July 2008 Grocery Challenge

Hi Everyone,

just popped on to update my sig. im sorry i have not had time to read todays thread, and a friend has just turned up. will try to later.

i think im under budget this month, but im not 100% sure if everything has gone on. this is my first month and im still not sure wha hubby is spending and where some of my cash goes. oh well im trying.

i did try to create a budget of some discription.... very very hard and scary....

car repairs xmas and birthdays etc if i allow for this i would be in overdraft every month. all we pay for is food bills ect no takeaways ever a meal out is macdonalds for the kids once a month at the most. CAN ANYONE IDENTIFY?

what can i do.

well i suppose thats why im here.

my budget finishes on sun. i only need milk until then. my freezers x2 are nearly full and a lot in the cuboards as well. i might try £400 for August although i will be feeding 9 everyday for that. breakfast lunches and eve meal!!!

take care karen

Hi
Here is the recipe I mentioned earlier, hope it makes sense (it is one of my own so sorry if its jumbled- not had to write it down before). Its great for using up extra mince or mince/lentil mix and you can use whatever mediterranean veg you have around eg mushrooms, peppers, courgettes, onions etc. You could add some chilli and kidney beans to this to make it a Mexican version (I am adding some chilli tomorrow to leftover mince mix to have spicy pasta).

Mediterrean Mince and Potato 'Pie' (for 2-3 servings) ideal for using up extra mince or mince/lentil mix.

• 4-5 largeish potatoes (if bakers then 2 would likely be enough for this size).
• 2-4 small cupfulls cooked mince (or mince/lentil mix)
• Half red or orange pepper (or 5 small ones)- cut into chunks
• 1 courgette- cut into chunks
• 1/2-1 red onion (depending on size)- cut into chunksHalf tin plum toms, or equivalent amount of roasted toms (I used the ones I had roasted up with some basil that had been frozen)
• 1-2 tbsp tomato puree
• good glug worcestershire sauce
• beef stock/beef stock cube and water to mix (I used a Knorr cube this time)
• good handful grated cheese (I used a mix of chedd/parmesan)
• small handful fresh basil/oregano (you could use dried of these- use less, or use italian dried herbs instead)

1. Cook the mince (mince/lentil mix as you normally would)- this is ideal for using up a batch of pre-made mince mix if you have it.
2. Cook the potatoes, either whole or in large chunks, and allow to cool.
3. Fry (or roast if you have time) the chunked peppers, courgettes and onions. Drain and add to the mince mix along with stock to make it just slightly thicker than spag bol consistency. (I used roasted peppers I already had in the freezer- straight from frozen, and fried the onion/courgette)
4. Let this simmer gently together for 5-10 mins and then add the tomatoes, tom puree, wors sauce, and season to taste.
5. Then add all of this mix to a small casserole dish, so that you have a reasonable layer on the bottom.
6. Then slice the potatoes into approx 1 inch thick 'scallops' and layer these over the top of the mince mix (don't worry about overlap).
7. Sprinkle the cheese on top.
8. Heat through in the oven at 200 for approx 1/2 hr.
9. Serve alone or with a handful of mixed veg.

PS The iced buns are moreish- I have eaten at least 5 today already :shhh:

I made Apple Flapjacks last night and they are good. I think I would double the amount of flapjack next time though. Or try this recipe fom Ocado

Been to worcester on wednesday. The butchers close to LAkelands was selling
15 eggs for £1.35. Very good price me thinks!

Just popped in to update my sig, but thought I would also say that Mr M has Muller corner 6 packs on offer 2 for £2 - normally £2.89 a pack - could make a special treat for the school hols.