Economy Gastronomy - new budget cookery programme; BBC

r.a.i.n.b.o.w

Gigervamp wrote: »

Not sure what you're getting at.

Throwing 7k of food away is disgusting, horrendous, shameful, really, really bad. :rolleyes:

I agree. When I was on benefits ( a while ago now!) I didn't even have £7k to live on (for rent, bills, food, school, etc), and now - working and not on benefits - I cannot imagine spending £7k on JUST food, let alone throwing it away!

:eek:

redmel1621

One thing I think is a bit of a shame, is that they don't provide the recipes for the rest of the 'tumbledown' meals...last week they showed how to make the chilli, but also mentioned the braised mince would make a bolognese sauce and cottage pie...they could do with putting these recipes up as well.

Now this might sound strange, but after much thought over the last month this show has finally helped me to make my decision to 'raise' my shopping budget!! I can't bring myself to eat junk...and by that I mean the cheapest sausages/tuna/tea etc... we want to eat good quality food and this show has impressed me with some of it's recipes......although I aim to adapt them into cheaper alternatives;)

But I have realised I am unsuccessful in reducing my shopping bill because I refuse compromise on quality. I have also realised that is fine and I shouldn't feel guily or like a failure because I haven't managed to feed a family of 5 (inc a baby) and a large dog and a cat on some ridiculous amount like £20pw....

I do feel that although people preach the take it one step at a time mantra, it is slightly muffled by the constant rivalry/competition on who can feed their family for the least, even if it becomes apparant they are living on beans on toast for every meal.

This show has actually opened my eyes to the nice, good quality food that can be eaten on a relatively low budget, although with a little thought it could be a bit cheaper than they are doing it:D

Mel x

r.a.i.n.b.o.w

Butterfly_Brain wrote: »

Did anyone notice the thing about the rice? I always rinse mine in cold water first to get rid of most of the starch. They didn't they just bunged it in and were instructed not to stir because of the starch in the rice.

That's correct. Don't over-stir or agitate it otherwise it goes all gooey and starchy.

Best rice: Put in salted water, bring to boil, stir once, cover, simmer till al dente, drain, cover and sit for 5-10 minutes. Serve. Yum.

[Deleted User]

I think the main aim is to show folk that o.k. they used to spend a large amount but with a bit of planning it can be reduced.More or less what we all do on here if we can is what Paul Merrit is saying .
Shop with a list
Use up left overs
don't over buy
herbs and spices can make even the most bland food taste 'posh'

I changed from buying red salmon as the price had gone through the roof for sandwiches or summer salads to buying tuna which was jsut as nice, but at times a bit bland so I whack a dollop of Branstons relish with red peppers and some finely grated garlic to liven it up a bit and its tastes just fantastic.
Still have healthy fish but at half the price.
beans on toast is nice but can also be a bit boring , but top a slice of toasted cheese with beans and a splash of worcesterhire sauce and you have a tasty supper or lunch.
I agree with the bran flakes though, but thats because I prefer them to cornflakes and sugary cereals.Wintertime its porridge oats.

Butterfly_Brain

The_Dragon wrote: »

Having read the thread from start to finish I am going to HAVE to go watch the programmes! (after a sleep - darned mumps! how can a woman of 44 get MUMPS!)

Ooh nasty!
Get Well soon Dragon
:kisses3:

sunshinejoclaire

avinabacca wrote: »

Sweet! Is your Dad the guy out of the "Doctor, Doctor" jokes?

I cackled out loud at that :rotfl:

Ily

Loved your post redmel, you almost read my mind...... spooky! :T

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

I'm baffled by the fascination with puddings - isn't that what fruit and yoghurt was invented for?

And I would argue that making a prescriptive list that must not be deviated from excludes the possibility of saving on extra offers. For example, I may intend to go out and spend £5 on some salmon fillet - but if I can get hold of the same number of portions of tuna fillet on special for the same price, or even some lamb steaks and a packet of posh bangers, then I have more variety or even another meal sorted.

And I am still uncertain as to how buying more than you need and then trying to work out what to do with the castoffs is more economical than buying what is necessary. Why buy 2lb of mince and risk everyone getting sick of the stuff, when you can buy 250g of mince and everyone's happy?

Maybe it's just me...

competitionscafe

spendaholic wrote: »

I too hated and detested mushrooms ... until I actually tried one, and now I love 'em and add them to everything, so well done on the lad for at least trying one. More than can be said for last week's lad leaving the room in a minor tantrum before he'd even seen the meal let alone tasted it (he'd've got a clip round the lughole in my day ...). Mushrooms are one of my staples, but they're usually button or open/closed cup. Maybe I should try shitake and oyster too. Just once ...

Shitake are delicious but very expensive - I only buy them when the guy at the farmers market has them as he is half the supermarket price. Oysters mushrooms are nice too - I find ordinary white button mushrooms are almost tasteless, so would rather get chestnut or oyster mushrooms and just use less of them.

competitionscafe

avinabacca wrote: »

Mind, I was interested to see the fishmonger's recommendation to buy mussels when they're at their best, during months with an "R" in them (show broadcast 12/08), and also chuckled some at the butcher's championing of less-popular cuts of beef such as flank and brisket - when everyone knows that in yer average supermarket (say, the one which begins in "A", where last night's family shopped), you're lucky to be offered the choice between "braising steak" and "stewing steak".

Does the supermarket in question even stock chuck-steak???

A good reason to use a butcher. Chuck is good but I was surprised the butcher did not mention shin which is a great cheap cut and also oxtail... A good buy at the fishmongers is mackerel - healthy and cheap.