Feeling a little cash poor? These four affordable ingredient swaps will help you save money, and are just as tasty!

1. Make buttermilk with lemon juice
We rarely use the whole carton in one go anyway! By mixing 1 tbsp vinegar or lemon juice with every 1 cup milk, you can make the exact amount of buttermilk you need, on the cheap.

2. Replace mincemeat with lentils
Bobotie, meatballs or good ol’ spaghetti Bolognese – all of these meaty favourites can be made with more affordable plant-based protein. Lentils mimic the texture of mince and will take on whatever flavours you cook them with.

3. Quinoa over barley
Barley is a cheaper option that provides you with more fibre, nearly as much iron, and plenty of manganese, selenium and other phytonutrients. The only downside is that it contains gluten.

4. Use Chia seeds instead of flaxseeds
Ground-up (that way your body can absorb the nutrients), flaxseeds provide plenty of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. And they can be used to replace eggs in vegan cooking and baking, in the same way as chia seeds.