Make do, Mend and Minimise in 2015

bargainhunterss

Ches wrote: »

Silvasava, google Paul Holywood scones its the best recipe ever.

Ches, this may sound like a silly question but what is the difference between 'strong white flour' and just plain old 'plain flour'? Paul's recipe says you should use the former, but is the latter cheaper?

EmberJ

I do hope you don't mind me joining. I know it is rather late in the year, but from what I've read so far (52 pages!) I think this is exactly what I need to help get me started with how I want to live. I've notice that most of you are older than me, I think, I'm 19. I honestly don't have much of a clue how to save more money, currently shop around for bargains, but only shop once a month, I'd love to start growing my own, but think I have left it too late in the year for most things. I can cook confidently, and I have been crocheting for 7 years, sewing confidently for 1. I repair and of our current clothes, and like to make my own skirts and dresses currently. My fiance and I live together with two dogs and four cats, in a terraced house with a quite long narrow garden, that has quite simply been destroyed by the dogs. my father in law to be also lives with us, and pays the gas, electric, internet and council tax bill. we dont have much in the way of tv, just netflix. I'm out of work due to ill health, shocking at my age I know, so we mostly survive on my fiances wage. we pay all other bills including the total food bill for all humans and animals. I'm hoping by waffling on quite so much about the household that you will be able to help me think of more ways to save, and make do. any advice shared will be gratefully received and clung to as I hate waste. Many thanks,
Ember

Ches

bargainhunterss wrote: »

Ches, this may sound like a silly question but what is the difference between 'strong white flour' and just plain old 'plain flour'? Paul's recipe says you should use the former, but is the latter cheaper?

Its bread flour you need to use. That with the large amount of baking powder makes the scones extra light and fluffy.

bargainhunterss

Ches wrote: »

Its bread flour you need to use. That with the large amount of baking powder makes the scones extra light and fluffy.

Thanks Ches!

bargainhunterss

Welcome Ember! I would still call myself a newbie on this thread, but everyone on here is lovely and they've always got lots of ideas about saving the pennies (and pounds!)

Athome1

Welcome Ember, I'm fairly new on here too and tend to lurk!! You'll learn loads and it is such a lovely place to visit:)

EmberJ

Thanks Bargainhunteress, and athome, read so many pages now my head is buzzing with ideas! have lurked for two days now, got our shop tomorrow, really looking forward to putting the ideas i've read into place (:

vhalla1478

Hi Folks,

Hope you all have had a good day and a warm welcome to Ember- young blood is always welcome.:rotfl:

As promised, here's the recipe I mentioned:

Cumin-scented aubergine and potato curry -serves 4

A large aubergine, 225g potatoes, boiled in their skins and cooled, 3tbsp sunflower or olive oil, half tsp black mustard seeds, half tsp nigella seeds, half tsp fennel seeds, finely chopped onion, 1 inch piece freshly grated ginger, 2 green chillies, half tsp cumin, tsp ground coriander, tsp ground turmeric, half tsp chilli powder, tbsp. tomato puree, 15 fl oz warm water, tsp salt, half tsp garam masala, 2 tbsp. chopped fresh coriander leaves, Indian bread, to serve.

Cut aubergine into roughly 2 in pieces and soak in cold water. Peel the cooked potatoes and cut into cubes about the same size as the aubergine. Set aside.

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat. When hot, add the mustard seeds and as soon as they start popping add the nigella and fennel seeds.

Add the onion, ginger, and chillies and cook for 7-8 minutes until the mixture begins to brown. Add the cumin, coriander, turmeric and chilli powder. Cook for about a minute, then add the tomato puree. Cook for a further minute, pour in the warm water, then add the salt and aubergine (drained). Bring to the boil and cook over a medium heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently. At the start of cooking the aubergine will float, but once it soaks up the liquid it will sink quite quickly. When it does, add the potatoes and cook for a further 2-3 minutes, stirring.

Stir in the garam masala and chopped coriander and remove from the heat. Serve with Indian bread. And enjoy!

Have a good evening. I have a visitor coming for supper - my singer friend - and I've neither started cooking or put my face on yet!

Viv xx

EmberJ

Hello ladies, sorry for another post so soon, but what do you recommend for a good store cupboard? I have a lot of baking stuff as I bake alot but any ideas and recommendations would be lovely, as have rather a short shopping list for the month after doing my inventory last night so would like to build up a good store of things. Thanks

vhalla1478

Hello again,

I'd start with basic dry goods, ie pasta, rice, couscous, and then add things like spices, anchovies, sun dried tomatoes - it really depends what sort of food you like- but anything that 'lifts' your every day ingredients. You don't have to rush and buy them all at once - do a menu plan for a couple of weeks and add the 'extras' as you need them. I live in the middle of nowhere so try and keep a stock in of all my 'basics'. So I would add to the above things like parmesan cheese, bacon pieces, herbs (grow in garden or on window sill if you can), tins of tomatoes, borlotti beans, chick peas , tomato puree, chicken livers, mustards, dried and mixed, Worcestershire sauce, tabasco, wine vinegar, olive oil, olives, dried chillies, lemons, garlic, ginger.

Hope this helps rather than confuses!

Viv xx