Beef stew is actually quite an expensive meal to make. I usually add lots of red wine, herbs, nice cuts of beef etc etc. However, in keeping with the channel's new direction, I have created a beef stew that costs around £5 and will feed a family of 4 with plenty of leftovers. Obviously the price will fluctuate depending on where you shop, what deals you can find and of course how much you spend on the main ingredient, the meat. I used some yellow sticker reduced beef mince for this, but shop around and see what you can find for the best price you can afford.

To make my budget beef stew you will need:

• 750g of beef mince

• 2 small onions

• 3 medium carrots

• 2 large potatoes

• About half a diced swede

• 2 bay leaves

• A few splashes of Worcester sauce

• Dumpling mix (optional)

• About 1.2 litre of beef stock or enough to cover

• Salt & pepper

• A little oil for frying the beef