Any ideas for quick, healthy and cheap meals

stiltoncheese

Hi Lynz

Can I ask was the turkey leg really bad?

Have just added one to this months shopping as it is only me and thought it would yeild some cheap meat for the week without the hassle of slow-cooking a whole chicken, but if it's really that bad then i think i'll remove it and find a really small chicken.

Thanks

lynzpower

It wasnt, shall we say to my taste. Lots of others on here swear by them.

It was the "CARVING" that posed the biggest problem to me.

If you can spare a pound - Id buy one anyway for the experience. You might love it , I dunno.

Eager- just buy the seeds and some cheap compost and watch them go! Ive got seeds from lidl, b&q or wilkos - seriously, youll be impresssed I am LOL

cupid_s

EagerLearner wrote: »

What do you recommend I start with and, er, how...! i will give it a go and report back :T

Kale is really easy to start with - even I managed to grow it without trouble

EagerLearner

Hmmm, may have to go to LIDL and see about these here seeds! I am pretty sure some of the plants the landlady left behind are d-e-a-d so will emty the pots and re-use with some compost as suggested.

If I planted courgettes, kale and say cherry tomatoes, when would they start to yield?

I also fancy having my own basil but I know the small planted supermarket ones die as soon as you pick some of the leaves off, so what can I do?

Also are they best in the shade, to not burn?

Sorry for all the questions, it's exciting!

lynzpower

I also fancy having my own basil but I know the small planted supermarket ones die as soon as you pick some of the leaves off, so what can I do?

the reason these supermarket numbers kark it pretty much as soon as you get them home, is because they are potted in such a tiny amount of compost. Ive lost count of all the ones that have died on me over the years, but since Ive repotted them in a larger pot with newer compost , theyve all done well ( thyme, mint, chives, basil)

Im not sure about kale but tomatoes and courgettes need as much sun as possible. the burning is due to a lack of water generally, so make sure they are given a good douse as often as you can. All the veg im gorwing is predominantly water based ( leaves, courgettes, corn, tomoatoes, mange tout, so they need a lkot of watering, morning, home from work, late evening, just ot be on the safe side. Also you want to avoid rocket ( if you are doing that "bolting" ie going to seed/ bearing flowers. once its born flowers pretty as they are its game over, and the reason they bolt is not enough water ( plant creates seeds for its own survival)

Dont know if you saw any of the progs grow your own veg, but theres a book that accompanies the series and its really good for beginners like me

you can also get seed potatoes ( new pots eg) and grow them in a bin full of compost- saves carting them back from the shop doesnt it! I must crack on and get some of these today!

EagerLearner

Thanks Lynz - will keep an eye out then maybe at the £1 store - sounds like fun. I can only do little things as the available area isn't that much.

Looks like I too will eventually be one of the thousands that say 'Oh spent the weekend in the garden' - very excited!

Never watched that show but will look out for it - if you remember the name of the book do let me know may get it 2nd hand...

Any idea how long things, say courgettes, should take from seed to something edible?

lynzpower

Eger, this is the book http://www.amazon.co.uk/Grow-Your-Own-Veg-Rhs/dp/1845332938

heres the beeb link http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/tv_and_radio/growyourownveg_index.shtml

heres the courgette link http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/growfruitandveg_growingcourgettes1.shtml

my SIL grew courgette plant on a patio in a pot last year and it cropped pretty well :T

Dotmatic

Hi, I'm sure there must be a thread somewhere already, if there is maybe someone can point me in the right direction, otherwise I'd really like some cheap and cheerful healthy meal ideas for a family of 4, before I sit down and plan next weeks menu. I've noticed there are lots of meal ideas mentioned as part of other threads but it's taking me hours to read through them all.

I tend to plan a week ahead and cook everything for scratch and only pop to the shops for a weekly shop. I feel like we're having the same thing week in week out, the kids don't complain bless 'em but would love some more ideas for a bit of variety.
D

lil_me

I just posted this little lot on the grocery challenge thread

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=326929&highlight=meals

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=336033

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=161168

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=2340412&posted=1#post2340412

Of course there is a complete index on here with loads of recipes and ideas

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=4098606#post4098606

Stacks of ideas etc on there.

Penelope_Penguin

Try the Menu Plan Collection - sorry, not much progress on it recently - aiming to rectify that next week!

Penny. x