I'm eating out of the freezer and cupboards challenge

macsoupdragon

Today I have been on the hunt for cumin seeds, but couldn't find them for love nor money (well, just money really, was all I had to offer:o). I visited the local asian supermarket, which must have over a hundred herbs and spices of every description, but no joy ("delivery on Tuesday" I was told). But I did buy a tin of Rose Coco Beans, for 29p - just 'cos I liked the name:)

Asda and morrisons sell cumin seeds, if they aren't in the herb/spice section, try the world food/Indian section.

Jelly_Biactol

macsoupdragon wrote: »

Asda and morrisons sell cumin seeds, if they aren't in the herb/spice section, try the world food/Indian section.

Thanks, I'd looked in Mr M earlier in the week - no joy. And I usually find that supermarket dried herbs & spices aren't particularly good quality, from previous experience. My local asian supermarket packages at lot of its own indian spices, so will call in next week. It's always interesting to explore, as well, with lots of strange-to-me ingredients:)

Welsh_Poppy

I agree I get mine from Asian shop as well as my basmati rice at a fraction of the Supermarket prices.

Glad i helped you remember your hols on IOW:-)

Kirri

WP - really, that's disappointing then, the GF always puts up such good pics of food and things I've wanted to go there a while. Will add FJ's to the list, I like anywhere like that.

JB - I thought all supermarkets did cumin seeds, sure they do in London anyway! I know going further out though I'm always surprised when supermarkets don't stock things I think are fairly common these days! The soup sounds good.

I'm having stir fry tonight with hoisin sauce, used a tiny portion of the very out of date frozen garlic (loads left still..), some frozen home grown chilli, pineapple, frozen tofu, fresh flat beans, carrot, portobello mushroom, broccoli and finished up some cashews (typically I have another pack in there..). Didn't bother doing rice with it as already had too much in the dish.

Jelly_Biactol

Welsh_Poppy wrote: »

Glad i helped you remember your hols on IOW:-)

Yes, I was instantly transported back to the early/mid-70s (can't remember the exact year). It was the only family holiday where my Nan (mum's mum) came with us. And the place that came straight to mind was Blackgang Chine; it's probably a bit 'old hat' to children nowadays what with CGI and 3d TV etc, but the lifesize dinosaurs were jaw-droppingly amazing for this young child.:)

Kirri wrote: »

JB - I thought all supermarkets did cumin seeds

I must have caught Mr M on a bad day. The asian supermarket I went to today stocks everything (even asafoedita powder), but was out of stock of quite a few spices, including cumin seeds. No matter. It's always a pleasure to visit. It calls itself an 'International Supermarket' and it really is. The samosas are superb; the mum of the family started out years ago making them for the shop, and now has her own business making them for most of the Indian restaurants in the area.

Kirri wrote: »

The soup sounds good.

It's a pretty standard recipe. Heat 2tbsp olive oil in a large shallow pan, add 4 red onions cut into thin wedges, and 1tsp sugar, cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and browned. Add 2 cloves garlic chopped fine, 1tsp dried thyme, 1 1/2 pints veg stock, and bring to the boil. Transfer to slow cooker, cover and cook on Low for 6-8 hours. To accompany, top slices of french bread cheese, toast, and float on top.
For me it needed a bit more 'bite' so would suggest a blob of mustard as well; I'll probably add this to the leftover soup before I portion up and freeze.

On my travels today I managed to visit my favourite family-run bakery, everything made on the premises and sooo cheap (large loaf, 75p!). I bought two loafs, 4 bread rolls, bakewell tart, 5 iced mince pies and a french stick you could beat off a mugger with, for £4.60.:rotfl:

Kirri

^ could just eat a slice of that bakewell tart (that's a lot of bread though!). I was doing ok just eating an apple and now I fancy something sweet!

I might try that soup recipe, am adding it to my recipe file - though I still struggle with the concept of eating soup...

Jelly_Biactol

Kirri wrote: »

^ could just eat a slice of that bakewell tart (that's a lot of bread though!)

Bread is divided up into manageable sizes, and frozen for later consumption:)
The shop hasn't changed much in the last few years
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTO4eDm-ros
(Scroll forward to 1:31, that is what it looked like when I was there today.)

Frogletina

Jelly_Biactol wrote: »

Bread is divided up into manageable sizes, and frozen for later consumption:)
The shop hasn't changed much in the last few years
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTO4eDm-ros
(Scroll forward to 1:31, that is what it looked like when I was there today.)

Looks absolutely lovely.

Kirri

Jelly_Biactol wrote: »

Bread is divided up into manageable sizes, and frozen for later consumption:)
The shop hasn't changed much in the last few years
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTO4eDm-ros
(Scroll forward to 1:31, that is what it looked like when I was there today.)

^ A proper old fashioned bakery, don't see many of them these days! Looks like it's in the middle of a residential area?


Breakfast - banana with glass of cranberry juice, still don't like it but will use it up!

Lunch - I've been baking again this morning, made pizza dough and used the chopped olives out of the freezer, put them in with the dough for flavour as don't really like eating them as a topping, worked well, one more thing used up. The amount for 1 pizza is always too big so divided it into two smaller, thinner bases, stuck one in the freezer... Roasted 2 portions of aubergine, pepper and courgette, one lot to go in the fridge, will probably use this tomorrow. Added fresh tomato slices, herbs and stilton. A smaller, thnner pizza with more of the rocket/spinach/babyleaf salad made it less of a stodgy meal, was very good

Dinner - not sure yet, maybe another tofu stir fry unless I go for something easier. Not in the mood for any more cooking today..

Started using up samples of toiletries too in an attempt for a further clear out, it is all so slow going though.. plus found a few items for the charity bin

[Deleted User]

Spent quite a bit of time this morning mealplanning. I have managed (somehow!) to incorporate everything we already have in, into a mealplan to last until the 26th May (the day before I go away)! :j
That doesnt include stores for DM while I'm away though, that is entirely a separate matter and we'll deal with that as and when we need to get more food etc in.

made a short shopping list of food to get on Wed, mainly bits and bobs for cooking, some more veg, bottled drink, plus basics and things like loo roll, etc.

got plans to make another risotto, another stirfry, another pasta bake (with bacon in), and have a small packet of beef rice in the cupboard so I'll get some diced beef and make that into something. also things like tuna pasta and then get more bread and bagels for sandwiches for work.

oh and found some filo pastry in the freezer - going to buy cooking apples and make apple/cinnamon turnovers

quite pleased all in all!