Anyone got a nice spaghetti and meatballs recipe?

Moniker

Hi everyone, just got back from my big shop and have updated my signature. Still on course as I have £66 to last till the end of the month and I won't need to buy much before next Thursday - though I notice that I forgot to get foil and sunflower oil so that will cost me another £5 or so!

My DH went mad an bought me a Valentine's present which he doesn't usually - a really nice (and expensive!) fountain pen. I was really surprised as he doen't usually remember birthdays or anniversaries etc! So I'll forgive the extravagance as it doesn't happen often - usually he comes to me for his spending money and doesn't normally buy anything without consulting me first - after nearly 32 years I have got him well trained- bless!

theamazinggem

hey kids, i'm back at work after my week's jolly. :mad: but at least i can catch up with you all

had a lovely time in edinburgh, chatted ourselves into a room upgrade so very happy, totally exhausted from all the walking (it's nice and flat where i live, none of this hill business), and a bit fat tbh from all the food and drink.

got back to london Tuesday for my lovely stay in the Hoxton for a quid (yay). and then woke up yesterday morning, on my birthday no less, with full on stomach lurg.

oh well, at least i had a good time in the week, and my mum swears blind she's only spent £20 all week on food, so that's a bonus. not to mention not spending on any lunch today...

doubt will have time to read back a week's worth, this thread is huge now, but hello and well done and all the other stuff, and hope you're all well. :beer:

mikeD

rosieben wrote: »

MikeD, hope your dw is fully recovered

Thanks for asking Rosie. Yes she's doing OK now, the arm is much better and she has been signed off from the hospital. She's also back making cakes and things :jand noseying around to see what I am doing . She likes to keep an eye on me you know to make sure I don't burn the water when cooking dinner.

As for you being Mrs Mcawber I think you're great enough just being yourself :A.

MRSMCAWBER

Hi there savingfortravel

The creamy tomato sauce is easy to replace :T .. all you need is a carton of passata -or chopped tomatoes if you prefer, a pinch of herbs and seasoning, warm it up in a pan -or in the micro..and add a dollop of low fat philli -or the own brand version.. keep over a low heat and stir until the cheese dissolves...
I do this a lot as my hubby has a thing about things being too "tomatoey"

hope it helps

miss_olive

hi

I thought I'd give this a go as I'm desperate short for pennies.

I have my self to feed and I like healthy home cooked food and my boyfreind who has the appetite of the whole combined british forces so any tips or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Lil_me please put me down for £160 for march

fingers crossed

savingfortravel

Hi MRS MCWABER!!!
Thank you so much! :T

That tomato sauce sounds delicious! Which herbs would you recommend-as I'm not an experienced cook!! Would basil be ok?
I understand you're a legend on this site so I feel honoured you've replied and have added your sauce in the SFT HM cookery book I started this morning.
For me this isn't just about saving money. I also want to be more aware of what goes in my food. I dread to think what goes in Ready Meals.
I would welcome any ideas for:

• OB's sandwich fillers (he is happy with most things but picks up packs of ham/beef at Mr T for convenience-cost £4.50 for 15 portions)
• Ready Meals-2 fish pies are on my March shopping list -price £5.98 -I eat fish but not meat (not an evangelist-I believe each to their own-OB loves his meat).

Thanks in advance for any help.

savingfortravel

Hi Miss Olive
Welcome to the site!!!!
Lots of support and ideas given.
Like you, I'm new but everyone is friendly, nice and very wise.
Hope you do really well and achieve your goal!!
I'll read your updates with interest.
:T

Oh and can I say hi to Mike D as well. Hope you and Mrs Mike enjoy a lovely Valentines' Day.

MRSMCAWBER

Hi savingfortravel

A legend :rotfl: :rotfl: not sure about that ... im just a devil for making "concoctions" out of what needs using up in the fridge;)

YEP basil would be fine -the herbs i would go for would be oregano, basil, etc... but you can get tubs of mixed dried herbs in all the supermarkets -and they will pretty much have all the "Italian" herbs in that you get in ready made sauces

I don't know if your OB would like it but if you have a lidl near by i think on the 18th of this month they are having their 1kilo gammon joints on offer at £2.99 - you just wang them in a pan, cover with cold water, bring to the boil, reduce and cook for about 1 hr (i think you should find the instructions on the lable) - i still have 3 in the freezer from last time they were on offer .. you should get loads of meals off of one of those... i leave it over night in the fridge to go cold and then you can slice it nice and thinly..
Its great warm with potatoes veg and parsley sauce -and then i freeze it up in portions for salads, sandwiches, pasta dishes etc... and the water you cook it in makes lovely soup:T would work out a lot cheaper than ready sliced meats..

I agree with you it's not just about the pennies -but knowing what is in the food we eat... heck i can't even read some of the ingredients you see on the backs of packets:eek: ....
Im sure you will be cooking up a storm in no time
I will have a rummage and see what recipe ideas i can come up with that you might be able to use

MRSMCAWBER

Hi there savingfortravel

Just a quick one

found this recipe...thought it might be a place to start and you can alsways alter to suit what you like -not sure about the eggs myself !!!
I love this whole site..they have brilliant recipes from.. hope its of some use


http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/3174/fish-pie--in-four-steps

Bobbykins

Hi Miss saving for travel


Fish pie a la bobbykins:-

1 lb fish - any kind but I tend to use haddock or even cod if I'm feeling flush! - or you could use a mixture of types
approx 1/2 pint milk
1 heaped tablespoon flour
A good handful chopped fresh parsley
1 oz butter/marge
A load of mashed potatoes!

Put the fish in a pan with just enough liquid to cover. You can use all milk but I use half and half milk/water. Add salt & pepper, a sprinkle of paprika if you have it, and a bay leaf. Poach gently for about 10 -15 ins until fish is cooked.

Remove the fish and retain the liquid. Flake the fish.

Make up the liquid to 1/2 pint with extra milk. Melt 1 oz butter in a pan. Remove from heat. Stir in the flour until it makes a smooth paste. Gradually add the milk, stirring all the time to stop it going lumpy. Return to heat. and bring gently to the boil, STIRRING ALL THE TIME. Once boiling it will thicken. Add parsley and seasoning, simmer very gently for approx 3 minutes., stirring regularly.

Mix the fish and sauce lightly together with a fork. Brush a casserole dish with melted butter. Put the fish and sauce in the bottom. Top with lashings of mashed potatoes. Bung in the oven for approx 25 - 30 mins at gas mark 6 (200 degrees).

Enjoy!

(Looks/sounds a lot more complicated than it is.....it is a doddle, honest.)

love

Bobby

PS. If I'm really flush, I put some cooked prawns in it too!


EDIT Oops, Mrs McC posted her link whilst I was still typing out my recipe. She's too darn quick for me! Still, you have a choice of 2 now!. By the way, my recipe makes enough for 4 people. HTH