October 2010 Grocery Challenge

scotsaver

Hi everyone - updated my total with this weeks spends.

Thanks for all the lovely looking recipes everyone keeps adding, it has prompted me to set aside some time to go through the list of recipes on the first page and do a menu plan around those. I'd forgotten how many good recipes there are on there - it will also bring a bit of variety back, does anyone else find that they get stuck in a rut each week and cook the same things?

Dinner tonight is Roast Lamb, roast potatoes from Allotment, carrots, parsnips and cabbage. Pudding is an Apple crumble using our own apples, been quite a good crop on the tree this year.

Can't remember who said they had bought a bag of whoopsied lemons but I love Delia's recipes using lemons, there's a lovely Lemon surprise pud, fresh lemon curd and lovely lemon cakes. Once you've made your own Lemon curd you'll never want the stuff in a jar.

Off now to check out the Recipe list. Have a good day everyone.

cw18

scotsaver wrote: »

Can't remember who said they had bought a bag of whoopsied lemons but I love Delia's recipes using lemons, there's a lovely Lemon surprise pud, fresh lemon curd and lovely lemon cakes. Once you've made your own Lemon curd you'll never want the stuff in a jar.

That would be me

Was debating lemon sponge pudding and lemon muffins - have to say I've never had a Lemon Curd that I've like yet (either processed or farm shop/made on site)..... but Lime Curd is something I drool over, so I long for the day I get a good bargain on limes

Moniker

Afternoon everyone

Have just finished lunch - roast chicken and trimmings. As we are on a low carb diet I did a large potato cut into 8 small pieces roasted and we had two each and I put the other 4 pieces in the freezer for next time! I have never re-cooked roasties before so hope they are ok.

I did Kezlou's calzone recipe on Thursday and we had them with salad for lunch on Friday and again for a packup on Saturday when we took DD1 to St Pancras to catch the Eurostar. They were delicious - I used onion tomato cheese and mushrooms in mine - but I didn't seal the edges properly so they opened up a bit. Must remember to dampen the edges with some water next time!

I did my big monthly shop on Thursday and have had to pop out for extras every day since - so my NSD total is 0 so far - not good. Yesterday we had hm meatballs and pasta from the freezer as I was too tired to cook when we got back from London but my DH insisted that we needed some grated parmesan which I didn't have. So we bought some from M&S at Paddington - £6.29! Eek! Still I will grate the rest and freeze it so it won't be wasted.

Hoping to keep on track this week. Good luck everyone.

Moniker

mummyyof5

Hi all,always read the thread and try to join in but not confident enough to post yet...just wondered if one of you could point me in the direction of a x**s cake recipe that doesnt have spirits in and doesnt need feeding....I am tee-total...and just cant eat any cakes with alcohol in.I know it doesnt taste that way its more personal preference....TIA xx

inigma

I find being chummy with the local butcher a really good tip, when I was younger I always went with my mum to the fishmonger or the butcher, they always had really good special offers on (plus we always got a giant bone for the dog for free!). Things like kidney, liver and stewing steak (and other unfashionable cuts of meat) are usually the toughest for the butcher to get rid of so don't be afraid to ask him or her what they have that they want to get rid of.

Yesterday I got 10 rashers of bacon (had some people doing DIY so butties were called for), 1lb of mince meat, 2 huge chicken breasts, 2 stuffed chicken parcels and got change for a tenner! Having chicken curry and lasagne this week!

Failing that you can buy an air rifle and most farmers will let you shoot as many rabbits as you like for free.

Tesco forget's your name as soon as you leave the store the butcher won't forget. Save our high street!

Shysarah

First grocery spends of the month were yesterday was a bit blue so spent is mostly on junk but I picked up whoopsied lettuces and peas during my hormonal splurge so that's not too bad. £4.01 spent.

rachelet

Hi there, Is it too late to join in on this challenge please. I did work out a budget at the start of the year, but to be honest I am not entirely sure I am keeping to it. I think I will start with 400E and I will keep all receipts this month. I have already spent 25.14 today on basics and 75 cents on bread yesterday. So total left is 374.11. This total is for me, 4 kids and DH for two weekends this month. This total doesn't include nappies and baby milk for two babies as hubby gets them from England as they are a lot cheaper than here.

Going to look through recipes now to meal plan for the rest of the week.

hedgesparrow

Hello All,

Can I be put down for £100 for the month please? 2 adults and one bird.

hedgesparrow

mummyyof5 wrote: »

Hi all,always read the thread and try to join in but not confident enough to post yet...just wondered if one of you could point me in the direction of a x**s cake recipe that doesnt have spirits in and doesnt need feeding....I am tee-total...and just cant eat any cakes with alcohol in.I know it doesnt taste that way its more personal preference....TIA xx

What about a boiled fruit cake? My mum always made those and they are lovely and moist without being fed (but you make it closer to the day). I found a link - ignore the first part about the duchy having his laced with brandy - the recipe at the bottom has no booze in it.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/food_and_drink/recipes/article405369.ece

Herbyme

OK, have I made a hideous mistake? Decided to try the major batch cooking idea, have now got 3 or 4 x lasagne and 3 or 4 shepherds pie in the freezer, plus chicken breasts to make 3 chicken kormas and fish to make 3 fish pies. ie at leats 12 or 14 meals for the month. BUT have spent over 1/3 (£220) of my budget already and am running out of freezer room. Have asked on freecycle for a small freezer but no result. Cost of small table top freezer about £120. What have i done wrong? or will it all be ok????!!!