Weezl's phase 1- recipe testing and frugalisation- come one, come all!

Lesley_Gaye

Made a half batch of the Carrot Cake adjusting the oil. I used 50ml less oil than the half recipe would have used, so used 125ml, and made it up to 175ml with milk. Worked very well. Cake not quite as soft, but not oily to the touch, and still soft and tasty. Made 16 2"x2" squares at 5.1p per square. OH likes this version a lot and has eaten 4 squares already!

• 175g sugar (13.1p)
• 125ml veg oil (11.62p) was 175ml
• 2 eggs , lightly beaten (19.8p)
• 320g grated carrots (about 4 Large) (13p)
• 200g raisins (13p)
• grated zest and juice of 1 large orange (5.65p)
• 350g self-raising flour (5.07p)
• 3 tsp bicarbonate of soda (4p) none
• 3 tsp garam masala if you have it in, or mixed spice or half cinnamon half nutmeg if you don’t (1.5p)

Also did a Weetabix Cake, adding some oil this time, and reducing the sugar.
2 Weetabix- 8p
125g Sugar- 5.26p, was 190g
190g Sultanas- 25p
250g Self-Raising Flour - 7p
155ml Milk – 4.52p was 240ml
125ml oil 11.62p, wasn't included in recipe
cost 61.4p, original recipe cost 55p. Don't know how many slices I could get from this as OH has been attacking it. He really likes this version, so I will go with this one

weezl74

Boodle wrote: »

Just have fingers crossed she sleeps tonight - DH and I got 3 hours sleep last night cos she has 5 teeth cming through at once, bless her :eek:

*Passes Boodle the calpol*

phizzimum wrote: »

Hi weezl - I'll do a few for you, but I won't have time till tomorrow afternoon. If you have enough helpers that can do the job sooner then give it to them, I won't be offended.

better go and finish off dinner now before the sausage burgers burn!

Thanks, that's plenty quick for me Phizzi!:)

canidothis wrote: »

I have a 'left-overs' recipe that might fit in with the plan

pop 2/3 big serving spoons of leftover Chilli Mince into an ovenproof dish and cover with a batter mix ( I used 1 cup of plain flour, 1 cup of water and 1 egg) bake in a hot oven for 30 mins and serve with boiled potatoes and green beans - something my frugal mother always served up - very yummy. Can be used with bolognaise as well.

Hopefully theres enough ingredients left from the plan to fit this recipe in - what do you think Weezl?

Great stuff Please will you contribute that to the writer of the what shal I do with the leftovers tool? No-one's volunteered yet, but I definitely think ideas like yours should be included in that valuable resource (and maybe on next months planner )

Lesley_Gaye

weezl74 wrote: »

Hello! A couple of volunteers required for some calorie counting of some of the recipes, is anyone interested?

I think using the tool provided by recipecal would be the most helpful, I'll explain more when I've seen who's up for it

I think I'd aim to give each person no more than 3 recipes to calculate cos it takes about 10 mins each recipe so that'd seem a bit much :D

I'll have a go Weezl

canidothis

Great stuff Please will you contribute that to the writer of the what shal I do with the leftovers tool? No-one's volunteered yet, but I definitely think ideas like yours should be included in that valuable resource (and maybe on next months planner )[/QUOTE]

I love my leftovers - not sure Ive got the skills to be a volunteer of the leftover tool - not quite sure I understand how it would work but if you have the time to explain by PM then I may be a willing volunteer. As they say 1 volunteer is worth 10 pressed men!:T

ceridwen

weezl74 wrote: »

I agree ceridwen, it's really exciting

the thread hasn't been alive for a fortnight yet and we've all done Sooooooo much! And when I look at the variety and tastiness of the recipes and meal planners and think it's being achieved for £294 per person FOR A WHOLE YEAR! I just get all goosebumpy

Yep....we've got a good crowd on board here:A

Reet....they there omegas....see what you mean...my first quick looksee resulted in "ohmegawd - yep that does look like they only come in more expensive foods for vegetarians...ooh dear....problem".

Then I bethought myself "That cant be so - there MUST be cheaper foods than walnuts/linseeds etc with that in" and had a quick google and ...well..there is a bit of hope on the horizon there:

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-foods-are-high-in-omega-oils.htm

and I noticed:

- Canola (which I cant remember why I dont use myself...but still)
- soy (ditto)
- winter squash (NOW we're talking in my books:D - but I do have problems wondering how to slice the darn stuff - as the skins are so VERY tough....:eek:)
- spinach (we are VERY much talking in my books)
- corn
- wheat germ
- pumpkin (very much talking - but those darn thick skins again that tend to defeat me wondering what to do with them.....)

EDIT: on the more expensive sources of those omegas (ie walnuts)....thinking that it wouldnt take many walnuts to make walnut pave (ie walnut bread) and thats certainly very nice (been having some this week - errr....readymade...).

homegrown_life

weezl - just looking at the spreadsheet and the colours and noticed cauliflower cheese and beetroot salad thingy is on twice, 2 days apart. Is this right??

ceridwen

Fire_Fox wrote: »

I *think* the main bulk of the nutrition maths (protein/ fat/ carbs/ cals per person per day) will come once we have a working menu plan all costed and tested. The reason essential fats have reared their ugly head so early is the lack of omega-3 required a major adjustment. The rest should not be too far off the mark, since Weezl has done something similar before in the 'Eat Healthily on 50p per Day' challenge. It's all about the blind faith! :rotfl:

ETA: Cross posted with 'the boss'!

This isnt "blind faith" - well..in some ways anyway.

I am certainly sitting back watching in total amazement at JUST how high the quality is of the people that have been attracted to this thread.

Its definitely quite an amazing group of people:D:D:T

shanks77

Lesley_Gaye wrote: »

Also did a Weetabix Cake, adding some oil this time, and reducing the sugar.
2 Weetabix- 8p
125g Sugar- 5.26p, was 190g
190g Sultanas- 25p
250g Self-Raising Flour - 7p
155ml Milk – 4.52p was 240ml
125ml oil 11.62p, wasn't included in recipe
cost 61.4p, original recipe cost 55p. Don't know how many slices I could get from this as OH has been attacking it. He really likes this version, so I will go with this one


Lesley can you confirm how long you cooked this for asked earlier but its not been confirmed dying to try it seems a long time to cook for the amount used.

In_Search_Of_Me

Choc brownie recipe (definately NOT fat free!!)
8oz butter (melted and cooled)
13oz sugar
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
4oz plain flour
4 eggs
3oz cocoa
1/2 tsp baking powder
1'2 tsp salt

Melt butter and cool (or it will cook the egg!!) and then add rest of ingredients (I did butter, sugar, eggs and then the rest) Bung in a square brownie tin and cook @ 180 for 40 mins.

Just thought I would share this wih you lovelies...its slightly OT as not in the budget but maybe our Shirl could do it for a pressie!

FrankieM

What amount of calories are we going for per day?

I'm looking forward to trying some of these recipes, maybe tomorrow for cakes/biscuits, next week for meals.

In regards to lunches...is it not cheaper to just do a sandwich everyday for the family members? Or was it variety that made you choose the lunch meals you have?