We all like to indulge in 'the finer things in life' from time to time. Eating out at restaurants and/or getting takeaways are just two of the ways we can do this. However, fine dining often comes at a cost - a cost that many of us simply can't afford.

Nevertheless, having an enjoyable meal doesn't have to cost you a small fortune - so to help you enjoy your food without spending too much of your money, here's a selection of useful money-saving recipes provided by the head chef at Think Money, Mark McGinley.

Mr McGinley, originally from Gweedore in County Donegal, has 20 years' experience as a chef, so rest assured that these recipes will appeal to your stomach every bit as much as your budget.

Starter: Smoked Salmon Fish Cakes with Scallions and Toasted Soda Bread

Serves: 4

Ingredients and average prices:

• 1 packet of smoked salmon trimmings (200g) - £0.96
• 1 medium onion - £0.17
• 250g potatoes - £0.32
• 2 eggs - £0.27
• 6 spring onions - £0.87
• Soda bread - £1.29

Total cost of ingredients for starter: £3.88

Other general ingredients that you may have at home:

• Vegetable oil
• Milk
• Breadcrumbs
• Salt and pepper

Preparation and cooking time: 15-20 minutes

Method:

1. Peel, boil and mash the potatoes.
2. Finely chop the onion and soften in a frying pan with a little vegetable oil. Then coarsely chop the spring onions.
3. Beat the two eggs in a large bowl.
4. Add the smoked salmon trimmings, mashed potato, onions and spring onions to the bowl and mix together. Add salt and pepper while mixing and shape into eight small fish cakes.
5. Dip the fish cakes in a little milk, then roll them in the breadcrumbs.
6. Pan-fry until golden brown on both sides.
7. Thinly slice the soda bread, toast and serve. 

Main course: Oven Braised Chicken Casserole

Serves: 4

Ingredients and average prices:

• 8 chicken legs - £4.37
• 1 onion - £0.17
• 2 carrots - £0.15
• 1 leek - £0.54
• 3 sticks of celery - £0.98
• 1 bunch of parsley - £0.76
• 1 head of Savoy cabbage - £0.54
• 300g new potatoes - £0.49
• Chicken stock - £1.09
• Corn flour - £0.47

Total cost of ingredients for main course: £9.56

Other ingredients that you may have at home:

• Vegetable oil
• Salt and pepper

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time: 2 hours

Method:

1. Cut the chicken legs into thighs and drumsticks, then seal until golden brown in an oven-proof dish and season with salt and pepper.
2. Cut the onion, celery, carrot, cabbage and potatoes into half-inch cubes.
3. Add the chopped vegetables and chicken to a pan and fry for 2 minutes until the vegetables have softened.
4. Season again with salt and pepper.
5. Add 2 pints of chicken stock to the pan and bring to boil on the stove.
6. Place ingredients back into the oven-proof dish and cover with foil.
7. Braise the casserole in the oven for 2 hours at 190 degrees Celsius/ 375 degrees Fahrenheit/ gas mark 7.
8. Remove from oven after the 2 hours, uncover and add the corn flour to the sauce to thicken.
9. Coarsely chop the parsley and add to sauce. Season again to taste, and serve.

Dessert: Chilled Chocolate Mousse

Serves: 4

Ingredients and average prices:  

• 200g dark, milk or white chocolate - ranging from £0.29 - £1.19
• 4 eggs - £0.54
• 50g caster sugar - £0.74
• 200ml whipping cream - £0.85

Total cost of ingredients for dessert (based on cheapest ingredients): £2.42

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooling time: 4 hours

Method:

1. Place the chocolate in a bowl and melt over a pan of boiling water (Bain Marie).
2. Split the 4 eggs into yolks and whites, then whisk the whites to a fluffy meringue.
3. Whisk the yolks and sugar together until light and fluffy.
4. Add the melted chocolate to the yolks and sugar and fold together.
5. Whisk the cream until whipped to a 'peak' (when you lift the whisk out of the cream vertically, the cream should form a peak).
6. Fold the cream into the chocolate mix, then fold in the 'egg white meringue' mix.
7. Separate into tall glasses and chill for 4 hours.
8. After removing them from the fridge, you can dress the top of the mousse as you please - for example, with grated chocolate, strawberries or mint leaves.

If you want to flavour the mousse further, you could add liqueurs, orange rind, etc. during preparation.

The total average cost of this 3-course meal is £15.86, which works out at around £5.28 per course, and just over £3.96 per person for the entire meal (based on four people).

All the recipes here have been designed to fit even the smallest of budgets, so they shouldn't cost you too much to make. And if you find you've made too much, don't waste it - just freeze it and enjoy it later.