Live on £4000 for a Year, 2009 Challenge, part 1

Guesty6

redglass wrote: »

Guesty....ahem, must put this delicately....are you by any chance a man? I'm surprised the other men haven't asked this question already - they were each pretty relieved to find there was at least one other male on the thread! :rotfl:

Good Spot, I did notice that there are plenty of females in this thread, but didnt really see that as a bad thing, maybe I can give a different slant on things :beer:

Penny2myName

To all the SC experts out there, can you send me some suggestions via PM of what I can actually cook in one, apart from soup and casseroles. Oh and how to cook it would help. The SC was donated to me last January and didn't come with an instruction/cook book. Many thanks in advance, oh and may I add for the next week the SC and steamer are my only ways off cooking hot food for me and 3 kids.

Masomnia

I'm a man! Did mean to bring the subject up... but didn't know how without sounding sexist lol!

Hope you're all having a great evening.

sophiesmum_2

What size sc have you got p2mn??

How about chilli, curry, chicken and rice, cook a chicken - do veggies in steamer, liver and onions, ??

Skint_Lynne

I just bought my SC a couple of weeks before christmas, but I think you can do a chuck it in and see what happens job, just the same as if it were in a normal pot or casserole. I would however, brown any meat you are going to use as it makes for less of a cooking time. I have usually put it on low overnight.

I think as well, if you google the make and model of the slow, the instructions will come up for HTH, but probably sophiesmum will be a better source of info for this one. xx

Edit: I have a question re:cooking joints of meat/chicken in the slow. I had the stinky chicken before christmas and only put a wee bit of water in the bottom of it. The instructions said that I should have covered the whole thing with water, which I done with my ham. Do you need to do this or is it okay just to use a small amount of water to cover the bottom of the slow?

Skint_Lynne

Masomnia wrote: »

I'm a man! Did mean to bring the subject up... but didn't know how without sounding sexist lol!

Hope you're all having a great evening.

I think that theres 4 men now, yourself, Paulgonnabedebt free, Mr DT and Guesty.

sophiesmum_2

Skint_Lynne wrote: »

I just bought my SC a couple of weeks before christmas, but I think you can do a chuck it in and see what happens job, just the same as if it were in a normal pot or casserole. I would however, brown any meat you are going to use as it makes for less of a cooking time. I have usually put it on low overnight.

I think as well, if you google the make and model of the slow, the instructions will come up for HTH, but probably sophiesmum will be a better source of info for this one. xx

I believe in the chuck it in and see method too;) , just gotta remember to cut veggies etc into small evenly sized pieces so they cook properly, add enough liquid to cover but not too much as it doesn;t evaporate same as when cooked in oven etc. Most recipes with a sauce base will translate to sc cooking, even rice pudding etc.

Re chicken - I cover mine about half way up with water, then part way through cooking may turn chicken over. It cooks really well just falls off bone when you pick it up.
Tip - hold lid on and drain water off before trying to lift chicken up or you will be fishing for it - at end of cooking obviously not when turning;)

sophiesmum_2

Skint_Lynne wrote: »

I think that theres 4 men now, yourself, Paulgonnabedebt free, Mr DT and Guesty.

2ndtime rounder makes 5:D

angelatgraceland

looby-loo wrote: »

Originally Posted by looby-loo
Welcome - you just have to get into a different mind set, try to avoid the big shops, shop local with a list and when you feel tempted ask yourself if you really need it - could you make what you have last a little longer or get it elsewhere eg freecycle, boot sale.
You can do it!




I think I made a confusing post by mixing things up. I do stockpile food when I see bargains and offers. I have cupboards so full even Sophiemum would envy:D . What I meant about thinking before buying is for household items, gadgets, nick-nacks, etc that we all see in all the shops but really don't need. For example, I still use my electric hand mixer which I bought before I was married over 25 years ago. It is tatty, dented, cracked and old fashinoed looking but it work well. It is kept in a drawer so is not on show. Sometimes in my weaker moments I look through the A***s cat. and think I'll treat myself to a new one for only about £10 but then I don't because the other one still works so why buy another But I know people who do relace things every couple of years just because there is a new 'fashion' or model out. Also folk who buy endless bits and pieces which fill up their home for a short while and which are then carelessly disgarded. Many people are caught up on the marketing trap and don't realise it - they just keep on buying 'stuff'. All this also adds to filling up landfill sites. etc. This is what I meant about getting into a different 'mindset' about buying 'stuff' and thinking if you really need it or not. Of course we all need to buy food - unless we grow it.

Believe it or not-I was one of those people at a time when I could least afford to be! In my early twenties with a tiny bit of money in my pocket. One day I woke up just a bit when a workmate of mine referred to me as a "salesmans dream". It took me about 10 years to fully work out what she meant!
So now Ive reverted back to my childhood(my excuse if I get silly)and the ways of my parents and grandparents(a wise move)and have taken it somewhat farther again.
Yes-I was also inspired by theat wonderful storecupboard and had a tidyup of my overfilled cuboard and stockpiled worktop this morning. Why do I stockpile? Ummm cos Im a bit tight and only buy bargains-and when I do-I get a few while the going is good-it never really started intentionally-it sort of happened since I came on MSE regularly so Ive got a case of consumption I believe-I consume all the bargains I can find(well-within reason).
DH did have a moan about it tho this morning again-and theres my order from AF to come tomorrow at a guess too-on dear!:money: :money: :money:

candygirl

Managed to get a lovely pink laptray £2.50 and a box file £2.50 from wilkinsons today as well as a few bits from Home Bargains.The tray is for a bday pressie and was originally £8:D Had a lovely takeaway at mums for tea, and am just planning meals for this week:D
Am exhausted with this weekends trawling round the shops for 2 days:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: