What if I told you that you could make a delicious, hot, and incredibly satisfying meal for your family for around R12 a serving?

A meal that warms you from the inside out, is packed with nutrients, and requires minimal effort during your busy week. It sounds too good to be true, but it’s not.

This isn’t about cutting corners on flavour or quality. It’s about being smart. It’s about leveraging one amazing recipe to solve three of winter’s biggest challenges: saving money, saving time, and staying healthy.

Here’s the simple math that will change your perspective on winter cooking.

The Rands and Cents: Let’s Talk Savings

Most importantly, this will save you serious money. Let’s break down the approximate cost of making a large pot of this soup (enough for about 8-10 hearty servings).

Ingredient	Estimated Cost (ZAR)
1 (500g) packet of split peas	R 25.00
Soup bones or chicken pieces	R 30.00
Half a bunch of leeks	R 12.00
Carrots (500g)	R 13.00
3 turnips	R 10.00
Total Estimated Cost	R 90.00

For R90, you get a pot that can provide 8 generous meals.

That’s less than R12 per meal!

For a family of four, you could have two full, nourishing dinners for less than the price of a single takeaway pizza. The numbers speak for themselves.

How is this possible? Let me introduce you to your new winter superpower: The Weekly Soup Strategy.

The idea is simple: you invest about an hour one day a week (say, Sunday afternoon) to cook one large pot of this incredible Cape Malay Pea Soup. The benefits ripple through your entire week.

• 1. Cook Once, Eat for Days. You’ve just sorted out several meals. Portion and freeze for instant, no-fuss dinners on nights you’re too tired to even think. Time saved? Hours.
• 2. Slash Your Electricity Bill. Cooking one big pot uses far less electricity than firing up the stove every single night. In a time of high tariffs, this is a significant saving.
• 3. The Perfect Work Lunch. A flask of hot, savoury soup is a fantastic, caffeine-free way to warm up during the day. It’s a healthy and cheap alternative to buying lunch.
• 4. Zero Food Waste. No more discovering forgotten veggies in the back of the fridge. Soup is forgiving! And because you freeze it, it won’t spoil.
• 5. Healthy & Low-Calorie. Packed with fibre and nutrients, this soup keeps you full and satisfied. It’s perfect for weight management, especially if you make the meat-free version.

Most importantly, it’s real, nourishing food that tastes like a hug in a bowl.

A Hug in a Bowl That’s Also Good for Your Waistline

Beyond the incredible savings, this soup is a powerhouse of nutrition. For those of us on a health journey or keeping an eye on calories, this soup is a true champion. The vegetarian version, in particular, is a diet-friendly dream.

A generous serving clocks in at approximately 250-300 calories, making it a perfect light lunch or a guilt-free dinner. But it’s not just about what it lacks (calories), it’s about what it’s packed with.

Benefit	Why It Matters For Your Diet
Low in Calories	Helps you stay in a calorie deficit for weight management without feeling hungry or deprived.
High in Fibre	Split peas are fibre superstars! Fibre keeps you feeling full and satisfied for hours, crushing snack cravings.
Packed with Plant Protein	Protein is essential for muscle maintenance and also contributes to the feeling of fullness.
Nutrient-Dense	You get a huge dose of vitamins (from carrots, leeks) and minerals for very few calories. It’s an efficient way to nourish your body.

*Estimates are for a standard serving of the vegetarian version and can vary based on exact ingredients and portion sizes.

The Recipe: Hearty Cape Malay-Style Pea Soup

Ready to unlock these savings and flavours? This recipe is a flavour bomb, drawing on the classic Cape Malay profile of sweet, savoury, and fragrant spices. It’s simple, forgiving, and utterly delicious.

Yields: 8-10 servings
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 60-90 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 (500g) packet of dried split peas, rinsed
• 500g soup bones (beef or lamb) OR 2-3 chicken carcasses/thighs
• Half a large bunch of leeks, washed and roughly chopped
• 4 medium carrots, peeled and roughly chopped
• 3 medium turnips, peeled and roughly chopped
• 3-4 cloves of garlic, crushed
• 2-4 fresh chillies, to your taste (optional, but recommended!)
• 6 whole cloves
• 6 whole allspice berries
• 1 heaped teaspoon of turmeric (borrie)
• 2 litres of water or stock (chicken or vegetable)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• A drizzle of olive oil or butter for sautéing

Instructions:

1. Rinse the Peas: Give your split peas a good rinse under cold water.
2. Build the Flavour Base: In a large pot, heat oil or butter over medium heat. Sauté the chopped leeks for 5-7 minutes until soft. Add the crushed garlic and chillies and cook for another minute.
3. Combine Everything: Add the rinsed split peas, chopped carrots, turnips, soup bones (or chicken), cloves, allspice, and turmeric (borrie) to the pot.
4. Simmer to Perfection: Pour in the 2 litres of water or stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for at least 60-90 minutes.
5. The Finishing Touches: The peas should be very soft and the meat tender. Remove the bones/chicken. Shred any meat off the bones and return it to the pot. Discard the bones.
6. Blend (or Don’t!): For a creamier texture, use an immersion blender to blend some or all of the soup. For a rustic soup, leave it chunky.
7. Season and Serve: Taste and season generously with salt and pepper. Serve hot with crusty bread.

Pro-Tips:

• Vegetarian/Vegan Option: Simply omit the meat and use a good quality vegetable stock. The soup is still incredibly flavourful!
• Freezing: Cool the soup completely, then portion it into freezer-safe containers. It will keep for up to 3 months.
• Garnish: Top with fresh coriander, a swirl of plain yoghurt, or crispy fried onions.

This pot of soup isn’t just food; it’s freedom from the daily stress of “what’s for dinner?” and a welcome relief for your winter budget.

Now I’d love to hear from you! Will you be giving this weekly soup strategy a try?

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