August 2009 Grocery Challenge

elf06

MRSMCAWBER wrote: »

Morning all

I have mastered special fried rice -which is great for using odds n sods and bloomin gorgeous If I say so myself ,

Please tell me the secret (or even just the recipe:rolleyes:) for your fried rice. I have tried in vain but just cannot get it even remotely edible

Maitane

Oooh, can I join in too?

It looks like I'll be taking a wage drop from next month, from my already rubbish NHS salary and I have a fair few things to get on top of. I reckon me and my other half could do with being a bit more canny, especially as I have my heart set on buying a campervan to do up.

Can I be put down for £160 for the 1st to 31st please?

Also, does anyone have any really good tips for doing the challenge with a meat-obsessed, greedy other half?

Thanks.

jackiegibbo

Please put me down for £220 for august

XSpender

Hi Everyone

I am running at a total of £1618.09 against an annual budget of £2640. I have giving myself a bit of a hard time, feeling I have been overspending but I have just worked out that I calculated the budget on an average spend of £220/month and have been achieving £231/month so I am not as far out as I thought. I can stop beating myself with a big stick now:D

Ideally I would like to spend as little as possible this month as we are going on holiday in the middle of August and need to save as much as we can to allow for the odd fish and chips and cornish pasties!

I would like to send thanks to everyone who has contributed recipes to the indexes at the front of the thread. I have had a good look through this month and have picked us some really good ideas.

XS

rosieben

BigMummaF wrote: »

... Would you have a link to afore mentioned thread please Rosie?...

Here you go BMF :hello:

Flat_Eric

I really fancy a curry this weekend with all the trimmings.

Although very tempting to go out for one, this is not very mse and Im not going to give in to an asda home delivery shop where I order lots of stuff I dont need even though their curry ready meals are very tempting.

So Im going to make one :j

I have a few ideas up my sleeve. Im toying with a chicken jalfrezi as I have chicken in my freezer plus the mixed peppers (also in the freezer) that the recipe calls for. I am also considering serving the jalfrezi with a chana masala recipe ive spotted on the web.

I also have a recipe for onion bhajis but this calls for gram flour - i won't be able to get to a big supermarket before the weekend, does anyone know if another flour can be substituted in its place?

Also if you have any ideas or tips on how to "copy" those lovely dips you get in the indian restaurant with your poppadoms, I would love to know thanks !

russetred

You could probably substitute SR flour with a pinch of tumeric to get the colour right but you may need to judge the quantity of flour as gram is denser.For dips I usually mix yoghurt,tsp mint sauce and lemon juice with a dash of tobasco or chilli and tumeric to colour.HTH

rosieben

MRSMCAWBER wrote: »

....
I softened a finely chopped onion in a little oil, added a courgette cut into 1/4 slices and a handfull of frozen sweetcorn, then a dollop of marscapone and plenty of seasoning and a spoon of wholegrain mustard and cooked over a low heat until bubbling -I then let it cool and folded in some leftover roast chicken ( didn't want to re-heat it twice) - then I used some ready rolled puff pastry and made 4 big pasties/slices -we had 1 with some steamed potatoes and some french and kidney beans from the garden -It was really nice -and we have 2 in the freezer
That filling I make a little runnier and add some frozen peas and serve on pasta too.
...

MrsMC I've listed your recipe under very fetching title of 'Chicken and Vegetable Slice' - if you would prefer to give it another name let me know. I've printed it off to try out myself, thank you

Allegra

Flat_Eric wrote: »

I
I also have a recipe for onion bhajis but this calls for gram flour - i won't be able to get to a big supermarket before the weekend, does anyone know if another flour can be substituted in its place?

Yes - any flour will do; it will taste somewhat different to what you are used to, as gram flour has quite a distinctive taste, but it will still be nice enough.

Also if you have any ideas or tips on how to "copy" those lovely dips you get in the indian restaurant with your poppadoms, I would love to know thanks !

It kinda varies from restaurant to restaurant, I find - around here, it tends to be mango chutney, cucumber raita, lime pickle and tomato chutney.

tq16

Maitane wrote: »

Also, does anyone have any really good tips for doing the challenge with a meat-obsessed, greedy other half?

Thanks.

I'd like to see some of those tips too please? I do add lentils and oats to bolognaise which bulks it out but also still has the required meat :-)