Economy Gastronomy - new budget cookery programme; BBC

happierdaystocome

I think you shoud be able to substitute the polenta for SR flour as I think the butternut squash is to replace the potatoe. Have a look on line for a recipe.

kaz0705

Ah, ok. evidently I have no grasp of substitutes! Will check it out. Worse case scenario, I'll just chuck layers of any old thing in- that's economising, isn't it? :-)

bananadog

I just got some polenta in Morrissons (think it was £1.99 for a 500g bag) It was by the spices and sort of looks like yellow flour..I actually have no idea what it is but seen it on tv a few times last week so giving it a go! GL with your recipes x

happierdaystocome

kaz0705 wrote: »

Worse case scenario, I'll just chuck layers of any old thing in- that's economising, isn't it? :-)

Thats what I do

http://www.hungrycravings.com/2009/11/butternut-squash-gnocchi.html here is a recipe I found

CommitedToChange

the lasagna made from the pork is to die for

As for budget - its not so much about buying the cheapest ingredients but stretching out and making the most of good cuts etc - I tend to buy stuff when its on offer and then make the recipes.

meanmarie

Kaz...you can make gnocchi with mashed potato and some flour...reckon about 8ozs mash to 4 of flour, but I am a 'throw it together' kind of cook so proportions may not be great....good luck

Marie

MrsE_2

CommitedToChange wrote: »

the lasagna made from the pork is to die for .

I got the book, I've never made that one, I will try it on your recommendation.

kaz0705

Ah, ok, looks like I'm going to have to have a wee sit down with the menu and see what I can do with this! But the first two recipes (slow cooked pork and pork lasagne) have been a great success, even with changing some basic instructions/ingredients so I'm confident I'll russell something edible up! Famous last words....!

If nothing else, the book is bringing me out of my comfort zone- I would never have made bechamel sauce before but it's so easy! So it's definitely giving me a better understanding of different ingredients and mixing things up.

I was pretty economical before but making 10 portions of chilli might be MSE but gets a bit repetitive for dinner :rotfl:

Thanks for all the comments- I've got a slightly better grasp of this thing called polenta now!

On the plus side, whilst looking for it, we came across a bag of pop corn. As we've got a big metal wok, we figured we'd try it out. One cup of corn later and we had enough popcorn for about 10 people! Reckon we need a 1/4 of a cup for just the two of us- so that 86p is going to go far! Now to make the toffee.....

x

kaz0705

MrsE wrote: »

I got the book, I've never made that one, I will try it on your recommendation.

My boyfriend said the two dinners (shoulder of pork and then lasagne) were the best things I'd ever cooked.

Not necessarily a reflection on the recipes- possible a comment on my previous attempts at cooking

MrsE_2

kaz0705 wrote: »

My boyfriend said the two dinners (shoulder of pork and then lasagne) were the best things I'd ever cooked.

Not necessarily a reflection on the recipes- possible a comment on my previous attempts at cooking

The fish pie (tuna & anchovies) is quite nice.