Dedicated to my Hero of the Hour

For those of you who tuned into Channel 5 this week you will have witnessed the somewhat lively debate about the welfare system in this country called The Big Benefits Row... and a row it was indeed! If you haven't watched it, get it on Catchup and have a look. Whatever you think about people on welfare and using food banks, you can't blame anyone trying to make our lives easier by coming up with some money-saving, healthy ideas to keep us going through these hard times.
Enter Jack Monroe (www.agirlcalledjack.com) who was there to fight the corner of those who find themselves really needing those services. Now she has a successful blog, recipe book and column writing about how to get the most out of your food, and is now appearing - well deservedly - in Sainsbury's adverts, with delicious recipes on a budget. Makes a change from seeing Jamie's smug face on there! Jack was on the Big Benefits Row with an aim to making people aware that those using the food banks don't want to be using them, but needs must. When you have young children to feed and have to survive yourself on so little, why wouldn't you use them? Edwina Currie, however, sees it differently, and admitted live on tv that she felt no shame that this country has been reduced to being so reliant on such resources. Instead of letting Jack explain how they work, she attacked her newly earned success and her family - with hilarious results - and made herself look like an utter fool. It just proves how out of touch she and her party really are with The Real World.

Jack, complete with tattoos!

Since this programme, I have talked about Jack to pretty much anyone who will listen to me! I just think she's wonderful - Jack, You Are Wonderful!! - and so I decided to make one of her recipes this weekend to share with you all as a toast to her campaign and what she stands for.

Funnily enough, it's getting to the end of the month and money is quite tight this weekend. Jack's carrot, kidney bean and cumin burgers require ingredients that tend to hang around in your veg draw or in your dry store cupboards, and to my utter delight I had them all!
Follow the recipe in the link above, and this is what you get:

The photo's don't do them justice, but they are so delicious! I sadly didn't have salad left to have with them, but in a wrap with a little spread of mayonnaise they made a great option for a light Sunday afternoon snack.

The recipe states to use 1 carrot, but I had 2 hanging around so I used them both up, making 6 burgers from the mix. I plan on freezing these 4 for another time. They're reeeeally yummy, give them a try!

I hope this post doesn't come across too gushing! But whilst in the middle of a social work course, where all my original beliefs and morals are being systematically turned on their heads, this woman and her cause just make so much sense to me. She is one of many people out there who understand and recognise what it's like to work your damn butt off for what feels like so little back sometimes. I also completely believe that if poverty-stricken families were given vital education around how to cook and eat nutritiously and on a budget, we wouldn't be in as big a mess as we are. Bear in mind that a majority of Jack's recipes were created out of what she got given in those food bank parcels, and having worked with food bank recipients quite recently, I know that the parcels are put together to give as nutritionally balanced a meal as possible. They include the important food groups, but it's about knowing how to use them.

Spread the word, spread the love... and Fight The Power.

BB xx