50p a day til Christmas - healthily?! Weezl's next challenge...

munchki

Hi Weezl, I have made lots of jams, chutneys that are all going into hampers for everyone for christmas along with hm quillow blankets, shirt for the guys and pampering bits for the girls and a bottle of wine an/or flavoured vodka. Going to france on a sun holiday in a couple weeks so will do a bit of booze buy at the same time on the way back. so much cheaper that way!!

Decided hampers were the best way this xmas as all the kids are paired up but one so family hampers and seperate mini hampers for grand kids. Got some lovely collaspable boxes made of fabric etc for 2 for £5 at matalan with attached lids. they are fantastic, just wish I could explain them better. really sturdy and not tacky looking at all

weezl74

Thanks shaz, I'll do that. Shall I put more sultanas in than sugar, IYSWIM? They're not quite as sweet as neat sugar!

Sorry to need hand-holding, but my common sense on cooking has nose dived a bit since being pregnant!

Sian_the_Green

Weezl one of the ladies from work is pregnant with her 2nd baby and she says that you get a "mum head" on which means you just can't think in quite the same way about things. I'm positive it's totally worth it though

After the massive amount of marrow chutney that was made I have been passing on some of the jars to other people which has gone down very well. Still have about 6 pints left though. Guess what my friends will be getting for Christmas!

Beki

Weezl (or anyone in the know!) - does the coconut cake/bread freeze well?

I'm thinking of making up a couple of batches, as i have quite a bit of dessicated coconut and want to make best use of the oven while it's on!

jtb2412

Hi again ! :wave:

I have to confess to being a chutney and jam maker and have been busy 'producing' for everyone this Xmas (also doing some hampers). Plan is for 2 chutneys, 1 jam, 1 Xmas pudding and some kind of biscuits/sweets.

We're growing our own (first year ) so it hasn't cost us that much to do (apart from spending the money getting everything started :rolleyes: - will save money in the long run though . I've made tomato and chilli chutney, plain tomato chutney, green tomato chutney and courgette chutney (people will be getting a mix ! lol)

Jam wise, not sure yet as I haven't really had much fruit this year. New raspberries were put in earlier this year, but will produce no where near enough. Rhubarb crowns only moved into place this year so need to let them get established (although I must confess to having 3 lots off it earlier on in the summer - it was growing so well !) So, i'm a bit stuck on what Jams to do. If anyone has any ideas I'd be very grateful !

Have made other bits and bobs (redcurrant jelly, apple jelly from local crab apple tree - free of course! and some rhubarb and ginger jam).

I've been fortunate enough to get plenty of jars from local freecycle group and my MIL's friend (from the allotments) gave her a preserving pan which she in turn gave to me :j (she's already got one).

If anyone would like any of the chutney recipes, i'll happily forward them.

Also got some baskets from a warehouse shop for £1 (nice big ones) so i'm hoping everything will fit in them !

One question I do have is whether anyone knows when I should make the Xmas puds? I've read so many articles and recipes and they all differ . I'd be eternally grateful if someone on here has made them before and can give me a little advice

Anyway i'll stop rambling (you'll find I do that quite a bit - i'll try not to ! lol)

Oh, just quickly too, if someone could point me in the right direction of the coconut loaf/cake please, it would make my day .

foxy-tigger

Lizalu wrote: »

I'm a York girl too! as is NemoToad who pops in on this thread. It's beautiful weather here today isn't it?!:rolleyes:

Excellent Lizalu!!!!
Hello!
So any cool money saving Tips for Round York?
PM me if you don't want to type on this thread

weezl74

Hi jtb, click here for the weights of ingredients, and in that post, shaz includes the link to the original recipe

Hi beki, I've frozen it before, and it came out fine!

I'm going to freeze one of the sultana ones today...

If I don't, acetate monkey tries to help by finishing them all up quickly!

In_Search_Of_Me

Re the jam making etc...its been a great source of pride that people ask for the jam and chutney...sad but true. The profit you make depends on the price of strawberries or the fruit you use tbh but even if ts only 50p profit its still 50p...people also keep jars for me.
News says food prices have gone up 20 - 50%; f&v 15% since jan weezl...what would that be on the 50p a day?!! oo hang on think there may be a linky to info...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7597703.stm
Right girlies I need two tried & tested recipes if people have them please...cauliflower cheese and mushroom risotto. Fancied the latter for some reason (no I am not pregnant...thing you have to have s e x for that and I've not been near any dodgy toilet seats either!) as one of those things I've always wanted to make but never have...
Also think I need a cunning plan to get my gb down...spend 46 in mr.t today...did get alot of cat food, cat litter etc as wont be able to drive for another week...but still! I now have loads of food in - cupboards and freezer...not very good at doing a plan though. Any ideas for one who tends to rebel?
As others have said I love the thread! Funny how a group of people you dont know pop into your head in everday life! Thought of mrs m when I saw marmite in mr.t. Lovely how a group of strangers can make a difference...
Weather here is definately not good...local roads flooded and river taff very high and I hope wont flood...thankfully I wont have to go out agan today but still...

jtb2412

Thank you weezl :A , printed and filed in my recipe folder.

Trying to have a NSD today so I will have to get some coconut next time I go shopping (probably tomorrow !:rolleyes: )

jtb2412

ISOM - can I suggest that you put a teaspoon of mustard in your cauli cheese? Just lifts the flavour a little bit and you can hardly taste it.

Weather not good here in the south either but no where near any rivers so I hope those that are will be ok ! xx