Countdown to Freedom

southerndave

More if they are in gateaux or cheesecake, which is the only real way to eat fruit!

nattypants

Ah Tilly, well done to DD:T

There are a cazzilion blackberries growing right outside my house, and the only thing I ever have handy when I venture past are doggy poo bags - hardly the most appetising of containers:o I'll try to remember something more suitable tomorrow morning and join you in the berry picking and subsequent crumble making.

NPX

shala_moo

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS wrote: »

Hi, L!dl have loads of Xmas stuff in :T

I bought a pack of mini stollen pieces as I thought mum could have one with a cup of tea in the afternoons - never quite sure what bits to take up for her when we visit, but hopefully they'll go down well.

Tilly x

Right well I know where i'm off to next weekend :j:j

Better make a list :rotfl:

Thanks!

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Morning, 41p TT to offset savings.

Mortgage is paid and I'm certainly missing the big drops in capital owed.

I've had a weekend of batch cooking, foraging, freezing which always does the spirits good.

Menu plan is up in the kitchen, fridge is full of fruit and veg and I certainly get a huge amount of satisfaction from knowing everyone is well provided for.

A week of busyness awaits but one in which I'm taking time to see friends.

The autumn colours are arriving and walking the dogs is a pleasure when you can witness the changes in seasons. I may not be saying that in November when it's wet, dark and cold.

Have a good week, Tilly x

KolaKube

Hi Tilly

Just popping in to say :hello:, I've been lurking on your diary for a good while now

All the menu planning sounds great, I really must get more motivated with that. We often plan a week at a time but midweek we get distracted by other food lol... any tips?

Kola xx

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Morning Kola, thanks for delurking and welcome to the madhouse.

Tips - difficult as everyone is different. I've tried planning for a week, two, four and eight weeks to see which worked the best for us. I find a monthly plan, with a freezer and larder inventory (I do mean everything though, 5 tins of toms, 9 tins of beans, SR flour etc) was the most efficient and practical for us.

I can buy offers (3 chickens for £10 from WR) portion them up (use YouTube for lessons), or bargainous fish during the month, then freeze and I use them the following month in my planning.

I have a menu plan which shows me which book I chose a recipe from and the page number, a column which reminds me of a specific ingredient I may need - eg fresh cream. Another column reminds me to take something out of the freezer the night before.

I often work long hours, have been known on many occasions in the past to be cooking the dinner whilst on a con call, so this approach makes life much easier.

When I'm menu planning I love to use different books and really do enjoy the planning process. DS and I did it together this month and he chose most of the dishes we are eating in October. Although I have a plan, we all know diaries change, and there's never a problem switching a dish or not cooking as we're off out.

These are my views and I have no idea whether you like cooking or can't bear it so stay with me

I actually find supermarkets very frustrating and even sickening. Sounds extreme, but in a world where we have food poverty, walking around a supermarket which sells so much carp is mildly distressing. Take a white sauce in a jar - using an all in one method would result in an easy, quick no lump white sauce, using skimmed long life milk - less fat, and way cheaper - would take around 5 mins.

There's much discussion at the moment in the press about the lost art of cooking - this is a tragedy as creating good quality food is straight forward. The key is planning and finding the time to do it.

Confidence is often a factor but having just a handful of base dishes under your belt, allows you to create many more. Mince meat dry fried, to release the fat, then drained; onions diced or sliced then cooked until lightly golden and added to the mince beef can be frozen and any number of dishes made - cottage pie, spag Bol, chilli, fajitas, beef and onion pie, babotte (can't remember how to spell it). The kids love sliced potatoes layered with the mince and onion, then stock added and baked in the oven.

Stale bread can be whizzed to breadcrumbs then frozen. When ready to use them add a little chilli powder, smoked paprika (or any spices or herbs) to the crumbs, dip chicken pieces or fish into egg and finish with the breadcrumbs. Oven bake and they are way better than any shop bought equivalent.

I wouldn't do that in the week but on a Friday night for example, with a lovely salad and potato wedges, which take no time at all - it makes a simple dinner quite special.

Apologies to everyone as I know I get on my soap box about cooking but given at worst I was working 90 plus hours/week with kids and animals, I know it can be done.

I bet you hadn't asked for tips now :rotfl:

Best wishes Tilly x

ETA: I'm no longer a workaholic and have a social life and weekends now :)

Muser1

Thanks for the amazing post Tilly. I'm getting into the meal planning and cooking from scratch. You are so right, cooking is all about confidence. I'm pretty rubbish and in the past I always used jars/packets etc. Since being on the forum I have tried really hard with my meals and I cannot believe the difference it makes to the budget. I was so proud of myself making a cheese sauce the other day!

8 Portions of chicken stew in the sc and I might just go and make some breadcrumbs now.

Have a lovely day. x

KolaKube

Wow Tilly! Thank you for taking the time to write such a comprehensive reply!

Luckily I am a confident cook, and I do really enjoy it Our downfall is not wanting the thing planned on the night planned and then the whole week ends up going to pot - I think we either need to learn to be flexible with our menu plans... :eek:

Kola xx

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Evening, not sure where today went

I've been reading about Slowly Fading's NSDs and I'd like to have a go. Not sure I'll remember to track them, so maybe easier to track SD's instead then deduct

Mr T is still job hunting and it's a slow old process. I think I've posted before that once he is gainfully employed we are going to OP all of his earnings. Neither of us wants to be in this position again. We can live on my income and will continue to do so afterwards.

Two weeks until our new lodger moves in :T

night, Tilly x

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi Kola, sounds like you would be a good candidate for making base type dishes, freezing them and then using to create other stuff. That way you have the feeling of 'not planning' but with the benefit of 'dinner on the table' fairly quickly.

I'm just going out so not able to out any ideas down but PM me if you want some.

Best wishes Tilly