January 2009 Grocery Challenge

mrssnowy_2

jtb2412 wrote: »

Afternoon everyone, will update a bit later but i've got a quick question ....... what (if anything !) can you do with a chicken carcus that has already been cooked and then frozen. I've just found 2 in the bottom of the freezer that I think MIL put in there when we were away on hols last year. I'm not sure if I can defrost them and put in slow cooker for stew (they look like they've got a bit of meat on them). I'm pretty sure they were fresh chickens to start off with (she doesn't buy frozen).

If I have to throw them then so be it but i'd rather not until I know whether I can use them or not (I've always used the carcusses straight away so not entirely sure about using them after freezing).

No reason why you can't boil up and use the stock,or as you say put in SC.If they look OK and smell OK ,no problem.

meanmarie

Just done my January receipts to date and I have spent €114.26 of my budget for January...have enough for at least four or five dinners in freezer and could stretch to another 2 from cupboards so should be ok until end of week....will need to do a big shop then as have more visitors coming on Monday next for best part of a week I think.

Marie

Baileys_Babe

Planned today to be a GC NSD but went into Mr A as I something to return and rememberd somebody mentioned Muller corners were on offer also picked up yet more over the counter meds as we are still getting through them. DP also took us to see a settee he had seen in the local chariety shop, bought this, a nursing chair & a table and chairs we like the look of.

Soup in slow cooker, but biscuits not made as DS decided he didn't want to bake today, will save this as an activity for later in the week. Meals not really planned will need to think quickly as I don't even have an idea for tonight, all DP has come up with is takeaway, but we have both decided we will save this option, possible for the end of the month if we are within budget.

SavvyStudent_2

Hi everyone! I had a bit of a slip today - went to wilkinsons to get some stationary (revision for my finals starts this week!) and ended up spending £13. That did include 3 folders, 2 highlighters, an ironing board cover and 4 packs of herb seeds accounting for about £7 (if anyones interested wilkinsons have 75% off all their own brand seeds! I think they're having a clear out - I'm starting a herb pot). Couldn't resist stocking up on BOGOF crosse and blackwell cuppasoups, BOGOF go-ahead bars and 60p weightwatchers biscuits for the OH, 60p krisproll style crackers as well as 35p condensed soups for pastas. Oh and some galaxy hot choc (how unnecessary). That'll teach me to go stationary shopping whilst hungry! And after me slating the OH for throwing us over budget the other day as well lol I owe him an apology. The cupboards are literally bursting so I reckon our shopping will literally last into feb, which is good. Makes me feel better anyway!

I'm off for a guilty hot choc and to hunt out the textbooks xx

Savvy_sewing

Well I managed only to buy bread, at 72p and milk at 86p. Kept my eyes off of anywhere else.! So time to update my signature.

rosieben

Sylvan wrote: »

... How long past their Use By date are eggs likely to stay fresh, if I keep them in the fridge? ...

I always do the float test on all my eggs. I buy free range and I've had one or two bad ones, despite being in date

MRSMCAWBER

Nyk

If you look at the top of the list of GC members on page 1 -I have added an ANNUAL section..:T ..both me and orkney are doing it that way... I didn't think it would be long before you and your thread members would be joining up -let me know if you want moving and how much you want putting down for ..Im just going to keep a running total at the side of it that i will update at the end of each month

Can't remember who asked about eggs ...wasn't me though :rotfl: ..I too just float them if unsure and I never keep them in the fridge either as they absorb moisture and smells/flavours

rosieben

jtb2412 wrote: »

Afternoon everyone, will update a bit later but i've got a quick question ....... what (if anything !) can you do with a chicken carcus that has already been cooked and then frozen. I've just found 2 in the bottom of the freezer that I think MIL put in there when we were away on hols last year. I'm not sure if I can defrost them and put in slow cooker for stew (they look like they've got a bit of meat on them). I'm pretty sure they were fresh chickens to start off with (she doesn't buy frozen).

If I have to throw them then so be it but i'd rather not until I know whether I can use them or not (I've always used the carcusses straight away so not entirely sure about using them after freezing).

I would make the stew as you suggested, but don't re-freeze it. (cooked meat can only be frozen once)

orchid-96

Was trying not to spend but had to go into town today to pick up some stuff for ds birthday party (not included in the budget) and as I was in quality save (similar to home bargains) I couldn't resist a few bits of food whilst I was there, was in need of a few snacky bits for the kids lunches as my 'twinks hobnobs' disapeared much quicker than anticipated!! only spent £1.58 on food though so not too bad....

Re the chicken, I would personally chuck them out, but thats just me and I am a bit finicky with that sort of thing, other msers will probably say its no problem..

Hope you enjoyed your hot choc savvy student reading that has made me fancy one after my lovely hot bath which is coming up shortly....mmmm

Sylvan - what a day you had on saturday!! what fun eh! I know what you mean about the aldi fruit n veg, I can't bring myself to buy it anywhere else now as I have an aldi only a few mins in the car from here...

Re the Float test for eggs, can someone confirm to me, I think eggs are ok if they float is that the right way round?

jtb2412

After a bit of deliberation, we decided to put the carcusses in the bin because we couldn't be sure whether they'd been frozen before. Would rather be on the safe side ! Thank you for all the replies - it's really good to know that there is a wealth of knowledge on here

Had turkey and leek pie tonight (got the same tomorrow as the pie is huge and far too much to eat in one go ! :eek: ) Cut it in half before cooking so the other half is in the fridge ready for tomorrow. That's another extra meal I've managed to get from our huge turkey at Xmas :T . Mind you, getting a bit bored of turkey now, might have to find something different for dinner later in the week :rotfl:

I did have to pop to the local shop earlier to get DD2 some fresh orange juice (she's suffering a bit after all the rich Xmas food bless her). Also got some more spread as I used a lot on Sunday making cakes. But I didn't buy any extras so I was very pleased with myself :j . Will update sig shortly.

Have made a list for my big food shop on Weds night and it's not looking too bad (providing I stick to it !) I'm going to try and bike to the butchers tomorrow (weather permitting) to get the meat for the next week or so. Need to make sure I can get it back though so can't buy too much, i'm not the best cyclist around and that's without any weight in the basket or in my rucksack :eek: :rotfl: .

Already thinking about next month's budget here and have more or less decided to increase it a fair bit so that I can begin stockpiling items that are on offer to save me money later in the year. Summer months should be pretty low (grow our own fruit and veg) so it should even out throughout the year. I'll think about the final figure later on this month.

Hope everyone has a good evening xx