h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

is wonderful when the budget is tight & here's why ...

Meal 1 - Proper roast chicken, stuff it with a peeled onion, cover with oil & seasoning, plus roast 'tatties then boil carrots & cabbage/greens. Making gravey from the juices is the best too. Always make too much of everything.

Meal 2 - Left over chicken plus Bubble & Squeek (so roast too many potatoes, boil too many carrots/greens).
The same night get the chicken bones, any left over gravey put them in a large saucepan with any left over veg and make stock. Bring to the boil, skim of the top, then reduce the heat and simmer for 4 hours. Don't ever, ever, ever let it boil dry - the smell will make you .

Meal 3 - with your stock from the previous night make a stew (I quite like kidney beans, tin of tomatoes, more carrot, more potato and cabbage with curry powder. The cunning cook, by making too much, and adding more ingredients the next day can make it last for two days.

The total shopping list for 4 day's meals can be
1 chicken, Potatoes, Onions, Carrots, Cabbage, tin of tomatoes, kidney beans. Assuming you have some curry spice, salt & pepper about.

Depending on how many people you're feeding, (and the size of the ), it can be stretched out for several days...

Roasted (with veg)

Left-overs with b&s (could make a couple of meals like this)

Sandwiches?

Remaining meat put into a risotto or curry or pasta sauce

Bones boiled up for stock (used for stew or soup - bulk it up with pulses like lentils or butter beans)