March 2014 Grocery Challenge

mags50_2

Afternoon all

Have spent £47 already on odds and sods! It's mainly on cleaning stuff that will last us for ages... About 3 months so I'm not too worried.

Friends around for tea tonight so we're finishing off the pork/cider casserole we had yesterday with added dumplings, carrots and peas. Also chicken tikka (another dish from yesterday) with Bombay potatoes and I've enough chapatti flour left to make a few of them. Going to also make a tray of roast potatoes to go with both.

Not sure about pud yet but got a bag of summer fruits out of freezer, some bought meringues (from AF) and dream topping. Might do a steamed pud as well.

Then we will have a few rounds of UNO....we love playing cards! Didn't think I would ever be writing that 20 years ago....oh the joys of old age lol

Billie-jo

Internet connection was very bad here yesterday so gave up trying to post. Yesterday and today have been NSD
On Saturday I had lamb curry, rice and last of the radishes and DH had prawn curry with rice.
Sunday we had cottage pie and also made three small ones extra which mum has taken one and two are in the freezer. Today I have made some mushroom soup using up the last of the mushrooms and a half of leek that was left. Tonight we are having fish and salad.

tattycath

Billie-jo wrote: »

Internet connection was very bad here yesterday so gave up trying to post. Yesterday and today have been NSD
On Saturday I had lamb curry, rice and last of the radishes and DH had prawn curry with rice.
Sunday we had cottage pie and also made three small ones extra which mum has taken one and two are in the freezer. Today I have made some mushroom soup using up the last of the mushrooms and a half of leek that was left. Tonight we are having fish and salad.

Your makes look yummy!

cw18

Kayalana99 wrote: »

My sister has a costco card so will talk to her nicely about that perhaps bulk buying chicken breasts their or something? No idea about what their prices are like havn't been.

The skinless and boneless chicken breasts are a bit dearer than Mr A's smartprice, but less than Mr T's value. But you also have to take into account than they don't shrink when cooked (so I only need 2 breast for 3 people if I'm making enchilladas or similar with them) and taste like chicken used to 30 years ago! But I really only use them for a 'roast' type dinner, as the skinless and boneless thighs are superb and make the most wonderful casseroles (and soups).

The mince is that lean my OH was putting oil into the pan to brown it otherwise it stuck - that was until he saw that I put the chopped onion in with the raw mince, and the moisture from the onion prevents the sticking.

The stewing steak is dearer than Mr T's value but cheaper than all their other types, and it's almost totally fat free (unlike the value) and so tender it's unbelievable.

The pork chops stay 'sqeaky moist' even after 20 minutes of moderate grilling, and taste like pork from a specialised pork butcher rather than a supermarket.

I'd strongly recommend Costc0 meat to anyone who can get access, has freezer space (it all comes in large trays of 2-3kg type weights), and can afford the initial outlay.

Also worth checking out are the chopped tomatoes. They do the Valfutt@ ones in a tray of 12, which work out a fraction of a penny cheaper than Mr T's value (and the juice is much thicker).

Note: If you don't hold a membership card in your own name you can't pay on a bank card - strictly cash only. Cash or debit card for members.

lovefullshelves

£4.80 in aldi on assorted bread rolls and milk!
I've stuck the grocery budget to the kitchen notice board..see if anyone notices that we HAVE a budget!

bmma

First spend for March's budget £41.93
£41.93/£250.00p

cinnamonpie

Franigan wrote: »

For the food:
I actually have quite a bit to make, but it's all soooo boring! I wanted to try a more exciting* menu but it will get very costly!

YS are not an option as I find they are rubbish both where I live and work! For example, 2 chicken breasts for 3.01 in Tesco (when lucky) or a medium-ish whole chicken for still £ 5.something or £4.98. Head Cabbage or Broccoli £0.50 instead of £1. Bread £0.45.
On here I sometimes read about vegetables practically given away!! ..I guess when I can go it's never the right time!

But take me with a pinch of salt, I just like to have a good whinge!! :rotfl:

I know what you mean- I like a good whinge too :beer: I used to live somewhere where YS were not very good. Are there any shops between where you live and work that you haven't had a look yet? It also pays to find out when your local shop reduces items. If I fancy some YS goodies I now go to my local co-op where I know the lady comes out with the stickers at 5pm to reduce all the YS again (sometimes for the third time). That is the time when I like to go. I have also noticed that while most shops have a YS section somewhere, some things are reduced but still in their normal places. So when I go shopping I like to mooch about the isles a bit and have a look whether I can spot any stickers.

I agree with the others re veggie meals. It tends to be healthier than too much meat as well as cheaper. My stand-by meal is usually a soup. Anything tastes good in soup form and the best thing is there is only one pan to wash up! ;-) I normally just boil chopped up veggies (most kinds will work) in water and a stock cube. You can add pearl barley or lentils for a bit of protein or milk mixed with a bit of flour to make it thicker. I have also in the past put in odd bits of cheese, chopped up chorizo, chopped up leftover sausages or meat. Chorizo is really good because a little goes a long way. You can also use frozen vegetables, which are a lot cheaper than fresh. I also dry torn-up bits of bread and make "croutons", which my bf loves.

You see- sometimes cooking without a plan is very exciting Most afternoons I won't know what I will cook for dinner but I will open the fridge and the cupboards and see what I fancy/what needs using up.

As for my spend, I paid £2.69 today on YS items. Got 2 pints organic milk (39p), 2 tub chocolate philadelphia (53p each), 2 smoked haddock fillets (85p) and 1 bag parsnips (39p). I see some parsnip soup with smoked haddock in our very near future...

ikesmummy

Delicious dinner tonight - We had butter bean stew with dumplings and some veg from the freezer. I have put a second meals worth (for the four of us) in Tupperware for the freezer and me and DH both have some for lunch tomorrow.

Last time I did this one sone fat refused to eat it nd the other only ate it protesting the whole time. Tonight one wolfed it down saying "thank you mummy this is delicious" (very cute in his little 4 year old voice) and my eldest ate it without too much fuss although it obviously isn't his favourite just yet



I have got chickpea and sweet potato on the plan for next week but as it has quite a few spices not sure if I am going to dish it up for the boys or do them something else?

kayester

ikesmummy wrote: »

I have got chickpea and sweet potato on the plan for next week but as it has quite a few spices not sure if I am going to dish it up for the boys or do them something else?

maybe chopped tomatoes to cool it down after your serving?

SarahB1989_2

ikesmummy wrote: »

I have got chickpea and sweet potato on the plan for next week but as it has quite a few spices not sure if I am going to dish it up for the boys or do them something else?

You could either reduce the spices (serve theirs first and then add extra spice to yours), or add a bit of yoghurt to cool it down?