I'm eating out of the freezer and cupboards challenge

Lynsey

I'm just making a simple casserole, maybe add a drop of ale?? I was thinking of slicing the potatoes thinly rather than diced/cubes.
Do you use stock/water or gravy at the beginning?? Do you just cover the meat??

Lynsey

Lip_Stick

Hmm, not used potatoes like that, sounds like it might work better. You can use stock or water. I'd put in a bit of stock, ale and maybe some gravy granuals if you mean that, at the beginning. Don't cover the meat up, it'll cook fine and you can always add more stock or water later on if you feel it needs it. I'd probably do it so most of the veg is covered by liquid.

Lynsey

Thank you, sorry I sound like a "numpty", but gadgets are things I buy but rarely use.
Sometimes when I make casseroles/hotpots in the oven I add thinly sliced potato, but first part cook by gently frying in olive oil, I then finish them off by placing on top of the casserole (last 1/2 hour). The olive oil gives a nice taste.

Looking forward to this "trial" now - hope the thing (slow cooker) works!!!

Lynsey

canspendnomore

Lynsey wrote: »

Bought my milk and got some muffins from Lidl, nothing else and £1.54 spent. I would love to have waited until tomorrow but the milk wouldn't last. Maybe I should freeze a carton for reserve of get a pack of long life for emergencies.

The slow cooker is now out on the bench, ready to be switched on in the morning - still got cardboard protecting the plug!!!
So basically, I'll be putting a layer of carrots, swede, potato, lightly fried onions in the bottom of the bowl and browned steak on the top??
Do you cook in gravy or just water and add granules later??
How much liquid would you recommend??
Put on low setting for 8 hours or so??
I've only got 3 cook settings, low, high and warm.
Bigger bowl than I'd imagine, especially cooking for just two.

Fingers crossed.

Lynsey

I usually use some vegetable, or yeast extract stock in mine, (just enough to cover) then use vegetable gravy granules to thicken a bit at the end of cooking. I'd put it on low for 8 hours, but check it about half way and put it on high if you need to. The warm one is supposed to be to keep your food warm at the end, at least that's what my instructions say (Tesco's own for £10 a few years ago).

Lynsey wrote: »

Thank you, sorry I sound like a "numpty", but gadgets are things I buy but rarely use.
Sometimes when I make casseroles/hotpots in the oven I add thinly sliced potato, but first part cook by gently frying in olive oil, I then finish them off by placing on top of the casserole (last 1/2 hour). The olive oil gives a nice taste.

Looking forward to this "trial" now - hope the thing (slow cooker) works!!!

Lynsey

I don't see any reason why you couldn't do the same, but you'd have to put them in for longer than half an hour. If the half an hour equates to half your usual cooking time, then I'm guessing you'd have to put them in half way, if you see what I mean.

I don't think you can go too far wrong, I think Lip_Stick is right, I don't think you can over cook stuff in their. Mind you the microwave has saved me a few times at the end if necessary in the early days!

laineygirl

Cut into chunks and microwave for 4 minutes then cook in slow cooker with meat. Do all veg like this use the water in the casserole

vintage43

Menu plan for the weekend out of the freezer

Lunch Saturday - Bread rolls warmed with ham and cheese ( all in Freezer)
Dinner Saturday - Sausage casserole, using up the bits of frozen veg I have lurking some oldish New Potatoes and frozen sausages
Desert - Cookies which are frozen and ice lollies

Sunday Breakfast - Sausages on bread rolls
Lunch - Meat and two veggies
Dinner - soup from freezer

I'm really looking forward to being able to use everything up and then being able to open the top two drawers of the freezer when I start to defrost it, I can't remember what's in them but know they are full!:rotfl:

Kirri

Toast and cheese (finished off a pack) for breakfast

Lunch - Kit Kat... bad I know but was in a rush to go out

Dinner - last of the Quorn roast in a sandwich with pack of crisps I had from when I was working.

Probably have another slice of the tart I made last Sat later on if it's not gone mouldy!

Next week I hope to start having more nutritious, interesting meals!!

As I was passing I went in Asda today, don't normally shop there so saw some offers I couldn't resist! including tofu £1, Quorn pieces £1 and some veg mainly for the pets oh and some mozzarella as I fancy a hm pizza!

Spend so far this month - £8.79 on food and £15.37 on fruit/veg though that is largely for the pets!


Edit: tart had gone mouldy

Skint_Catt

Well the curry I defrosted turned out to be meatball pasta sauce so we're having it with spaghetti instead of rice Used up some nacho's from the cupboard as a starter

trixie4

Nooo I caved in and did a £20 food shop, including sausages which I probably didn't need and smoked salmon as a treat to go with some eggs I have. The rest was fruit and essentials.

MrsCD

Shame about the tart, Kirri. I found some mince pies growing nicely in a tin the other day! Not even the birds would have thanked me for them.
Lynsey - Hope the slow cooker meal turns out well. Looking forward to hearing all about it.

Has anyone else tried cooking brisket in the slow cooker? I just leave it on low overnight (usually a Saturday) and it's ready for Sunday dinner.