Incredibly Cheap Eats -- Samosas

And don't forget, in this era of belt-tightening and culinary retrenchment, the lowly samosa. These golden rhomboidal fritters, filled with a fortifying mixture potatoes and peas, making them both vegetarian and vegan, were probably inspired during the colonial era by Cornish pasties, which were in turn inspired by Spanish empanadas. At $1 each, two make a magnificent meal, especially if you nip off one corner and pour in the yogurt-cilantro sauce provided alongside. In the version from Tribeca's Pakistan Tea House, you'll find a few flakes of red pepper in the filling. 176 Church Street, 212-240-9800