Getting Salad Down to Under 36p per Portion

iris

I use 'little gem' lettuce. I bought 2 x 2 packets at 49p per packet from Aldi and we are still eating them over 3 weeks later.


I also buy celery from aldi and this has lasted over 3 weeks as well.


I buy my tomatoes from Tesco at £1 per pack, which again have lasted over 3 weeks.


I paid 39p for a whole cucumber and I still have over half left in the fridge.


I wrap all the above produce in foil (except for tomatoes)and keep in the fridge and it usually lasts up to 4 weeks.


At the moment the following produce is only 39p at aldi


Spring Onions
- Celery
- Cherry Tomatoes (300g)
- Cucumber


In the spring/summer I grow my lettuce in our cold-frame.

maman

If you eat salad regularly then you won't have a problem with keeping it fresh but for those that do:


I buy baby spinach instead of salad leaves at this time of the year then I can always stir it into casseroles/curry/Bolognese to use it up rather than waste any.


I'm happy to spend on tomatoes, peppers and spring onions as I can always cook with those. I get all of mine in Aldi.


Iceberg is about the best lettuce for keeping IMO but it's also pretty tasteless!


Another tip I read (not tried it myself yet) is to buy those growing salads that they often have in Lidl and plant out the plants in pots where they'll keep growing.


I've certainly grown my own leaves from seed and that works if you've got some outside space later in the year.

pennypincher3562

I'll try a few variations based on the above ideas, and post the cost here later.

Thanks
PennyPincher3562

stephen77

Iceberg = 50-60p a head (about 400g)
Cucumber 60p per stick (about 400g)
Radish = 60p for 200g
Celery = 60p for about 400g.
They are the price in lidl. Not sure how the other super markets compare.


My local market
500g of cherry tomatoes = £1
500g of sweet long peppers = £1


Total = £4.40 for 2.2kg.
I spread this out 5 days at work. While it costs more than your, my portion size is going to be bigger.


Generally Iceberg and cucumber are cheaper vegs that can be used to bulk out a salad.

pennypincher3562

Thanks Stephen77, I pretty much like the ideas suggested by everyone. Probably my least favourite is Iceberg lettuce - years ago used to eat it all the time, then realised it was tasteless, and read somewhere it has little nutritional value....

I've looked at mysupermarket.co.uk, spinach is a good bit cheaper than rocket, and supposedly has nutrients in it - though I never thought it much taste to it either.

List of nutrients in spinach:
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=43

Cheers
PennyPincher3562

stephen77

pennypincher3562 wrote: »

Thanks Stephen77, I pretty much like the ideas suggested by everyone. Probably my least favourite is Iceberg lettuce - years ago used to eat it all the time, then realised it was tasteless, and read somewhere it has little nutritional value....

I've looked at mysupermarket.co.uk, spinach is a good bit cheaper than rocket, and supposedly has nutrients in it - though I never thought it much taste to it either.

Iceberg is lower in nutrients but as its 1/3 of the price of some of the other lettuce leaves. I eat 3 times more of it.
I am trying to fill myself up on low kcal/ high fibre foods so its a good cheap filler.


Rocket is much nicer than spinach. Though that's as I prefer pepper over earthy notes.


I would probably alternate. One week go for rocket and next with spinach. Keep in a bit of variety so it does not get boring and cover all your bases nutritionally.

tori.k

Broccoli & Apple with a lemon mayo dressing is a favorite of ours

mix raw broccoli, diced apple, grated carrot and a half finely sliced onion I add in a handful of raisins ( but then I add a handful of raisins to most things ) toss in mayo mixed with a good slug of lemon juice not sure of exact costings as it's stuff I always have to hand so it will be less then a £1