2012 Frugal Living Challenge (Part 1)

HappyTorty

twiglet98 wrote: »

OS is a brilliant board!

I have NEVER made a soup that is remotely edible. I've tried slow-cooking chicken carcasses, but it ends up full of tiny bones and lots of grease. I think I must overcook veg soup, and get the seasoning all wrong, so it just tastes cabbagey, even if there's no cabbage in it.

My son makes a fab potato and leek soup, my brother makes a chicken and veg soup which is divine, either left chunky (my favourite) or blended smooth (my mother's preference). I'm on the slippery slope now, mid 50s and still rubbish at cooking, the only thing I can make with confidence is shepherds pie, which happens to be my favourite dish. DD's partner is a chef-lecturer and they are both wonderful cooks of zingy sauces, stir-fries, Asian-inspired food, which does nothing for my confidence, as I prefer casseroles, potatoes, stuff they call 'stodge' and I call 'nursery food', and they don't eat puddings, so my crumbles, rice puddings and steamed sponges just contribute to my ever-expanding middle-aged-spread!

Foolproof soup recipes very welcome please, I throw out SO much food and DD/partner are suspicious of whoopsie stickers anyway.

Any links to foolproof bread recipes welcome too!

Simple Veg soup - Any veg you wish, chopped, lentils are always good. then add some stock (the cubes dissolved in water are fine. I think ham stock adds a bit of extra flavour if all you're using is veg) and boil then simmer! Just keep checking on it and tasting it. I sometimes add soy sauce or various spices and herbs.

My mum quite often makes her soup in her pressure cooker. I may have to invest in one!

CT19720

I'm an avid reader of this thread, and have learnt so much since following it.

This site, is the one that I use to make soups from as they are easy to make - so far I have done the leek and potato, french onion and my favourite is mushroom.

I also make a chunky chicken soup, exactly the same way as Mistibee.

slowlyfading

CT19720 - thanks for posting those links

How is everyone doing? This thread is getting quieter and quieter I'm attempting my first roast dinner today....! for 5 people! Kinda nervous, it's silly Going to have roast chicken, with roast potatoes and parsnips, mashed sweet potato, carrots, sprouts, broccoli and gravy. yum!

Right, best go and start to prep the veg... have a good day everyone!

Igamogam

OH busy making bread - the results will be great but it does take over the kitchen a bit

seriouslyfrugal

I'm still here - I read everyday

life has been hectic what with swimming, walking and cbt which is going well

i'm glad things went well for you slowly

watched " salmon fishing in the Yemen" yesterday which is really worth a watch

I think the reason we are quiet is that we are all busy being frugal

:rotfl: :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

I hope everyone is ok & have a good week

twiglet98

We are still on Part 1, aren't we? We didn't start a Part 2 for the second quarter of the year?

slowlyfading

twiglet98 wrote: »

We are still on Part 1, aren't we? We didn't start a Part 2 for the second quarter of the year?

Because not many people post so the thread isn't too long so we felt there was no need to start a new thread for now!

HappyTorty

I'm going to have to be proper frugal from now on. First house away from family! Just bought the fridge freezer so thats a lot of money gone. (managed to find a cheap one on Boots and get £8.16 in points from it too!). Made sure to get an energy efficient one which will help with bills.

Going to have to get my savings built up again as they've nearly all gone. No idea how I'm going to save money but I'll spend a few hours some day/night and trawl through the many many many threads!!!

Winchelsea

seriouslyfrugal is right - the frugal life takes time to do properly, so there's less time for sitting in front of a screen (more's the pity!)

Have just read "The Moneyless Man" (Mark Boyle) and "The Man Who Quit Money" (by Mark Sundeen, about Daniel Suelo) - both interesting. Couldn't be that extreme myself though!

HappyTorty

I love books. I have too many books so am trying to avoid more lol! unless i get somebody else to buy it hehe. Less time in front of the comp and tv is always a good thing
thanks for those suggestions xxx