August 2008 Grocery Challenge

frugalswan

Just had my first purchase for the month - £2.14 on some eggs, garlic and milk. The first main shop of the month will take place tomorrow night *feels a bit nervous*

bumblebeeandboy

put me down for £120 this month thanks

savingfortravel

Moniker-Would you mind sharing your marmalade recipe? OB has got very excited about making his own. Thanks SFT

annie123

Just done first spend of my month £36 never been so low, sure it will become evident quickly what major things I forgot:rolleyes:

Have noticed with DD (18) away at bf there is less washing up/mess/cost/noise.
bliss:j :j :j and I can get on the computer:D

off to update signature....

Chell

Any ideas what I can do with runny jam? I attempted to make strawberry jam a few weeks ago but I couldn't get it to set. It is a bit too runny for using on toast. I made a jam sponge pudding with some a couple of weeks ago but it is too hot to want to eat that sort of thing just now.

sproggi

Maybe you could use some as sauce for ice cream
blend a little with milk for a milk shake

Frugaldom

13 pages already??????? :eek:

It's impossible for me to keep up but I'm still taking part, although that won't be until 1st August, as I'm a first 'til last of month budgeter

GOOD LUCK TO ALL and a special thanks for the recipes index AN - that is such a help! :T

Runny Jam - use for the base of speedy jam sponges. Really easy to make if you have a microwave and can be substituted with almost anything else you have when the jam runs out - syrup is our fave!

Ingredients
Equal amounts of sugar, margarine and self-raising flour plus an egg (I use about 100g of each)
Mix the ingredients together - I just blitz them with electric mixer adding flour slowly so the egg doesn't curdle. Grease a microwaveable bowl, pour in a layer of jam (or syrup or fruit etc), add the sponge mix on top and stick in microwave on full power for about 6 minutes (or until sponge is cooked). Carefully tip out onto a plate so the jam or syrup can trickle down the sides of the sponge, cut into portions and serve immediately.
One serving can easily soak up half a pint of milk and the above is enough to serve 3 (although it's meant to be 4 )

savingfortravel

Hi Everyone!
Picked up the 6 pints of milk for 1.99 at Netto-Thanks for that great post!
Also 4 tins of Branston Baked Beans are 99p so picked up 2 lots.

Went to Lidl for Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar and Mozzarella cheese for Sainsburys feed family for a fiver recipe: Tasty Pasta Bake. Hope it turns out ok and more importantly that it will provide a couple of meals.

Oh and I bought a field guide (bird book) about Costa Rican Birds-for OB to give me for Christmas. Had a sneeky peep inside at the toucans and am so excited, feels like I'm one step closer to the dream..
Thanks Bails for your message..I need to keep up the motivation.. I feel a little distracted this month...
SFT

angelnikki

Hi :hello:
Just had my last delivery for July. Came under budget by £18.66 :j

I would have been under by more but because I knew I was gonna be under budget, I bought a few extra things so I could start August with a well stocked freezer. :cool: So I've got:

500g beef steak mince x2 6 meals
500g lamb mince 3 meals
500g pork mince 3 meals
6 finest pork sausages 3 meals
10 pork chops (£5) 5 meals
cooking bacon 1 meal
12 chicken breasts 6 meals
southern fried chicken (£1) 1 meal
chicken burgers (£1) 1 meal
8 salmon fillets (£5) 4 meals
6 cod portions 3 meals
20 fish fingers (£1.50) 2 meals
6 veggie sausages (89p) 2 meals

Total 40 meals (for 3)

So I shouldn't need to buy any meat at all for August and half of september. I've also got enough pasta, rice, flour, etc for at least 3 months. So should have a good month GC wise this month. hopefully

My HM BNS soup & HM bread tonight was really yummy - had to get myself some more bread to have with it though cos it was sooo good

Take care everyone

Nikki x

MRSMCAWBER

Evening folks

Have just posted this recipe on the weight loss thread -so thought it only fair to share it so i have copied it over

Evening all

Now then ladies -avert your eyes if you are of a weak disposition where choccy is concerned , cos im about to post a recipe..but im not taking the blame for anyone making it and eating it all :rotfl:

CRANBERRY AND CHOCOLATE BROWNIES
makes 12
140 cals 5.5g fat 1.9g sat fat
Preheat oven to 180/350/gas 4

1. 50g plain choc -i used the 70% one with pieces of raspbery in i got earlier
2. 100g low fat spread
3. 1/2tsp vanilla extract
4. 4 tbs cranberry sauce
5. 2 eggs
6. 150g caster sugar
7. 40g SR flour
8. pinch salt

• Melt 1+2 in a heavy based pan over a gentle heat, stirring until smooth -remove
• in a bowl beat 3-6
• pour in the choc mix, 7+8 an stir until combined -don't over work
• place in a lined 21cm square tin
• bake for 15-20 mins
• a cocktail stick should come out sticky when done
• allow to cool and cut into 12

It says that to vary it you can omit the cranberry sauce and add 25g chopped nuts -so i used walnuts and add a bit of fruit -so i added 25g dried cranberries....
I bet you could also replace the cranberry sauce with apple sauce
Instead of baking in a tin I spooned it into muffin papers (helps with portion control )and when baked they came about 2/3 of the way up...

Anyway i have tried them and nommy nommy nom nom and im not even that bothered about choc now days -but they are really nice -only had 1 mind :A :rotfl: the rest are going in the freezer in the morning ooh and i still have the other 75g of the bar of choc :A i have stuffed it in the baking cupboard for the next lot

Thanks Bails.... im getting there.... whilst still eating lots of yummy good stuff :j
I think you should be allright with aubergines.. my mum is growing them in her green house, mine are outdoors but its only recently got really hot -so the 1st one made it through allsorts of weather :T they are hungry feeders though Im planning on having more than 1 plant next year -now i have tested they grow ok... i think i have about another 12 flowers that should produce fruit -fingers crossed

Right i will get off again
have a great evening all