Caitríona Redmond: How to make my ginger and garlic pork meatballs with noodles

Plus: figuring out the budget for back-to-school — it makes sense as some things are cheaper to buy now

Pic: iStock

Why on earth would I be chatting about going back to school in May? 

The answer is simple, some of the items I need to get the kids to school in five months' time are cheaper now. 

Yes, I have to figure out how much they may grow over the summer, and they do grow like weeds on the holidays. Still, making an informed guess will save me an awful lot of money.

Warmer clothing has been reduced by as much as half price or more in popular online stores. I’m thinking about ski jackets which will withstand the chill and wetness of a dark Winter morning and thermals. 

Retailers convert their stores to Summer products in the Spring and now is the time to pick up a bargain if you can.

The honey season is about to begin and as soon as I can get some local honey I will stock up. 

I love having honey on hand for seasonal hayfever, coughs and colds through the winter, and also as a natural sweetener.

I’ve memorised all our bills, know which date they come out of the bank account on and the amounts they’re meant to be. 

Of course, I know when essential payments are going to fall, like child benefit, and their amounts.

The list is full of extra things that we need to pay for; some are items that we can expect like “back to school” expenses, birthdays and insurance for the car. 

Other items are ones that I have no control over like needing to repair essential equipment. I check the bank account every morning to make sure that I’m on track, count the bills, and tot up my school shopping list as I go around the shops.

There are 15 weeks or so to go until school starts back. By picking up small items in a piecemeal way I can ease the cost into my weekly shopping budget. This week I might get copybooks, next week it could be socks, the following it’s a lunchbox.

It does feel like I’m paying for something extra for 52 weeks of the year so I’ve increased my shopping budget slightly as a result. 

When the Summer holidays come around the two boys will eat me out of house and home because it’s a proven fact that kids on holidays eat twice as much as kids who go to school every day.

It’s not that I need to buy everything brand new either. The school group Whatsapps and local Facebook groups are proving a great resource for picking up nearly brand new pieces of uniform and other essential kit. I go to bed at night mentally ticking off the items off the to-do list.

It might feel like an elephant now, but one bite at a time, I’m chipping away at what we need. It’s not that long ago that the bills weren’t paid and I was struggling to sleep let alone think more than a day ahead.

Home Truths

Cleaning out the kitchen is good for the head. Actually, it’s also good for the wallet.

With the warmer days ahead it’s a good idea to make sure your fridge is in tip-top working shape. Empty the entire contents and gently clean the fridge with a damp cloth and a basin of water with bread soda (bicarbonate of soda). Then dry off the fridge with a tea towel. 

When you return the food to the fridge, make sure that your vegetables and fruit are in the crisper drawer and dairy products are at the top of the fridge where it is coolest. 

The door of the fridge is best for sauces and condiments only. Wipe down the seals on the fridge last and this will help keep the fridge at an even temperature all through the summer. Keeping the fridge in good condition will save you money on energy.

When the kitchen is clean and the machines I use are in great condition I find it easier to move around the workspace. I know where everything is and I’m less prone to go shopping for impulse items or overspend.

Ginger and garlic pork meatballs with noodles

recipe by:Caitriona Redmond

An easy family dinner whipped up in under an hour

Servings

4

Preparation Time

 15 mins

Cooking Time

 25 mins

Total Time

 40 mins

Course

 Main

Ingredients

• 100ml water

• 200g breadcrumbs

• 1 mild chilli

• 3 handfuls of fresh coriander (including the stalks)

• 5 spring onions

• 2 tbsp minced garlic and ginger paste

• 400g pork mince

• 1 tsp each of salt and white pepper

• 250g dried rice noodles

• 2 tbsp soy sauce

• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced

• 1 red pepper

Method

1. Place the breadcrumbs into a large bowl with the water, stir and allow the water to soak into the breadcrumbs.

2. Blitz together the chilli, coriander, spring onions, and minced garlic and ginger paste until you get a fine paste.

3. I use a stick blender to do this but you can of course chop it finely.

4. Add the spice paste to the soaked breadcrumbs and then add pork mince.

5. Season with salt and pepper then stir well until fully combined.

6. Bring a litre of water to a slow simmer in a large saucepan.

7. Shape the meat mixture into small golf-ball sized meatballs and add to the simmering hot water.

8. Cover the saucepan and allow to cook for 10 minutes before adding the dried noodles, soy sauce, and chopped vegetables.

9. Cover again and simmer for a further five minutes.

10. Serve the meatballs and noodles in a large bowl with plenty of extra fresh coriander or green herbs on top.