6 months on and still a penny not a £ to my name

Hi,
have just looked at your shopping bill, couple of ways to save if i'm not being too cheeky. Tell me to bog off if i am.

Batter mix - milk, eggs, plain flour and salt and pepper to season. I'm willing to bet you buy milk, eggs and salt and pepper are already in the cupboard at least. It works out far cheaper over time if you make your own. Also the same batter will make the yorkshire puds that you're currently buying.

Bolognese sauce - asda smart price tinned toms, i full tin of water, dried herbs, clove of garlic, tom paste if wanted but not strictly necessary, small chopped onion, add any veg to bulk out if wanted. If the kids don't like "bits" just mash or stick in a blender. You can make a huge pot of sauce and freeze portions to be taken out when needed.
Costs much less in the long run and tastes nicer than a jar. Better for you as well!

Asda cheese sauce - i bet you've already been buying cheese and milk. all you need to add is milk and plain flour plus a good knob of butter/marg. Salt and pepper to taste. If you've got any nutmeg it gives a really nice flavour but is not essential.
again you can freeze portions of this, will keep for about a month in the freezer and again works out cheaper over the month than buying cheese sauce mixes.

Hi Penny,

a good korma sauce as follows;

1 good sized banana mashed.
2 good tble spoons of ground almonds
either a small tub of full fat or half fat creme fraiche or a pot of single cream or a pot of natural yoghurt. ( the yoghurt tastes best but cream or creme fraiche are nice as well)
One small onion chopped finely
2 good size cloves of garlic either crushed or chopped finely
1 teaspoon of garam masala
2 teaspoons of mild curry powder or a large teaspoon of mild curry paste
1 small tin of coconut milk

fry the onion gently till clear, then add the garlic and all the spices.
Fry for a couple more minutes then add the banana.
After another minute or so add the yoghurt (or wjatever you're using) and the coconut milk.
Add the ground almonds.
Stir constantly for a couple of minutes then let the whole thing bubble away gently for about 10 - 15 mins.
add salt and pepper to taste.

For vegetable korma - you can either roast your chosen veg whilst the sauce is cooking and add a couple of minute before serving, or fry in a separate pan and add a couple of minutes before serving.
You can of course fry the veg with the onions but with some veg this can make them soggy. If you like them with a bite then do the veg separately.

For a chicken or lamb korma, cube the meat and add to the pan with the onion, simmer the sauce at the end for 15 - 20 minutes to ensure the meat is properly cooked.

Hi,

yes is fine to leave the banana out, the spices and the garlic etc will give enough flavour. The banana just gives it sweetness without being too sweet.
You could try a small spoon of honey if you have any instead.

The yoghurt works really well and yes, it does work out cheaper than cream.
some recipes state double cream, but single is fine as you would be cooking long enough to thicken the sauce.

flaked almonds are fine as well, you can put them in a plastic bag and wallop them with a rolling pin if you want smaller bits.
Toast them before using by dry frying in a frying pan until coloured and smelling lovely. Then add at the same time as all the spices.

Hi Penny2myName Just wanted to say I always read your posts. I think you do brilliantly with your budget especialy with your food budget. I used to be a single parent with 2 children. The money was tight but we managed I used to do a meal plan and stick to it just like you. I wish I could do it now. I really need to cut back on the shopping bill. Dont your children want extra's like cakes, biscuits, crisps, sweets? or do you make them yourself? If my 2 eldest boys 13yrs & 14yrs dont find anything to grab when they walk in, its OHHHHHHHHHHH IS THERE NOWT TO EAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



AMANI XXX