Feed a family of four for £20 a week challenge

Bobarella

New Shadow -wow you do sound like the go to person for a friend in need. And love your grans irish stew bless her. You are right that it all comes down to upbringing.
Nurse Maggie -take your point too on space. That must be irritating?

I will be trying to build up a small store from pay day. I've already got some good ideas just from reading a few days. Like freezing super 6 veg whilst on special. I wouldn't think of chopping and freezing my own veg so that's a great tip whoever said that one (sorry bad memory)

Girlafraid

NewShadow wrote: »

I think the recipie is for 4 - I've thrown the bag now so can't check, but yes - I use 1/5th of a bag (half and half with lentils) to do 5 meals and it's pleasantly 'mincey'.

For vegan white sauces you can use non-dairy milks - Soy/ Almond/ Rice.

Problem is that they tend to be more expensive unless you make your own

soy milk is cheaper than cow milk, (if you buy organic etc) or as close to as not to be an issue, but the nut/oat/rice milks are stupid prices, i now actually prefer soy milk in my cheese sauces/yorkshires etc, last time i made yorkshires with cow milk they were rubbish, :rotfl:
And wow at that rice milk recipe, i am so making that tomorrow. i'll report back on how good or bad it is. THANKYOU

NewShadow

Girlafraid wrote: »

(if you buy organic etc)

Erm... does 12 cartons of UHT count

I really need UHT for making my yogurts and cheeses - It means I don't have to worry about boiling, then cooling it.

I can normally get it for less than 50p per L

I like to use soy when making rice pudding - It gives it a lovely nutty flavour (with a hint of nutmeg:rotfl:)

NewShadow

Oh, and I wanted to post some old threads I've been perusing that may be of interest if you're looking for vegan related inspiration.

Going vegan......old style?! - https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/1451243

Gingham's Vegetarian Meal Planner - https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/2857738#Comment_2857738

Cheap but tasty veg/vegan recipes? - https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4395135

Vegan packed lunch ideas? - https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3835831

Butterfly_Brain

Butterfly's Mushroom Risotto.
Serves 4

250g arborio or, as I am using the reduced to 49p for 500g short grain rice in Aldi 25p

500ml vegetable stock or two stock cubes made up 16p

A clove or two of garlic, crushed or you can use garlic salt or puree 10p

A sliced onion, fried 10p

A good knob of butter 15p

Mushrooms, wiped and sliced, whatever you have, I like to use chestnut because they are full of flavour 89p But I have been known to use the cheap button mushrooms from the market 50p, But try not to use the large flat mushrooms as it turn the risotto a murky grey colour.

Put the butter in a large pan and melt gently
rinse the rice well, drain in a sieve then add to the pan and coat it fully in the butter.

Gradually add stock to the rice, making sure the stock is absorbed fully before adding the next lot of stock, keep doing this until all the rice is absorbed.

Meanwhile in between adding the stock, saute the mushrooms in butter with the garlic, add to the pan with the rice and fry an onion and add that as well, stir through and add more stock, allow it to absorb and serve.

Butterfly_Brain

Other family fave risotto's are

Bacon and pea

Bacon and Mushroom

Chicken, mushroom and pepper

Sausage, onion and pea

Cheese risotto using whatever cheese you have, great for using after Christmas cheese

Cheese and bacon risotto

Chicken and chorizo risotto

Lemon chicken risotto

Lemony Prawn risotto

Beetroot risotto

I have done a mackerel risotto using tinned mackerel

And when we were really skint a sardine risotto again using tinned sardines

Butterfly_Brain

Risotto Balls

Left over risotto
a ball of mozzarella cut into small chunks
2 eggs
flour
breadcrumbs

Form the risotto into balls and press a piece of mozzarella in the middle.

Roll in flour then eggs and lastly breadcrumbs.

Deep fry until golden, drain on kitchen paper and serve with salad and a dip of choice

Pips_Mum

We have rissotto quite often, its one of my rubber Gammon meals!

Butterfly_Brain

So do I pips mum it is great for using up leftovers

Bobarella

So far this week I have only spent £5.50 on food. Have Food enough for tommorow. On Friday my son is out at a friends for dinner so only have to feed husband and I thankfully. After that just 6 more days till we get paid.