Mimi Harrison’s online platform Beat the Budget has amassed hundreds of thousands of followers on Instagram, thanks to its fun and flavour-packed recipes that prove that cooking healthy, affordable meals doesn’t need to be boring.
Now with a cookbook of the same name, she has even more low-cost, energy-saving recipes and meal prep tips to share, with each meal in the book coming in at just £1.25 per portion. Ahead of its release on 8th June, The Happy Foodie caught up with Mimi to learn more about what inspired her to develop the Beat the Budget cookbook, how to make your weekly shop as efficient as possible, and who she would invite to her dream dinner party.
Discover Mimi Harrison’s upcoming book
Beat the Budget: Affordable Easy Recipes and Simple Meal Prep
Easy, flavour-packed recipes to take the stress out of meal times.
Feed your family and friends for just £1.25 per portion!
From soups and salads to one-pot wonders and weeknight winners.
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How would you sum up your upcoming cookbook, Beat the Budget?
My cookbook is all about keeping it simple in the kitchen without sacrificing on flavour. My hope is to reduce stress with your weekly shop by bringing down your shopping bill and reducing the hassle of thinking of budget-friendly recipes, weekly meal plans and shopping lists.
When developing the book, I constantly thought of the issues or questions that my followers have discussed when trying to stick to a budget and eat delicious food. Keeping this in my mind whilst cooking and developing, I feel that the book will provide a solution to lots of issues that crop up in the kitchen/supermarket.
Whether that’s how to meal prep and reheat dishes for the best results, how to switch out appliances to save energy or the struggle of making a weekly meal plan, I really hope that this book can act as a guide to stress-free, delicious cooking that doesn’t break the bank.
If you had to pick, which is your favourite recipe from the book and why?
Ah I feel like this is like choosing a favourite child! One of my favourites is definitely the Chorizo & Sweetcorn Ditalini. It’s so quick to make and the flavours tick so many boxes – it’s spicy, fresh, tangy and rich. So so good – if I may say so myself.
When it comes to cooking on a budget, what’s one tip you wish more people knew?
Never shop hungry and without a plan. I’d say never shop without a plan at all because impulse purchasing is a huge hurdle with budgeting, but impulse buying when hungry especially- wow that can be a bad combo! I love to plan my week’s shopping after a nice, healthy meal to have a fresh mind and get everything in order. Also, with your list, break it up into the supermarket sections (fresh fruit/veg, meat/dairy/fish, etc) so that you’re not walking back and forth, which leaves room for those sneaky impulse buys.
Who would your dream dinner party guest be?
Alison Roman is one of my fave cooks and I’d loooove to discuss all things food with her. She’s got such strong opinions on food and is so funny – I think I’d make the Spicy Butter & Tomato White Fish with veg as it feels fancy and looks like you’ve put in loads of effort without the stress.
And finally, which cookbooks are always within easy reach in your kitchen?
I love both of Nathan [Anthony]’s Bored of Lunch books (definitely not alone in saying this!). The dishes are simple yet delicious, which is everything that I want in a recipe.
Keen to get cooking? Discover some of our favourite recipes from Beat The Budget below.
