Peonie's journey to smart money management

Peonie

I took the chicken out the fridge tonight and it's still froze; more meal planner swapping is required; if we can't eat it tomorrow we'll have problems.

Had another NSD today by taking my lunch to work; I'm quite pleased with myself.

coldcazzie

Oh no! I hate that! I find if defrosting in the fridge things require about 48 hours. I take meat out and leave it on the counter overnight with a collander over it, then assess in the morning - usually the solid 8ish hours at room temp does the job so then I put it in the fridge until I need to use it. Failing that, I'll check it through the day, but I've the advantage that I'm at home all day, obviously it's not an option for everyone. The exception being mince. That I will cook from frozen, it just requires a bit of extra work.

I hope you get to eat your chicken tonight!

Peonie

Hi Caz, it did have 28 hours to defrost so I did wonder if we had the fridge temperature too low but it sounds like yours is the same. I normally defrost meat out of the fridge overnight or during the day; we normally leave it in the microwave then the cats cannot get it. Thanks for letting me know what you do; I was concerned we might be leaving it out of the fridge too long and the meat might start to turn.

I have never cooked mince from frozen; I'll keep it in mind for an emergency night when we mess up again.

We did eat the chicken tonight and there's enough for tomorrow and a sandwich at lunch.

I took my lunch into work again today; it was nearly a NSD but I spent £1 to buy the coffees at lunch.

coldcazzie

It's odd isn't it... you'd think that because the temperature has less "distance" to travel, for want of a better phrase, it would take less time. -18 to 2 is less of a change than -18 to 20, so why does it take longer? *clueless face*

What do you do with your leftover chicken?

With the mince you need to work at it, scraping off the cooked stuff and turning it over and over - it's best to do it before you do anything else, then remove it to a bowl and start from the beginning of the recipe. Add it in at the normal time and carry straight on with the rest without stopping to brown

Peonie

I have defrosted mince in the microwave before; removing the defrosted meal before it cooks.

I don't have a plan yet; we have been known to throw the chicken in a pan with left over gravy, heat it up, spoon the chicken out and into a soft roll with stuffing; throw some chips on the plate. It's not healthy but it's messy and good. We do the same with roast beef and gravy.

I have batch cooking recipes for steak and mince but not chicken; I'm open to ideas.

coldcazzie

I make mine into curry, but I am also searching for a burrito recipe.

Fry an onion til soft in some oil, then add 2 chopped celery sticks and a chopped green pepper and fry for another 5 minutes. Tear/chop chicken into small chunks, add to pan and mix in. Then add a crushed garlic clove, 1tsp ground ginger, 1tsp turmeric, 1tbsp curry powder (strength is up to you) and 1tbsp plain flour. Stir until all oil is absorbed. Slowly add 1 pint of chicken stock, stirring after each addition, then simmer with the lid on for 20 minutes until veggies are soft. Before serving stir in a couple of tbsp of double cream. Serve with rice and mango chutney.

Our leftovers off a roast chicken do us a curry as well, and that's for 5 of us (and curry is a hot favourite - no pun intended :rotfl:) but I buy large birds. You can adjust the quantities as necessary, or make a batch and freeze half for another time

Peonie

Hello all,

Yesterday we had chicken in gravy with chips and peas and carrots. Thanks for the curry recipe Caz; aren't you good cooking from scratch. I had a search on the OS boards after I posted on Tuesday; chicken and leak pie seems to be a popular recipe. Someone said they refreeze the chicken in portions, without sauce etc, and then defrost when they want it and then add it to a meal. Does anyone else do this? I have never considered cooking chicken and then refreezing it; we normally eat the meat until it's gone. I might try freezing a cooked chicken tikka masala if a few of you tell me you have safety done this.

I had another NSD yesterday but we ran out of fruit today and I went all out by buying a banana.

£300 pinged out of my account and into the monthly saver; I hope to squeeze at least another £100 out and into the ISA by the end of the month; bring my total rainy day savings to £10,580 and 88% of my goal. But I am being cautious; in October our monthly saver rainy day money was diverted for house renovations. So I will not quite believe the monthly saver money will go into the ISA account until it does. Don't ask me why but I want all the money neatly in one account.

coldcazzie

I currently have a portion of curry in my freezer so I reckon you'll be fine! I like cooking the curry cuz it only takes 30-40 minutes to do and smells lovely!

I know what you mean about having all your rainy day savings in one place. I do have to ask though, ISAs are sole name, so is it in your name or his? In the past we've divided our savings in half and put equal amounts in each for ISAs. With non-isa savings it goes in my name as I get gross interest. I'm just curious.

Peonie

coldcazzie wrote: »

I know what you mean about having all your rainy day savings in one place. I do have to ask though, ISAs are sole name, so is it in your name or his? In the past we've divided our savings in half and put equal amounts in each for ISAs. With non-isa savings it goes in my name as I get gross interest. I'm just curious.

That's the type of thing I would ask. :rotfl:
The rainy day ISA is in my name. I don't think Mr P has ever had one; certainly not while we have been together. He is saving separately for the house extension and roof. I don't report his savings on here as it's hard to get the info from him; for some reason he does not want me scrutinising his spends - I can't imagine why... :rotfl: But we will get him an ISA for when his monthly saver ends.

Next time I make a curry I will freeze half.

Cheers.

Peonie

Last night I dreamt a woman came round to my house and with clothes I ordered from the store; but then she showed me the order I placed for a blue 3, or maybe more, piece suite. :eek: When I said I would cancel or return it she said that ship had sailed. I thought what am I going to do with this suite; but I was more bothered about paying the £154 a month for the next 12 months and how am I ever going to reach my targets. After a bit I must have started to wake up as I convinced myself it was only a dream. Phew.

But in some good news I bought Mr P his slippers for Christmas and an extra pair for this year; both bought on-line in the sales. But the company must have got mixed up and sent an extra pair of the cheap ones by mistake a week later.