I personally think “budget cooking” is a bunch of nonsense that preys on the vulnerable

I think this sub is the perfect example of that. People here claim they are so poor they have to live on instant ramen and rice and beans, and then they go ahead and post their “budget recipes” that include 3-4 specialized ingredients that you can’t substitute like coriander in tacos or saffron in paella. <br><br>This stuff is not cheap. Like good luck finding a packet of saffron for less than $7 in a Lidl or Aldi in Eastern Europe. Why are you making this? Why are you calling this a “budget recipe”? You don’t have the means to afford this. It’s like you want to pretend you’re something you’re not. You want to pretend that you’re just like middle class people who enjoy cooking except you’re just poor. You are not, you are uniquely disadvantaged by your poverty and your lack of a kitchen and basic staples and tools. You’ll never be able to participate in that without making huge sacrifices and risking your survival. <br><br>If you want to feed yourself as cheaply as possible, you would not be making elaborate paella with saffron, you would be making potato based soups and stews with potatoes, carrots, onions, and beans. With maybe some ham or bacon if you’re American or sausage if you’re European. You would not be making chili con carne, you would be making a carrot soup with some beans, or maybe potato and pea soup with a small amount of sausage. Or potato and onion fritters. With flatbread if you’re feeling fancy. None of this is difficult, but why would you bother? It’s not like it helps your situation, it’s something you have to do to survive, and it doesn’t get you anything.