Do you spend £10.00 per month on food you don't eat

Greatexpectations_2

Meadows wrote: »

Have you tried these growing salad trays? More expensive than normal lettuce leaves but you can leave on your windowsill chop of what you need and then if left for a while more grows.

I haven't tried these although I think they are a great idea - always look very tempting when I've seen them in store but as you say a little expensive.

I have sown my own mixed salad leaves in window boxes indoors in the past; last year I seemed to have more success with growing salad leaves and cut and come again lettuce outside - it was very convenient being able to take just the amount I needed. I've stocked up on loads of different salad seeds (too many!) for this year.

mummyroysof3

i didnt know you could freeze pate, only hubby eats it at christmas and i threw it away oops

going to try freezing sandwiches for my sons packed lunch this week, i just need to get some decent sandwich bags, i also need to buy more plastic tubs-tesco value ones are very good

Meadows

mummyroysof3 wrote: »

going to try freezing sandwiches for my sons packed lunch this week, i just need to get some decent sandwich bags, i also need to buy more plastic tubs-tesco value ones are very good

Is it wise to freeze sandwiches as they may be soggy on defrosting?
Bread tends to hold moisture and the filling may also make the sandwich wet. Better to defrost meat and bread separately and then make up the sandwich, only takes a few moments to put together.

rozmister

Hey Meadows,

Thanks for the tip about pate. I didn't know it could be frozen and I just can't eat it quick enough! Next time I'll divide it into portions and freeze all but one

DawnW

somebody asked about what to do with elderly oranges - I just slice them and freeze them. This works for lemons, grapefruit and limes too - you can use the slices as ice cubes in drinks (grapefruit would be a bit odd, but the others are all ok for this), whether for the kids' cola or G&T for yourself, or even water. It acts as ice and lemon (or whatever) all in one.

If I end up with a big bag full in the freezer, as sometimes happens, I use them to make marmalade. No need to defrost. Just put in a large heavy pan and cook gently until the skins are soft enough to pierce easily with a knitting needle, in 2 pints of water to each 1 pound of fruit (about 500g). Then the messy bit, strain the fruit off the liquid (save the liquid though as you need that as well). Then pick out and discard the pips and any stalky ends, and either cut the fruit up into neat shreds, or do as I do and pulse it in the processor till it is cut into small pieces. Then put it back in the pan with the cooking liquid, add 2 pounds of sugar and boil until set (about 10-15 mins on average, test on a cold saucer). I made 6 jars of orange, lemon and lime marmalade this morning, using something that would be thrown away with just some sugar added - and it tastes gorgeous .

Just to clarify the quantity - 1 pound of cut up citrus fruit either from the freezer, or fresh (or some and some, it does't really matter), 2 pints of water and 2 pounds of sugar. If you want more, just double or treble the quantities - I made double this morning. Remember you need a big pan to do this though!