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The Real Meal Deal

5 Meals. 1 Shop. Less Waste. Lower Carbon

Published 27 days ago • 2 min read

Hi Reader

This week's plan is built around one simple idea: use more of what you buy, waste less and eat really well in the process.

Instead of 5 completely seperate meals, these recipes are designed to work together. A single shop stretches across the week, cutting waste, saving money and quietly lowering your footprint.

A seasonal asparagus and chicken risotto uses a small amount of meat - but is also great for any leftover roast chicken. The asparagus can be used here and also go nicely with the fish later in the week. A smoked salmon carbonara is your portion of oily fish and a quick and easy mid-week meal. For some batch-cooking meals, I've gone with 5 Bean Chilli and a red pepper and lentil soup. Both can also be used for next day lunches, or freeze them and use next week.

Eating sustainably isn't about doing everything perfectly, it's about making smarter choices that fit into real life, week after week.

💡 How This Reduces Waste (and Saves Money)

  • Shared ingredients mean fewer half-used packs sitting in the fridge
  • Batch-friendly meals (chilli + soup) give you ready-made lunches or freezer options
  • Flexible recipes let you swap in what you already have
  • One planned shop reduces impulse buys (and forgotten veg going soft at the back of the fridge)

Chicken Risotto with Asparagus

This is a perfect recipe for using up leftover chicken, or you can cook the chicken from scratch. Either way, you'll have a great tasty dinner ready on the table in 30 minutes.

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Smoked Salmon Carbonara

Smoked Salmon Pasta Carbonara without cream is easy, quick and light. The eggs and parmesan cheese give it plenty of flavour and make the dish lovely and creamy. Takes just 15 minutes.

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Pan Fried Plaice with Asparagus

A simple way to cook this delicate fish and handy way to use up any of your leftover seasonal asparagus.

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5 Bean Chilli

A 5 Bean Chilli is an easy family-friendly dish, perfect for meat-free days and suitable for vegans. It's full of fibre, very economical and healthy. Made mainly from store cupboard ingredients it's super handy too. You can rustle this up in just 25 minutes and it also freezes well so great for batch cooking.

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Red Pepper and Lentil Soup

A roasted red pepper and lentil soup is a delicious filling and healthy soup perfect for any time of the year. Use up any leftover red peppers from your chilli.

Until next week!

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The Real Meal Deal

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