Gallygirl's "A journey of 121,226.67 pounds begins with a single penny" diary

gallygirl

pammyj74 wrote: »

well done on becoming size 12 and being able to sit in those jeans I remember having this pair of beige jeans (yeah I know - beige ) that were a small size 10 but i loved them soo much and when they were washed they were so hard to get on and I would lie flat on the bed to do them up but just could not breathe! And eating something wearing them, I'd get home and release the button lol

I had those same jeans in red :rotfl:

pammyj74 wrote: »

Have you any simple soup recipes for a bland palate? Me and kids dont like spicy but I really want to get into making some broth like soups like the heinz winter veg (obv will never taste like that but would like to have a go) I am a rubbish cook really.

Pammy this is my favourite soup - I've omitted the curry powder, garlic & ginger I normally add to give it a little zing.

Tomato Lentil & Bacon Soup

7oz lean bacon - chop the fat off & cut into bite size pieces
1 onion, chopped
2 sticks celery, chopped
1 large potato, peeled & diced
1 large carrot, peeled & diced
32fl oz water & 1 veg stock cube
4.5oz red lentils
1 tin chopped toms
2-3 tbsp chopped coriander or 1/2 tsp dried herbs of any kind.

Stir fry bacon in non-stick pan for a few minutes then add onion, celery, potato & carrot & fry for a few minutes - you may need a few sprays of Fry Light or cooking oil.

Bung in slow cooker & add other ingredients. I use boiling stock so it only takes around 3 hours. Alternatively cook on stove on a low heat until veg are soft (on second thoughts, having read about your potatoes maybe you should bung in the oven on low heat in a covered casserole dish :rotfl:)

After an hour or so sit downwind of everyone else . It is easier than it sounds and the lentils make it nice & thick so really filling.

If you've got a stick blender I'll see what else I can think of. Leek & potato is even easier but needs blended.

*Jellie*

Sounds lovely. I might have to make some soup tomorrow!

gallygirl

*Jellie* wrote: »

Sounds lovely. I might have to make some soup tomorrow!

If you're not Pammy add 2 cloves of garlic, 1" of chopped ginger and tablespoon of medium curry powder :rotfl:

cha97michelle

gallygirl wrote: »

If you're not Pammy add 2 cloves of garlic, 1" of chopped ginger and tablespoon of medium curry powder :rotfl:

If we all give Pammy one easy recipe, I am sure she will be be really inspired to not eat mince so much. lol.

It isn't that tricky honest Pammy. We'll sort you out. Again, shame we don't all live near each other, as i learned most about cooking through living with 2 of my housemates at Uni who showed me and talked me through different techniques and gave me inspiration.

pammyj74

I feel kinda embarrassed but will try the recipes people are sharing, thanks. I have lentils as learnt that trick for my spag bol and shepherds pie to make it stretch
The only thing I would need to buy is bacon as I have all the other ingredients. I dont buy bacon really as I think its quite dear and I like to keep to my budget. Eating home cooked might not be the cheaper option for me as it seems to be costing me more. I normally buy shop bought quiches at about £1.20. Today bought mushrooms and cottage cheese and already that has cost me £2 without the cost of eggs, chicken that I am going to add.
I know its healthier to make your own but my head is saying is it worth it?

I dont have a blender of any kind but was talking to someone today as I have a smoothie maker and was wondering whether I could do soup, let it cool down slightly and then blend it in that? would that be feasable?

Also that recipe, how many servings would that be? I like to cook in bulk if I can and freeze it, thanks

pammyj74

oh the pots was a one off lol, I used the front cooker ring which was bigger and didnt twig the water would boil any quicker doh! I have boiled pots many many times, it was just an example of have daft and dumb I can be about cooking. god I sound a numpty!

cha97michelle

You don't sound stupid. Far from it. How do we ever learn if we never make mistakes.

I keep forgetting the back of my new cooker gets really hot when the oven is on so it heats pans/trays on top of it, then trying to pick them up. We all do dumb occasionally.

Strange what you said about home cooking being more expensive. I guess it depends what you normally have in to use up in your storecupboard, and also where you get it from. Shopping at costco helps me get stuff like eggs and cheese cheaper. I have never really priced up what it does cost me, though i am finding it hard to stick to £200 grocery challenge budget. Might help next month if i am not buying as many nappies. One per night is only £10 per month maximum, not to mention all the wipes and creams etc.

I find buying stuff like jars of pasta sauce quickly eats into my money compared to a passata or tin of toms with a few added herbs. Same with curry. Few herbs from the storecupboard and then a tin of toms and sometimes some cream or creme fraiche. Food is not cheap altogether though is it?

Iris_Blue

Pammy it isn't dearer. You think it is atm because your concentrating on new recipes. When you've done a few, you'll start to think right I've got this and that and I can use that for this and just add that and I've got a meal there. IFGT ?

Start off with just one recipe and then built it up from there. Pasta is a good place to start as most of the recipes are tomato based so like Michelle said tins of tomatoes , onions etc and you're on your way. meatballs, cannelloni, lasagne, pasta sauce, There the same ingredients so it won't cost too much. Add what veg you like. Then from that you could make tomato soup as you already have tomatoes and onions.

GG that soup sounds nice. I think we'll try that one - Do you blend it ? I've never cooked with lentils, I've added to mince to bulk out but that's all.

SmlSave

Gally that soup sounds scrummy Its very similar to one we make with more lentils and peppers and courgettes instead of carrot and potato, we also add chopped up hotdogs I'm going to give your version a go tomorrow.

gallygirl

ahem_47 wrote: »

eh - got your text. 45 and a 1/2 pounds ....you're robbing me blind :mad:

Pretty impressive I have to admit. Oiseau nouveau :beer:

Ha ha Mr GG :rotfl:. I can save the £'s better than you and lose the lbs better than you. If you've had your haircut that will lose a few lbs for you :kisses3:

Iris Bleu - no I don't blend it as I chop the veg fairly fine and the lentils thicken it anyway so Pammy, would be good for you to do. You could skip the bacon and add an extra stock cube - or add any cooked meat you had left over.

Nom nom nom, hungry now. Just back from London where after my meeting I sat outside in the sun with Mr GG and had a cheeky 1/2 pint