Setting up for old style

Miss_Kitty_Fantastico · 13 January 2008 at 1:11PM

I know that there will be info in the forum on this but i havent managed to find what im looking for.

I wondered if a kind person could point me in the right direction - i just don't seem to have the knack of using search

I am looking when i get paid to set up my store cupboard with tins and spices etc to help me on the way to cutting my shopping bills down.

I have made a lot of progress this year already but with bump on the way and maternity pay about to kick in - i have decided its time to get tougher and stop relying on shop packet mixes etc

Any help very gratefully received

Hope everyone is having a good sunday despite the weather

purpleivy · 13 January 2008 at 1:17PM

Hi

Rather than set up your store cupboard with herbs and spices when you get paid, I would just get the ones that you need each week for each new recipe you do. That way, you'll have fresher stuff in (they do lose their piquancy - big word!) and you don't have big initial outlay. You may also get some that you never use.

I always get mine at the Indian and Continental shop for the best buys and good variety. Packs are usually at least twice the size and/or half the price. they tend to come in cellophane bags, so you might need to keep some little jars (mustard, spices, small jam pots etc) or ziplock litlle bags to keep your cupboard clean and your stuff fresh.

Hope this helps

Miss_Kitty_Fantastico · 13 January 2008 at 1:25PM

purpleivy wrote: »

Hi

Rather than set up your store cupboard with herbs and spices when you get paid, I would just get the ones that you need each week for each new recipe you do. That way, you'll have fresher stuff in (they do lose their piquancy - big word!) and you don't have big initial outlay. You may also get some that you never use.

I always get mine at the Indian and Continental shop for the best buys and good variety. Packs are usually at least twice the size and/or half the price. they tend to come in cellophane bags, so you might need to keep some little jars (mustard, spices, small jam pots etc) or ziplock litlle bags to keep your cupboard clean and your stuff fresh.

Hope this helps

Good advice - Thanks purpleivy

LJM · 13 January 2008 at 9:27PM

id definately say shop around too see which shops have the better bargains,i tend to do my weekly shop in 2-3 shops and ive cut my shopping bill down quite alot,baked beans i will say stock up if you like them that is as they always make a quick meal and you can throw them in most meals to bulk it out

bluemoon_3 · 13 January 2008 at 10:07PM

Miss_Kitty_Fantastico wrote: »

I am looking when i get paid to set up my store cupboard with tins and spices etc to help me on the way to cutting my shopping bills down.

In the short term, don't worry if you don't have the exact herbs and spices that a recipe asks for. Get a tub of 'mixed herbs' - this will usually do for most traditional British recipes such as stews, casseroles, etc and will stand in for anything you see listed in the ingredients (usually thyme, sage, etc). If you like pasta, get a tub of 'Italian herbs' to stand in for basil, oregano, etc. For Indian and Middle Eastern type cooking, get a tub of medium or mild curry powder and perhaps some chilli powder.
Edited to add: You could also get some 'mixed spice' to stand in for cinnamon, nutmeg, etc in baking.
These should get you going, then you can start adding in specific herbs and spices when you find out which ones crop up again and again in the recipes you use.

I'm just going to see if I can find a old thread I think might help you . . .

Okay, found it - click here.

Hope this helps. :j

truly1 · 13 January 2008 at 11:32PM

I would stock up on tinned tomatoes - chopped If they are on offer, or more economically, plum tomatoes that you can liquidise yourself easily.

xx

Miss_Kitty_Fantastico · 14 January 2008 at 12:51AM

thanks everyone - for lots of brilliant advice

bluemoon - thanks for digging out that thread for me

tried to search but couldnt get it

Pink. · 14 January 2008 at 12:15PM

Hi kitty,

As others have said it's best to build up your storecupboard over a period of time and everyone's essential items will differ depending on their needs/wants/circumstances.

These older threads might give you some ideas:

Help!! Basic shopping list needed

1st ever shop... And doing it OS!

Your fully comprehensive storecupboard

store cupboard essentials?

Storecupboard list - might be useful

Emergency food tin

OS store cupboard basics

Pink

Miss_Kitty_Fantastico · 14 January 2008 at 5:39PM

thanks pink-winged thats great

just trying to get organised for the bump arriving and maternity leave seemed the perfect time to go through all the old threads etc for divine inspiration

PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING

Setting up for old style

Comments

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

🚀 Getting Started

Categories

Is this how you want to be seen?

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free