Black Bean Sauce Seafood Udon

Another of my "I need to use up  the sauce" recipe! ;) I guess having these sauces help me think out of the box a little, cooking something out of what I would have usually do with the same sauce. Ah, turning each challenge into a creative venture. At least, that is what I tell myself ;p

So having some marinara in the freezer, armed with my jar of black bean sauce, chili and some udon noodles, I proceeded to make this quick and easy stir fry that got us having dinner within 15 minutes. Don't you love meals like that, easy to prepare AND clean up? Not to mention, budget friendly as well. This fed two of us (dinner and lunch next day) for just over $10.

Seafood Marinara- $4.50
Black Bean Sauce (1/4 jar)-$0.80?
Udon noodles- $2 (2 packets for the price)
 Assorted veges- $3
egg- $0.30

So total:  $10.60

Recently, Coles advertise their $10 meals for four as a way to entice consumers back to their chain of supermarkets. I love that idea because I strongly believe that it can be done! Perhaps not every night but certainly on average, we spend around $8-$15 on our dinner and lunch for the next day. There is no harm having a pot of soup and bread (see next post!) as a meal too.

It's what I love to do- having a quick and hearty meal knowing that it won't break the bank.. nor does it look cheap as well.

What other meals do you have when you want to go "budget"?

Black Bean Sauce Seafood Udon (serves 4) 
400 grams of Seafood marinara
2 packets of Udon noodles
1 tablespoon of garlic
1 cup of button mushrooms
2 carrots sliced
 1 onion sliced
1 chili sliced
1 red capsicum sliced

Saute onion, chili and garlic. Cook Marinara till done. Add the black bean sauce and toss well together with veges. Add udon noodles. Cook and toss through well. Serve hot hot hot!

Sharing my love with the awesome Presto Pasta team. Founded by Ruth and this week, it is hosted by Kirsten from Kirsten's Kitchen! Check it out.