Here’s the soup I’m making for 26 guests arriving tomorrow. Does it cost a fortune ? No. Is it made with mostly UK grown ingredients? Yes. Why don’t people make this and save money? Probably because children are not learning (nor did their parents) how to make cheap, nutritious meals from natural ingredients
Lentil soup using onions, potatoes, carrots, garlic, celery, some powdered stock (osem) black pepper and the non UK ingredient – red lentils. These are now being grown in the UK and I have grown a very small quantity here some years ago as part of an organic charity’s research project. I also grew some chick peas in the and trial.
Ps don’t tell the guests what they’re having !
gfreedmanblog 
I also made a big pot of veg soup last evening – half now in the freezer and rest in the fridge for my lunches over next couple of days.
Again 98% local ingredients – 2 med onions, garlic clove, 3 small carrots, 1 leek, remains of some black curly kale, a sweet potato and Italian tomato purée. Used a chicken stock cube and seasoning.
So easy to make and the best way of using up some (past their freshest) vegetables!
Think there were other veg thrown in but can’t remember what else I found in bottom of the fridge!
Yes you can basically throw in anything and it makes a tasty cheap and nutritious meal