May 2013 Grocery Challenge

WantToBeSE

lbnblbnb wrote: »

I don't know about the beans, Lidl and Aldi always seem to have very few beans when I go in.
It might not suit you, but after I saw someone posting about bags of frozen pulses for sale in some sm, I buy a bag of pulses every month, soak, cook in my slow cooker overnight, portion it into can sized amounts (all recipes seem to use a can as the measurement). I now have a range in the freezer and it takes little time. I use a large silicon muffin mould to freeze them in then pop them out into bags. I tried pressure cooking them but the beans seemed to pop their skins and end up mushy and not very attractive.
HTH

Thanks lb, i havent thought of this! So do you just take out of the freezer and defrost as and when you need them, then chuck into the recipe? I like that idea! Do they remain firm?

becsxxx

Hugs for those needing them throughout difficult times this week - don't be too hard on yourselves on GC x

WantToBeSE - the other thing I'd recommend for bulking up veggie (or meat for that matter) meals is pearl barley - great shoved in anything on the slow cooker or soup

£5.73 spent by DH in the village butchers on eggs and bacon to report

K9sandFelines

£1.86 spend in the C*-*p ... pack of 5 YS peppers (£1.03), YS brocolli (0.58p) and YS Kingsmill muffins (0.25p). Veg which i was going to get in my weekend grocery delivery, and bread for DD's packed lunch as she has nearly scoffed a loaf already!

Tonight's tea was asparagus carbonara - first time i've made it and it was lovely. Was missing something though, bit too bland!



Yesterday's Lemon and Poppy Seed cake

hex2

becsxxx wrote: »

pearl barley - great shoved in anything on the slow cooker or soup

Double bonus because you can make lemon barley water and then freeze the cooked barley for use in future stews, a tip (and recipe) I borrowed from the ever frugal Shirley Goode

I too cook full packets (in the pressure cooker) and freeze in tin sized portions. I did work out the economics before and from memory not worth it against value kidney beans at 21p but fine for everything else.

lbnblbnb

WantToBeSE wrote: »

Thanks lb, i havent thought of this! So do you just take out of the freezer and defrost as and when you need them, then chuck into the recipe? I like that idea! Do they remain firm?

Yes, they are fine. I either get them out in the morning and let them defrost, or give them a blast in the microwave then use them. They are not quite the same as tinned, skins are not as glossy, but very little difference. I find it really convenient. At the moment I have red kidney beans, chickpeas, pinto beans and black beans in the freezer.

Florenceem

Still not spent this week - 3 NSDs in a row.
For dinner we had roasted sweetcorn chunks with herbs plus honey roast gammon + cauliflower, carrots, onion & swede.

MrsCautious

Thanks for all your lovely kind wishes, actually managed my first full NSD of the month today and shock horror I am heading into work tomorrow, then I'm barred until the 20th so I can have a week to myself.

My AF order came and I've decided to sell some of it at a charity table top sale later in the month, with 40 (I think) cupcakes for £1, I think it makes sense. They are in date I think. I also have 12 bottles of Appletise for £2.49 so may sell these as well. My daughters had a cake sale at school last week and made £135, partly down to AF stock/baking ingredients. But I didn't tell them that was where it was from. There were some beautiful mixes for cupcakes etc.

Thank you and hugs to you bargainbetty for your thoughtful wishes, as you can imagine, my heart is broken for our daughters

Billie-jo

Thank you so much everyone for your kind words and thoughts today , what a lovely bunch of people you all are. :grouphug:

Had to get some fruit this morning as only had two small oranges left. Spent £8.60 plus we also brought flowers but not counting these in the GC.

For tea we had piri piri chicken wings, wedges and salad. OMG they were extra hot but delicious. Then had some fresh pineapple which was refreshing and cooling.

Have taken something out of the freezer ready for tomorrow but not sure what it is yet.
I really must label my food better. Am edging on it being rather thin pork steaks but will let you know.

WantToBeSE

Thanks everyone for the tips re beans and pulses Will keep you updated. Tempted to go and get some wine and chocolate from Tesco tonight, but am going to stick to my 'No Alcohol on a week night' rule..as well as making sure today stays a NSD

liz-paul

Just in case anyone wants to know - I made the no bake key lime pie from the recipe index last month. Made 2 and froze one to see if it worked. It works great! You can defrost it and eat it, eat it still frozen and best of all you can slice it while frozen and just defrost a slice at a time.