April 2012 Grocery Challenge

jumblejack

Florenceem wrote: »

What's the idea of sprinkling salt on top of the pie - I wouldn't be doing that - don't use salt.

Florenceem wrote: »

What's the idea of sprinkling salt on top of the pie - I wouldn't be doing that - don't use salt.

I made a huge batch of shortcrust to use for both savoury and sweet pies so I didn't add salt or sugar to the batch.

The apple pies were sprinkled VERY generously with sugar after the eggy wash which made the pastry sweet and crisp and the meat pies were sprinkled lightly with salt after the eggy wash to season it slightly.

Works for me. It's easier than making 2 different batches of pastry.

jumblejack

zepsgal wrote: »

I'm already over this month, my month doesn't end til the last day of the month :mad:

Really annoyed with DH though. We had a 'disagreement' over money at the weekend. He got a tax rebate and decided to buy himself a large purchase (50% of the rebate). I know that he needed what he bought, and I did agree that he should buy it, but..... Still doesn't make it easier with the amount that was spent on it.

So, he goes out on Saturday with a friend to buy said item. He said he would take care of dinner when he came home. Turned out him and his friend decided to buy an indian takeaway :mad: So another what, £15 for that for me and him?? THEN he pulls out a bag of 'goodies' from MrT's that he bought 'to cheer me up' :mad: Must have spent a good £15 on that as well!! :eek:

I tried to explain that him spending money on carp to appease me after spending £600+ that morning wasn't the best idea!!

Hehe

Its hard for men to understand how thrifty women's minds work!

My OH would NEVER buy me cut flowers again after I choked the first time round when I asked him how much he had spent!:eek: I couldn't stop my mind from mentally working out how many meals I could have made from the same amount!

The second time round, I was bought a bag of bulbs which still bring me joy every year. It takes time, but he will get it in the end!!

jumblejack

My "tidy up" dinner!

Everything is YS apart from the bacon which needed using up (weekend Lidl offer).

Spicy roast pepper and lentil soup is in the thermal cooker to be whizzed up later for tomorrows lunch.

Edit:
Whizzed it up now
The dark bits are toasted cumin seeds, btw

Florenceem

jumblejack wrote: »

I made a huge batch of shortcrust to use for both savoury and sweet pies so I didn't add salt or sugar to the batch.

The apple pies were sprinkled VERY generously with sugar after the eggy wash which made the pastry sweet and crisp and the meat pies were sprinkled lightly with salt after the eggy wash to season it slightly.

Works for me. It's easier than making 2 different batches of pastry.

I only add sugar to a mince pie pastry mix. I don't add salt to pastry - never have done. Do you make your pastry in a mixer/processor?

Florenceem

jumblejack wrote: »

Hehe

Its hard for men to understand how thrifty women's minds work!

My OH would NEVER buy me cut flowers again after I choked the first time round when I asked him how much he had spent!:eek: I couldn't stop my mind from mentally working out how many meals I could have made from the same amount!

The second time round, I was bought a bag of bulbs which still bring me joy every year. It takes time, but he will get it in the end!!

Mr F never gets me flowers - knows I don't do flowers!

Barbeduk

Just wanted to put my full stop in for April, have spent another £1.75 on milk and rolls which takes me to a total of £256.95 for the month.

My challenge for May is to learn how to make pastry and pies that look as good as Jumblejack's.

Have found that turning into a vegetarian is what stops me from going over budget in the final week, doesn't work on the kids though!

jumblejack

Florenceem wrote: »

I only add sugar to a mince pie pastry mix. I don't add salt to pastry - never have done. Do you make your pastry in a mixer/processor?

I havent got one. No space, I'm afraid. I have my hand blender but that's it.

Pastry is done by hand in minutes.
I just measure my flour and fat (1 part fat, 2 parts flour) then put in some water, enough to bind it. Then I roughly mix with a fork until it starts to ball up. Then it's ready for rolling. I never work my dough. I find less effort gives a greater result:T
Suits me

Florenceem

jumblejack wrote: »

I havent got one. No space, I'm afraid. I have my hand blender but that's it.

Pastry is done by hand in minutes.
I just measure my flour and fat (1 part fat, 2 parts flour) then put in some water, enough to bind it. Then I roughly mix with a fork until it starts to ball up. Then it's ready for rolling. I never work my dough. I find less effort gives a greater result:T
Suits me

I first got a Kenwood Chef in the 1970s. I only had 3 children then but that mixer paid for itself when I had 6 children plus students to feed. I had lots of attachments for it - they all got left behind when I moved and failed to empty that cupboard! It was a cupboard built behind the kitchen door - I had been remarried for 3 months and was desperate to move in with Mr F. I was only moving down the road! Married my neighbour.

abitofhelp

Florenceem wrote: »

I first got a Kenwood Chef in the 1970s. I only had 3 children then but that mixer paid for itself when I had 6 children plus students to feed. I had lots of attachments for it - they all got left behind when I moved and failed to empty that cupboard! It was a cupboard built behind the kitchen door - I had been remarried for 3 months and was desperate to move in with Mr F. I was only moving down the road! Married my neighbour.

awww thats so sweet Florenceem, when my ex left me i thought i would never meet someone else, i have now been with my lovely oh for 9 years and he used to live next door to my nan & grandad, dont remember him though from back then there is 8 years between us. Nsd today and tomorrow, will pop to asda maybe on way home from work on saturday evening for some ys. other than that will be going to farm shop to get fruit & veg for the week + milk as it is 99p for 4 pints.

abitofhelp

jumblejack wrote: »

My "tidy up" dinner!

Everything is YS apart from the bacon which needed using up (weekend Lidl offer).

Spicy roast pepper and lentil soup is in the thermal cooker to be whizzed up later for tomorrows lunch.

Edit:
Whizzed it up now
The dark bits are toasted cumin seeds, btw

jumblejack i have peppers to roast, lentils and cumin seeds in stock what else do i need for that lovely looking soup. onions, garlic, herbs & stock perhaps? please