In general I’m not in favour of buying pre-prepared veg but when it comes to stir-fries you’d be crazy not to. You simply couldn’t get the selection of vegetables you get in a pack for the same price if you bought them individually. The best value ones are the basic vegetable stir-fries which are usually around 70-80p. You can also save money by simply using a light soy sauce rather than a ready-made stir-fry sauce, most of which tend to be pretty vile.

Serves 2
Time: about 10 minutes
Cost: about £1-£1.25 a head

2 tbsp oil
1 x 300g bag stir fry vegetables
1 cooked chicken breast* skin removed and cut into thin strips (optional)
2 tbsp light soy sauce

Heat a wok or large frying pan until hot (about a minute or two). Pour in the oil and immediately tip in the vegetables and the chicken. Cook for a couple of minutes, stirring them so they don’t burn. Add about half a small glass (50ml) of water and cook until evaporated. Add the soy sauce and cook for a few seconds more. Taste, adding more soy if you think it needs it. Serve with boiled rice.

* You could, of course use raw rather than cooked chicken in which case fry it in the oil first for a couple of minutes and then add the veg.

* If you want to make a veggie version replace the chicken with a handful of cashew nuts

 

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