May 2012 Grocery Challenge

Suffolk_lass

Florenceem wrote: »

so much of what I eat is HM. Not just the chemicals/additives/preservatives/flavourings thing - I just find cooking from scratch so much cheaper. You feel full for longer too.

We had a take away chinese last night - special treat and first for months. Even requesting no MSG I was so thirsty overnight. 2 cups of tea into Saturday and my dehydration headache is just starting to recede.

We also went to the cinema and saw Marvel Avengers - marvellous, really enjoyed it. DS announced he'll go and see it again with his mates now. :rotfl:

Really good fun and I had planned for it but there is a tiny bit of me that is unhappy with the food part of the spend. Given that £100 for a night out was our average for 2 of us before Christmas (infrequent but extravagant), last night was under £60 fo all three. I might cook the chinese next time... it's just the crispy duck with pancakes I am slightly reluctant to do

Have a good weekend all, I haven't got it as I'm working in NL next week and they celebrate the holiday actually on May Day

SL

MissOrganised1972

NickJW wrote: »

Thanks MunniMuncha and Florenceem.

Can anyone vouch for either of the Toad in the Hole recipes on the front page? I've never done it before, but I have an abundance of sausages in the fridge, so it is something which will be good to have on the meal plan in the near future.

I use Jamie Oliver's Happy Days Toad In The Hole recipe. It is quite fattening (lots of oil) but seems fool proof. The first time I made it, the top of the Yorkshire pudding caught fire it rose so high!! :rotfl:

animalhouse wrote: »

Well, my budget went up the swannee - following really bad stomach pain, earlier this week, I had my appendix out yesterday and DH did the shopping ...I haven't looked at the damage yet (tummy or bank account ).
Still, I'm back home and just chilling.:T

Get well soon

Suffolk_lass

S-I_am wrote: »

Berry liqueur

300g fresh berries eg, blackberries or blackcurrants,
450g sugar
1 pint water
500ml cheap vodka
2 bottles

Sterilise the bottles

Heat the berries until they begin to breakdown and they release their juice.
Add the sugar to the berries and mash with a potato masher.
Bring to the boil - this will sterilise the mixture.
Strain the mixture using a sieve and let it cool.
Once cooled, it should resemble a thin syrup. !Add the water and vodka. !Stir and then decant into the sterilised bottles.

It can be drank immediately or stored. !The alcohol content increases with age :j

I do an easier version with no cooking:

Damson vodka
12oz of damsons or berries, the same of sugar and at least half a bottle of vodka. I put it in a large jar (like a kilner or the old sweet-shop kind) and keep it on the side - every time I pass it, I turn it upside down and back the right way . The sugar breaks down and ferments the fruit and it leaches its' flavour and colour into the vodka. After maybe 8 weeks I strain it and lose the fruit, bottle it in those bottles with the spring lid and stone stoppers and I give it away at Christmas (with jams, chutneys, cakes and mince pies).

Strawberry licquer I will shortly be starting a quicker strawberry licquer a punnet of strawberries, 3 spoonfuls of sugar and around 1/3 bottle of vodka in a jar, in the fridge until I have my ladies strawberry tea in June (I serve it in the bottom of a champagne flute with sparkling wine on top decorated with fresh strawberry slices - yum) - again I strain it as the colour comes out of the strawberries and all stays in the licquer.

SL

Carmilla

I thought were were about to have another no spend day yesterday, then DH confessed a 69p sausage roll spend, as his packed lunch sandwiches were not enough, so close

What does YSmean?

Suffolk_lass

Just another quick post -

:wave:Welcome to biscuitmad - good advice on the first page of each GC month and well worth a read - best of luck

:TWell done to the late posters on April's thread, especially savingforoz and Cleggie - both in target - excellent

Get well soon animalhouse - don't lift anything too soon, even if you do feel indestructable, your stitches are not!! :eek:

Carmilla - YS is Yellow sticker or reduced food

SL

miffy257

Carmilla YS means yellow sticker that is the colour sticker they put on the reduced stuff. I had to ask that one too a few weeks ago as I had been puzzling over it for months.

OOPs someone explained it already!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks Suffolk Lass

abitofhelp

Florenceem wrote: »

This recipe is from a magazine - I think it was Woman's Realm. The feature was - Cake Of The Week - gave the cost to make - this one says - about 24p - shows how old it is!
Cost now to make - approx - not sure of syrup price - 68p.

4 ozs margarine.
2 1/2 ozs demerara sugar.
2 oz golden syrup.
2 standard eggs.
4 ozs self raising flour.


Grease tin and line base with greaseproof paper.
Cream margarine with 2 oz sugar and syrup until light and fluffy.
Gradually add eggs - beating well.
Sift then fold in flour - spoon into cake tin.
Cook in deep 6 inch round cake tin ( centre of oven ) at 180 c for 55 min or until cooked.
Cool on wire rack and sprinkle remaining 1/2 sugar on top of cake.
I cut into eight slices.
Can be frozen.

Thanks for the recipe, i shall make that tomorrow afternoon.
NSD for me today, in fact i dont think i will be leaving the house.

Spiggle

Wow! Page 29 already!!!

Life has become much more hectic and busy lately so I haven't been able to keep up with you lovely money savers. I have seen some brilliant saving, support and encouragement so not a lot has changed there thankfully.

I'm in for the GC again this month and will keep the sig updated as much as possible.

Off on a mooch around for five minutes now and then more to do offline. Keep those purses closed and your lists in your hand!

All the best,
Spigs

franby64

Morning

After another S*ins shop my total is now £223.60, over halfway through already...it's all planned though - honestly!

Kylieminoag

oops - may have poisoned DH making him eat leftovers:eek:.... guess I'm gonna be busy mopping the fevered brow this wekend! (Well he wanted to lose weight anyway!)

That'll stop me getting to the shops! A couple of NSDs may help the budget

(funny how the rest of the family ate the same thing and are fine......:rotfl:)

Hope you all have a happy bank holiday