How eating together saves money

During my childhood in South Africa, we had this thing called potkos, which means ‘food for the road’. It’s usually a pile of leftover food packed into Tupperware containers that lasts for days and days (which means it’s not for the road, after all). At some point during the week, fridges in South Africa are usually filled with ‘potkos’ from family gatherings where everyone cooks meals to share. 

Back then, Grandma usually cooked for our extended family gatherings. She loved to do it not just because she was a food wizard but because she could stretch the life of ingredients grown or bought on special and turn them into abundance. Her deep pots were her pride and joy, and they sat simmering on the stove from the wee hours until all the guests had arrived for lunch. Her kitchen was a place of gratitude where she displayed her cooking prowess and shared what she had. It was essential to her that she had enough to feed everybody and that nothing went to waste. She even used to ask the local priest (who was also at the table) to “please bless my pots so that I will always have enough food to share.” Such was her perspective on food – it was to be given to others.  

Sure enough, those blessings worked because out of the bubbling pots came mouthwatering curries, stews, roasts and soups overflowing onto plates and into Tupperware containers. No one, not even the family dog, went without something to eat or something to take home to store for later. Over the following days, when everyone was tucking into their potkos, she would receive many phone calls expressing gratitude for those hearty leftovers. 

If you jump into the culinary timeline, you’ll find people from all times sitting down to eat together. Lunch alfresco, dinner by the hearth, breakfast on the kitchen bench and even stews by the campfire were all opportunities for humans to encircle the meal, eat it together and reinforce familial bonds. Traditions across the globe have continued this deeply-rooted practice because food is our primal survival need, and sharing it is a supreme act of love and care. From the smallest meals to the grandest of events, a table of food has little meaning without people around it sharing the dishes. 

How to share the costs of food

These days we can’t expect Grandma (or Grandpa) to do all the cooking. The rising cost of groceries is a burden that shouldn’t be placed on their shoulders. But families can take inspiration from those nostalgic gatherings and reinvent the way we make and share food. However, how will we feed everyone when food costs are rising every week? Simple. We will eat together. 

Start a long-running gathering

1. Plan a long-running gathering of family or friends. This could be once a month or even once a fortnight. 
2. Ask each person to pick a recipe they know well and enjoy eating.
3. Ask them to make two batches of that recipe and bring them to the gathering. By cooking two batches, there will be enough for everyone to eat at the table and enough to separate into portions for others to take home.
4. On the gathering day, have each person bring reusable containers to share and store food.  

By sharing the food preparation and the costs, you’re bound to money because although we may cook only two batches of one dish, a plethora of portions and flavours will come home and feed us for at least a few days. It’s an act that strengthens bonds and displays thoughtfulness and consideration for those who eat with us. 

So, start planning your long-running gathering of loved ones and spread the costs of food between you. You’ll cook up a storm and bask in wonderful company, and have a fridge full of delicious potkos to enjoy the following week. 

Big-batch recipes to try

This slow-cooker seafood chowder feeds 10 and can be cooked in the slow cooker or on the stove top. Use a pre-made marinara mix to make it super easy.

This corned beef casserole feeds 8 and turns leftover corned beef into a hearty meal that will keep the wallet happy.

This creamy chicken casserole feeds 5 and takes just 25 minutes to prepare and cook!

Serve up a delicious Mexican chicken casserole made with the addition of beans, vegetables, some mild spices and lots of gooey cheese It serves 6 and is perfect with lime wedges and guacamole.

This Hawaiian meatball and baked bean casserole serves 8 and has the addition of sweet pineapple which pairs perfectly with the moist pork meatballs.

This creamy vegetable and rice bake serves 6 and is a great way to use up leftover vegies before they go off, saving you even more money because you’re not wasting food.

Packed full of roasted vegies, tomato pesto and cheese, even meat-lovers will love this vegetarian lasagne. It serves 6. 

This tasty cauliflower and sweet potato curry serves 6 and takes just 40 minutes to prepare. It’s great as part of an Indian banquet or for those not eating meat.

Use chicken instead of beef in this hearty bourguignon – a rich, French-style casserole that serves 6 and is flavoured with red wine, bacon and herbs.

Everybody loves a mornay, and this chicken mornay bake is a delicious reason why. Serving 6, it uses leftover roast chook meaning nothing will go to waste and your wallet will be happy.

This mouthwatering slow cooker French onion chicken serves 6. It takes just 10 minutes to prepare before stewing in the slow cooker for up to 6 hours. 

This garlic fried rice is a winner with children and adults alike. It makes enough for 6 and can be served alongside creamy curries or delicious Asian-style dishes. 

More recipes

101 potluck recipes for your next family gathering