Food Budgeting

foxxymynx

It's been a while since we budgeted for food properly, but we really have to start doing it again.

I have a few issue that I didn't used to have though. One is that I'm disabled and I can't cook very long or too often at the moment especially and the other is that we don't have a freezer.

I was wondering if anyone had any tips please?

It's getting into soup season :dance:so I can make soups, which is great cause they're cheap n stuff. my OH is eally picky though and will only eat peas, carrots, sweetcorn and kidney beans out of all the veg (so we have chilli alot ) thankfully he eats tomatoes :rotfl: so chilli and spag bol and sometimes pasta bakes we have quite often. He's not a fan of bread either and refuses to eat curry... *such a picky eater* other than that some foods make him ill, dairy products, garlic, onions and pastry things in particular (it's medical probs). We both like alot of traditional things (he won't eat leek pudding though!) so mince and dumplings, shepard pie, casseroles, those kinds of things.

What I really need help with is suggestions of meals that are quick and easy to make, not because I'm a bad cook, but because I can't cook for long, so things like pies are out of the question. I don't like pre packed things, like sauces - I'd rather make my own.

Any suggestions would be greatly appriciated.

Ice_2

Hi I know what you mean about food budget...I think everyone is having to budget abit now...wshat I do is make a menu for the week but you could do this for the day or 2 days...then work out what your going to have for those meals...then work out which food you'll need for those meals...
I make a menu for the week and stick it on the fridge/freezer and it only move's when I am doing my online shop and when I am making the meals...

you don't say which meats you eat ...except mince...so how about...
bacon & cheese potatoes...preparation 10 minutes cooking time 1 hour 5 mins
butter bean bake...preparation 15 mins cooking time 30 mins
chicken casserole...preparation 10 mins cooking 11/2hrs
chicken liver stir-fry...prep 10 mins cooking 5 mins
citrus fish kebabs...prep 25 mins cooking 10 mins
corned beef hash...prep 15 mins cooking 20 mins
gingered fish...prep 20 mins cooking 15mins
leicester cheese pudding...prep 20 mins cooking 30 mins
lunchtime salad...prep 30 mins
mixed fish kebabs...prep 25 mins cooking 10 mins
pork & broccoli crumble...prep 15 mins cooking 35 mins
redcurrant lamb chops...prep 5 mins cooking 25 mins
smoky cauliflower supper...prep 25 mins cooking 25 mins
farmhouse mince...prep 5 minscooking 46 mins
country beef bake...prep time 20 mins cooking time 50 mins
lasagne...prep 10 mins cooking 40 mins

let me know which ones you fancy & I'll post the recipes...

:j

ZoeGirl_3

Maybe someone will come and move this post to the Old Style board, you would get a lot more help there. :j

Or just pop over there and have a look around in the grocery challenge there are threads and threads of great recipes there and some great tips too. :beer:

Debt_Free_Chick

Is it worth trying to get a small freezer from Freecycle? Or even paying for a used one via your local small ads? I paid £30 for one a couple of years ago - small "under the counter" one.

This way, when you can cook, you can make lots of pies (or even just the fillings), soups etc and freeze them.

richardw

Debt_Free_Chick wrote: »

Is it worth trying to get a small freezer from Freecycle? Or even paying for a used one via your local small ads?

Very good point, worth investigating.

foxxymynx

Debt_Free_Chick wrote: »

Is it worth trying to get a small freezer from Freecycle? Or even paying for a used one via your local small ads? I paid £30 for one a couple of years ago - small "under the counter" one.

This way, when you can cook, you can make lots of pies (or even just the fillings), soups etc and freeze them.

Unfortunately we have no where to put one

foxxymynx

Ice wrote: »

Hi I know what you mean about food budget...I think everyone is having to budget abit now...wshat I do is make a menu for the week but you could do this for the day or 2 days...then work out what your going to have for those meals...then work out which food you'll need for those meals...
I make a menu for the week and stick it on the fridge/freezer and it only move's when I am doing my online shop and when I am making the meals...

you don't say which meats you eat ...except mince...so how about...
bacon & cheese potatoes...preparation 10 minutes cooking time 1 hour 5 mins
butter bean bake...preparation 15 mins cooking time 30 mins
chicken casserole...preparation 10 mins cooking 11/2hrs
chicken liver stir-fry...prep 10 mins cooking 5 mins
citrus fish kebabs...prep 25 mins cooking 10 mins
corned beef hash...prep 15 mins cooking 20 mins
gingered fish...prep 20 mins cooking 15mins
leicester cheese pudding...prep 20 mins cooking 30 mins
lunchtime salad...prep 30 mins
mixed fish kebabs...prep 25 mins cooking 10 mins
pork & broccoli crumble...prep 15 mins cooking 35 mins
redcurrant lamb chops...prep 5 mins cooking 25 mins
smoky cauliflower supper...prep 25 mins cooking 25 mins
farmhouse mince...prep 5 minscooking 46 mins
country beef bake...prep time 20 mins cooking time 50 mins
lasagne...prep 10 mins cooking 40 mins

let me know which ones you fancy & I'll post the recipes...

:j

Thanks. We don't eat lamb, liver, kidney, tripe, and DH won't eat river fish. Can I be really cheeky? Would you mind posting the recepies for:


butter bean bake...preparation 15 mins cooking time 30 mins
citrus fish kebabs...
corned beef hash...prep 15 mins cooking 20 mins
gingered fish...prep 20 mins cooking 15mins
mixed fish kebabs...prep 25 mins cooking 10 mins
pork & broccoli crumble...prep 15 mins cooking 35 mins
smoky cauliflower supper...prep 25 mins cooking 25 mins
farmhouse mince...prep 5 minscooking 46 mins
country beef bake...prep time 20 mins cooking time 50 mins

A couple of them DH can't/won't eat but I'll do them at my Mam's

alwaysonthego_2

Sorry off topic but can I ask if you are claiming any disability benefits that could top up your income?

foxxymynx

alwaysonthego wrote: »

Sorry off topic but can I ask if you are claiming any disability benefits that could top up your income?

Yes, I get DLA

Debt_Free_Chick

foxxymynx wrote: »

Unfortunately we have no where to put one

Garage? Shed? Utility room?

mine is in the garage

andyrules

How about a worktop freezer? It would take roughly about the same space as a microwave.