Jamie Oliver, the tireless champion of accessible cooking, returns with another round of budget-friendly recipes. In this episode of Jamie’s £1 Wonders & Money-Saving Meals, he aims to demonstrate that delicious food doesn’t require a second mortgage. Oliver tackles everything from a no-cook pasta sauce (yes, you read that right) made with jarred olives to a more traditional roast chicken dinner, albeit one featuring the more affordable thighs and drumsticks.
Oliver also takes on the takeaway titans, creating his own version of kebabs and flatbreads, which will likely be healthier and cheaper than anything delivered to your door. And for dessert? Air-fryer stuffed apples with custard, clocking in at under £1 per serving. This is truly the culinary equivalent of alchemy. I’m starting to wonder, what can’t this man do with an air fryer?
This episode’s emphasis on store cupboard staples is a timely reminder that fresh ingredients aren’t always essential for a tasty meal. Oliver’s ingenuity in transforming pantry staples into culinary masterpieces is what sets him apart. He’s the MacGyver of the kitchen, crafting something out of nothing with a dash of olive oil and a can-do attitude. Whether these recipes will actually feed a family of four for under a fiver remains to be seen, but Oliver’s enthusiasm is undeniably infectious.
Jamie’s £1 Wonders & Money-Saving Meals airs Monday, February 3, 2025 on Channel 4.