Being broke doesn’t mean eating boring. You can upgrade cheap ingredients into meals that look and taste gourmet—without spending extra cash.

1. Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs with Roasted Potatoes & Spinach

Ingredients (Serves 2)

• Chicken thighs
• Potatoes
• Frozen spinach
• Butter
• Garlic, minced
• Paprika
• Salt & black pepper

1️⃣ Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Cut potatoes into wedges, toss with butter, salt, and paprika. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes. 2️⃣ While potatoes roast, heat a pan over medium-high heat. Melt butter and add chicken thighs skin-side down. 3️⃣ After 5 minutes, flip chicken and add minced garlic to the pan. Cook another 5-7 minutes until crispy. 4️⃣ Sauté spinach in the same pan with butter, garlic, and a pinch of salt. 5️⃣ Plate it up: Arrange chicken on a plate with crispy potatoes and garlicky spinach.

2. Crispy Tuna Croquettes with Dijon Dressing

Ingredients (Makes 6 Croquettes)

• Canned tuna
• Breadcrumbs
• Egg
• Mayonnaise
• Dijon mustard
• Garlic powder
• Salt & pepper
• Oil for frying

1️⃣ Mix tuna, breadcrumbs, egg, mayo, Dijon, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Form into small patties. 2️⃣ Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Fry croquettes for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. 3️⃣ Make a quick Dijon sauce: Mix mayo, Dijon mustard, and a splash of lemon juice. 4️⃣ Serve with a drizzle of Dijon sauce on top.

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3. Coconut Rice & Spiced Beans (Caribbean-Style)

Ingredients (Serves 3)

• Rice
• Canned beans (black or kidney)
• Coconut milk
• Salt
• Cumin
• Chili powder
• Garlic, minced

1️⃣ Cook rice in coconut milk + water + salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. 2️⃣ Heat a pan, add beans, garlic, cumin, and chili powder. Stir over medium heat for 5 minutes. 3️⃣ Serve rice in a bowl and top with spiced beans.

4. Poached Eggs on Garlic Butter Toast

Ingredients (Serves 1)

• Eggs
• Bread
• Butter
• Garlic
• Vinegar (for poaching)

1️⃣ Bring a pot of water to a simmer (not boiling). Add a splash of vinegar. 2️⃣ Crack an egg into a small bowl. Gently slide it into the water. 3️⃣ Let the egg cook for 3 minutes, then remove with a slotted spoon. 4️⃣ Toast bread & rub a garlic clove over it. Spread butter on top. 5️⃣ Place poached eggs on the toast, sprinkle with salt & black pepper.

5. Caramelized Banana & Peanut Butter Dessert

Ingredients (Serves 2)

• Banana
• Butter
• Cinnamon
• Honey or sugar
• Peanut butter

1️⃣ Slice banana & heat a pan on medium heat. 2️⃣ Melt butter in the pan & add banana slices. Sprinkle with cinnamon & honey. 3️⃣ Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until golden & caramelized. 4️⃣ Serve in a bowl, drizzle with peanut butter.