October 2008 Grocery Challenge. Please read first two posts.

cw18

tirlittan wrote: »

Also, can you freeze sliced ham?

I've frozen it before -- both as a few slices in a bag, and in ready made up sandwiches (grab and go on workdays - defrosted by lunch, but too solid/chilly to eat as a second breakfast on arrival...... hence meaning I don't then go and buy another lunch to replace them!)

bullet_2

I have had to give away a tin of corned beef today, for Ds1's Harvest Festival. However, I am getting free apples later, one of DH's work colleagues is giving them away. So some of them will go in a potato and apple curry and I'll make apple sauce and freeze it for the rest.

WelshWoofer

Morning!

GC not going too badly for me - plenty of meat in the freezer for OH and lots of tins, pasta, rice, cheese, eggs etc in.
Will need to do a "small" shop this weekend for F&V, bread and a few toiletries, I'm hoping to keep it to about £15 but we'll see!
I also got a £5 M&S voucher in the post this week for getting an insurance quote (didn't buy the insurance) so I'm going to use it to treat us to a few nice bits and pieces from there - probably their yummy fishcakes and maybe a veggie lasagne? I'm not counting that in the budget though as its treat money IYSWIM?!
2 more weeks left on this month's challenge and I'm not sure whether I'll make it - I'm still on an experimental budget since OH moved in of £150 for all food, dog food, household stuff and toiletries - its tight but we may just make it.

Anyway, will update the total when this weeks shopping has been done.
Have a good weekend!:j

savingpennies

Hi all, I don't post often but love to read what everyone is up to. Not doing too badly with my budget so far, as I'm trying to empty the freezer so that I can defrost it.
I've had a look at the remoska that everyone talks about but with a slow cooker and a bread maker is it really worth the expense?
Regarding cooking with mince and getting bored of spag bol, shepherds pie, etc, what about moussaka?

rosieben

bullet wrote: »

I have had to give away a tin of corned beef today, for Ds1's Harvest Festival. However, I am getting free apples later, one of DH's work colleagues is giving them away. So some of them will go in a potato and apple curry and I'll make apple sauce and freeze it for the rest.

Potato and apple curry sounds lovely, any chance of the recipe please?

If anyone thinks they're over or going to be over budget please don't drop out. We all have our bad weeks/months. I'm probably going to be over this month too (again!) as I'm off to Lidl with my sis for the 3rd time this month :eek: but I know that what I'm spending isnt anywhere near as much as I used to spend and I havent any room in the freezer so that will keep stuff out of the trolley!


Glad to see you're feeling better MrsMC :wave:

fertyskids

EGON, thanks so much that is such a good idea. it also means i have to go on a friday morning as that is the only time the baby could be pushed to do without his morning sleep. all 3yr old other sessions are in the afternoon and the baby needs his 2 hrs. snacks yes it would be easy for the baby - breadsticks or messy banana.

i struggle to do a 2 week meal plan. i run out of ideas and panic as i have several nights a week when older son 13, and hubby come in and out needing a quick meal before they are out again to clubs etc.

monday - little ones ballet. late tea for the little ones no prep time, i need to walk in and serve.

tuesday - son in and out in 1/2 hr and hubby home late.

wed - son in and out again

thur - son in and out agin

fri -hubby home late.

ive started cooking in the mornings now to save the chaos in the late afternoon this helps. im veggie and the rest eat meat, i do use quorn for all of us a lot.

Baby wont eat everything we do although i am pushing him. i normally make a big qauntity of food for him and freeze little portions he doesn't seem to mind eating the same thing for 3 days until it runs out and i cook something else, unless i run out of time and then he has jars...

so somedays i cook 2 seperate meals and 2 different times.!!!!

thanks again EGON. for your advice i will definately think more about the meal planning but would apprecioate any ideas from anyone.

thanks karen

wekkend were ok unless we go out

i make lots of casseroles spag bol and lasagnes as they can be reheated in the micrwave in individual portions.

PurpleSkies

Thanks for all the advise on bulking up portions etc. Think I'm going to try a few lentil/veggie mixes until I get the right balance.

And thanks for the suggestions on what to do with the prawns. Think I'm going to go with leebarton's suggestion about the fried rice. I would have never thought of making that but looking forward to giving it a go!
Also it's nice to see someone else from my neck of the woods! I know my location says Edinburgh but that's not where I'm from originally!

Essex-girl_2

Afternoon All

Have just update my signature and as you will see I am already overbudget and there is still 2 weeks to go!

However am not that stressed over it as am well stocked up and cupboards are bursting. Freezer is quite full as well and have got a couple of bits for Xmas.

Savingpennies - I love my Remoska, I am obviously saving on fuel but also it has made my life so much easier. Also last night I cooked Salmon fillets in there for the first time - they were lovely and there was no horrible fishy smell in the house. I still havent baked in mine but everyone raves about that as well.

OrkneyStar

Withdrew the rest of this months grocery money last night- so none left in the bank, but enough in my purse to do to end of the month. Today I got the corn beef for the hash, and soda crystals. Got the soda crystals in the first shop no bother, but neither of the local shops had tinned corned beef (spam aplenty though :eek: ) so ended up getting it at the Coop. Got 3 tins so I have plenty in though . Also got some Tabasco Sauce (for the hash) and some sea salt too as it was running out. Looks like it will only be milk we need next, although expecting that to last until at least Tuesday as we have plenty in (although DS does go through it!).
x

MRSMCAWBER

Hi all

Just a quick one... Mum says that when she was in asda today..princess extra lean cornedbeef was on at £1.08 -which she says is cheaper than the "cheap" stuff now :T thought it might b of use -especially as its cornedbeef hash weather