October 2009 Grocery Challenge 25 August 2009 at 3:51PM edited 28 September 2009 at 5:43PM in Old Style MoneySaving 890 replies 51.7K views

Frugaldom

Princess M - I buy the ham 'hocks' prepacked in our local Co-0p whenever I can get them. They are fine for freezing and cheap enough to buy 4 or 5 at a time whenever I can get them. I'm useless at slicing meat off them because I'm so fussy about fat but still manage to get enough to make a couple of meals from the one hock after making the lentil soup. This time I added butter beans along with the veggies, so it bulked it out even more.

Still trying to work out if staying within budget is a possibility this year but the list of what I'm running out of is getting longer. Ever hopeful though...

scotsaver

Hi everyone - well I was fully recovered yesterday and hit the shops but stayed within my list and Budget.:j

Made a Chicken Tikka Masala last night, HM Onion Bahjis and a Tarka Dhal but it wasn't a total hit with the family. The Dhal and Bhajis recipes were from the Economy Gastronomy programme and the Chicken Tikka was a Gordon Ramsay recipe. Will have a look on here for alternatives as these are dishes that I know the family normally like when bought from a Takeaway so it was probably down to a bad choice of Recipe, hopefully not down to my cooking.:o

Dinner tonight is Roast Lamb and all the trimmings. Must get into the Kitchen and get some cookies/cakes made so that we are well stocked for the Half Term holiday this week.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend everyone.:D

rosieben

Ninno820 wrote: »

... this is the first month in the past year that I have had money left over at the end of the month.

we should celebrate our successes! :T

mothershipton

so far this month £226 this is good because husband has not been in tesco for some time

mrssnowy_2

Hello all
Been missing for a while,due to ...holiday ,work,weekends away,work,course on family planning,fundraisng,WI,work,glut of fruit and veg which led to chutney marathon:rotfl:oh still being OS but lost count of spends.
After advice please.
I will be making about 12 Christmas puds soon(fundraising again)don't mind the making but the steaming drives me mad and takes forever.Borrow Mums PC,use my PC and SC-but only 2 puds in each at a time-any suggestions ? Apart from buy them from Aldis.

mrss

Emma285

Is it too late to join for this month?

I'm budgeting for a £160 spend this month - first month i've kept track of things and we're upto £150 with only veg / milk/ bread to get next week! There's 2 of us plus baby.

helen_jelly

Ninno820 - well done
Scotsaver - I love HM Indian and Takeaway but the taste between the 2 is vast, yours probably tastes far better!! but the family are just not used to it maybe
Emma285 - Hi and welcome, check out the recipes on page 1 and please ask any old question, there are lots of really helpful people on here who will give you any help you need, is your budget of £160 for Oct or Nov.

Budgets done up to and including brokemedic - thanks everyone
Helen x

elizabunny

Hello everyone,
Still managing to struggle around in the kitchen, so I made a huge pot of leek and lentil soup today, with a sort of oriental theme, using veggies from the garden.
3 garden leeks
Handful of garden baby carrots
Handful of garden french beans
A few garden peas
1 garden parsnip
1 stick of celery
1 cup cooked red lentils
Half cup uncooked long grain rice
About 3 pints Chicken stock/Water
Mixed garden herbs to taste
1 Teaspoon Five Spice
Salt & Pepper seasoning
I chopped everything up and put it into a large pan with the stock and brought it to the boil and simmered for about 45 mins until thickened. Lastly I added the chopped herbs and seasoning. Think this might be nice with some cheesy croutons. Haven't tried it properly yet.
Sorry my recipes are a bit vague, I'm a bit of a 'chuck anything in' person:o.
My NSD yesterday actually cost me £3.89:D I needed Detergent, Plain Flour and 6 Eggs -oh well..........
Have a good evening everyone!

Footnote: Mmm yummy soup.

rosieben

elizabunny wrote: »

... Mmm yummy soup.

Thanks elizabunny, yummy soup recipe now in the index and also on my meal plan for next week.

glad to hear you're feeling a little better but please take care of yourself;)

candygirl

Had another NSD today, mainly due to a massive hangover after last night's party:o:o