpeas are cooked.
- Crack eggs into the top of the sauce, turning the heat down and placing a lid on the pan.
- Cook until eggs are to your preference.
- Toast the bread.
- Garnish with dried coriander, crumbled feta and hot sauce.
A perfect student meal recipe that will make around three portions, easy to reheat or even freeze for later. Use this recipe for the base for more delicious on the go meals, such as instead of eggs and toast, cook with rice, pasta, or potatoes!
