Economy Gastronomy - new budget cookery programme; BBC

Gigervamp

But things like stem ginger and red wine vinegar aren't very expensive if you buy one thing one week and another the next and they last a long time as you only use a little bit. I bought some stem ginger ages ago and I've used it a few times and there's still plenty left. Also, you don't just use the ginger, the syrup it's in can be used too.

I also have red wine vinegar and as you only use about a tablespoon in recipes, it lasts months. I think it was about 65p for a bottle of Tescos own brand. That works out at 2p per tablespoon.

weezl74

Gigervamp wrote: »

But things like stem ginger and red wine vinegar aren't very expensive if you buy one thing one week and another the next and they last a long time as you only use a little bit. I bought some stem ginger ages ago and I've used it a few times and there's still plenty left. Also, you don't just use the ginger, the syrup it's in can be used too.

I also have red wine vinegar and as you only use about a tablespoon in recipes, it lasts months. I think it was about 65p for a bottle of Tescos own brand. That works out at 2p per tablespoon.

I agree that they aren't that much, and if people can afford them, then great!

I just couldn't eat unnecessarily expensive food when my house was on the line

Reverbe

OMG did you SEE what next weeks family throw away?:eek::eek::eek::eek:

Pity it is all relatively rich families from the looks of things. From the ads the family there look quite well off and they all seem to have large immaculate homes. I would like to see them assist a not so well off family as well and maybe someone without a large kitchen. I know they can't cover everyone but it would be nice to see a non well off non middle class family who have had to sell the large house and bentley etc...we all get charged a license fee after all. Perhaps tho one "good" thing to come out of the recession is making people examine their consumption and that is good for finances and the planet.Dread to think of the methane emitted from next weeks familys waste on a landfill...

Weezl I'd argue that you dont need brownies if your house is on the line.

Am loving the show still - even my flatmate who doesnt like cookery shows likes the added elements and kept turning round from his pc game. But am I the only one disgusted by the amount of desserts the kids ate not just the cost. I dont have kids admittedly but there is no way I would let them eat puddings that often.There has been no mention of fruit which is what I would insist they had if they wanted something sweet apart from special occasions and possibly Sunday Lunches.(thats something I dont cook being single)

Good points they seem to be doing imo are - they like families to eat together and it was good to see them getting the kids in the kitchen last night. Fun way to save money instead of after school clubs etc that they admitted was expensive.

Reverbe

Caroline73 wrote: »

pink chicken again

its the same clip shown at the start of every show I think..

Flipped27

avinabacca wrote: »

Don't know about that - after all, they managed to cut their weekly food bill by nearly 40%, and that's some saving!

After all, I'm sure you'd be chuffed to get your weekly bill down to, say, something under £60, right? Same proportion, so what's the issue?

Really can't see why the programme's getting all this stick......

I think my problem was if its possible to feed a family of 5 for less and healthy delicious food, why on earth would they not show them how to do it as cheaply as possible?!

spendaholic

weezl74 wrote: »

I just couldn't eat unnecessarily expensive food when my house was on the line

We don't actually know that their house was on the line. They may have been selling anyway, it just would have helped the show if it were part of their economy drive, and this is where poetic license comes in to help get a show's point across. The husband's firm was already in difficulty. The car could have been a company car. They could have been downsizing or relocating anyway. The wife seems to work for the husband's firm and she may have been one of the company cuts too.

I don't think last week's family was particularly well off, I think they were just lazy and ignorant. This week's family, at least she did try and cook, even if it was bland and safe and easy. Next week's family looks like a cross between the two.

I'd like to see them do one for a single person struggling on a DMP (or facing bankruptcy), earning a part time wage and doing everything herself - just like me. We could all say we want to see someone just like us, but they can't please all of the people all of the time. I'd like to see them do it the OS way too. But it's a start. It's not a bad programme. We should take it at face value and see how it goes. Perhaps they will take it that step further next time.

freyasmum

Flipped27 wrote: »

I think my problem was if its possible to feed a family of 5 for less and healthy delicious food, why on earth would they not show them how to do it as cheaply as possible?!

Maybe because it might be too much of a shock for them if they suddenly drop from £320 to £80?

Babysteps

spendaholic

Flipped27 wrote: »

I think my problem was if its possible to feed a family of 5 for less and healthy delicious food, why on earth would they not show them how to do it as cheaply as possible?!

Because that would be too much too soon. Given time, they might reduce their budget yet further, but going from £330 to £210 in one move would have been a shock. They then got it down to £160 themselves. That is a HUGE saving for that particular family, every case will be different.

As I said before, possibly elsewhere (I'm losing track ), even on the OS grocery challenge we encourage people to gradually reduce their shopping budget by, say, a tenner a week. I was spending £75 - £120 regularly every week, and there's only me and 2 cats. I've eventually got it down to the government recommended amount of £40, but I didn't do it overnight.

spendaholic

freyasmum wrote: »

Maybe because it might be too much of a shock for them if they suddenly drop from £320 to £80?

Babysteps

We cross posted.

freyasmum

spendaholic wrote: »

We cross posted.

Great minds think alike