Great 'Embarrassing MoneySaving tips' Hunt

kdakin

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Primrose

kdakin wrote: »

Also, I particularly enjoy aromatic crispy duck and frequently buy a whole duck from my supermarket (especially when they are being promoted at about half price - £5 per duck), a cucumber and some spring onions and make my own. The only product I have difficulty with is the pancakes - I buy these uncooked from the chinese takeaway who usually supply me with two packets for £1. If someone knows which supermarket sells these, please post on here as I have never found them. On occasions I have bought mexican wraps instead but they are a bit too bulky.

Cooking the duck is simple but takes longer than you might expect - close to two hours at 190 degrees in a stainless steel tray with a metal grill tray to keep the duck clear of the fat released. Keep the duck low in the oven to avoid the fat splashing onto the heating elements (usually at the top). Carefully drain off excess fat if it starts to smoke. When cooked, use two forks to tear off the flesh all round the bird. If it doesn't come off easily, put it back in the oven for 15 more minutes each time. You can buy Sharwoods HOI-SIN sauce from the supermarket or as an alternative their PLUM sauce. Yummy !

I'd love to try this as we often eat Chinese recipes at home but have never yet tried crispy duck. Work just cooking duck breasts work in the same way? And how do you cook the pancakes? Are they steamed, and if so, how can you best steam them if you don't have a proper basket-type Chinese steamer?

mrs-stressed

Please forgive me here - but what is embarassing about the last few posts. They sound pretty normal and thrifty to me but deffo not embarassing!!!!!

kdakin

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mrs-stressed

kdakin wrote: »

A really under rated delicious meal can be had very cheaply with good old fashioned Sardines or Pilchards on toast.

I prefer pilchards in tomato sauce - which I mash (after removing the backbones) and sprinkle liberally with vinegar and black pepper. You could also add some Lea & Perrins if you like. Cook some toast (lightly) at the same time under the grill and then butter lightly too.

Spread the mashed pilchard mix onto the toast and put under the grill for about a further minute - don't let the toast around the edges burn !
Delicious, nutritious and cheaper than chips!

Again forgive me if I seem impertinent here but your post is on the wrong thread here.....although sounding delicious it is not embarassing.

kdakin

Deleted because of sale to moneysupermarket.com

FatVonD

I love this thread

lauren_1

kdakin wrote: »

I once had unexpected guests for supper and had nothing in my fridge. I did however have a tin of "stewed chunky steak", a tin of button mushrooms in brine and a bottle of bordeaux red wine, some garlic, onions and a few random herbs plus some left over bacon.

I gently cooked a couple of cloves of sliced garlic in some olive oil, added chopped onions until yellowed slightly. I then added some chopped bacon, all the herbs, then the tin of stewed steak and the drained button mushrooms. A good helping of crushed black pepper adds to the flavour too. I added about one third of a bottle of red wine and left to simmer for about half an hour to reduce it somewhat - to intensify the flavour.

The red wine and fresh garlic disguises the fact that the steak is from a tin and the overall effect is much better than you might expect.
Voila (et bon appetit mes ami)!

I am literally dribbling at this post....

mrs-stressed

It must be me then?

kdakin

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