Is it possible

dlb

elly2 wrote: »

i want to start old style cooking but am finding at times it is more expensive than the normal junk they still want to eat

It can be more expensive to start with, i found this as i needed to get my store cupboard filled up with the basics, but once you have got this stuff in it becomes esaier and cheaper.

It also takes time to find cheap recipes that your family like, our favourite treats are weetabix cake (made with value weetabix and dried fruit again value range) and hob-nobs are just yummy and so chaep to make, i have worked out roughly it costs me 50p for 30 huge hob nob biscuits and they take about 15 mins to make from start to finish.

As for kids eating more than they need, i hide my food only leave so much out that they can find, crisps ect only a few packs in treat box and fill up when i think its ready.

DebtphobicDeirdre

:wave: Dear ELLY2
congratulations on clearing your loans-you must be doing well- and sleeping better at night as well,no doubt. You are right in your meal planningscheme, it will make a big difference. Some of our favourite cheap meals are:
egg, beans and chips
corned beef hash
macaroni cheese
broth made from leftover meat and veg
homemade lasagne
homemade chilli
savoury mince
Batch cooking and freezing will also help and homemade treats can be put in the freezer as soon as cool. Empty breakfast cereal bags are great for freezing. Hope this helps and good luck!

elly2

dlb wrote: »

It can be more expensive to start with, i found this as i needed to get my store cupboard filled up with the basics, but once you have got this stuff in it becomes esaier and cheaper.

It also takes time to find cheap recipes that your family like, our favourite treats are weetabix cake (made with value weetabix and dried fruit again value range) and hob-nobs are just yummy and so chaep to make, i have worked out roughly it costs me 50p for 30 huge hob nob biscuits and they take about 15 mins to make from start to finish.

Is there a link for the hob nob recipe please i did a search but can not find it

dlb

Elly i cant find the link (im rubish at finding them) put the recipe is as follows.
(and can i say thank you to mse member Twink whos recipe this was)
8oz oats
8oz sugar
8oz SR Flour
8oz Marg or butter
1 tbsp golden syrup
1 tbsp hot water
1/2 tsp Bcard soda

Mix flour.oats,sugar in bowl.
Melt Marg,syrup,water and bcard in pan.
Once melted mix everything together.
Making into small ball shapes and press down with back of fork.(not to big as they spread whilst cooking)
Bake for around 15 mins at 180.
You should take them out before they go to brown and golden and leave to cool before taking off the tray.They look almost not cooked but go crunchy whilst cooling.
They are yummy and if there are any left by the time they cool down they are great as a cheap pudding with custard.

dlb

And if anyone wants it this is my version of weetabix cake
2.5 weetabix
8oz raisins/sultanas (any dried fruit)
6oz sugar (brown or white)
1/2 pint milk
1 med egg
7oz SR Flour
1/2 tsp mixed spice or cinnamon

Soak the weetabix sugar fruit and milk in bowl for a few hours or overnight.
Then add the egg flour and spices.
Bake in a 2lb loaf tin on a low heat for about a hour,just keep checking it until middle is cooked.
Allow to cool and cut into slices.
Tastes like a very rich fruit cake and again is great with custard or if you have a few piece left after a few days it is yummy toasted.
This is a weight watchers version of the recipe so is quite healthy too.

sharronloves2spend

I have a hungary lot too. Four kids aged 12,11,7,4, the older three being boys with hollow legs. There is me and hubs, a dog and two cats and we have £240 per month for all of us, with any money left out of budjet for a takeaway. I echoe waht others have said cut out the junk and repalce it with fruit, it's more filling and better for them, by doing this i saved £10 a week of the food bill. I also make sure that they have a three good meals so that when they say 'Mum i'm starving' i reply 'okay have an apple, dinners in an hour' it seems to work for us. i meal plan, and like dlb said make a shopping list from that. We usually have a roast on sunday, leftover meat on a monday (made wraps this week they were yum) tuesday hm pizza and chips, wednesday pasta bake (kids love this, make loads leftover for lunch the following day) thursday spag bol, friday is 'on toast night' they can have anything as long as its on toast!! lol usually scrambled egg or sausages. Saturday we will have chilli and rice(chilli made on thurs when we had spag bol) . We have toast and cereal for breakfasts and lunch would either be leftovers or snadwiches. I will also make scones/banna bread for packed lunches. My older boys get £2.00 per week pocket money so if they want sweets they buy them from that. My mum also buys them sweets once a week. Yesterday my ds1 asked could i take him to home and bargain as he wanted sweets but wasn't prepared to pay the prices at the local sweet shop, saying his £1 sweet budjet would go further there!!lol It was a really proud mummy moment!! hth sharron
just edited to say i shop at aldi for about half of my shopping, then the rest at asda, don't forget your money off coupons, asda take them and you don't need to buy the product they just have to sell it, i printed £6 off the gmtv website this week (found link on these boards) and the tillperson very kindly took them all!

elly2

thanks dib i have all the stuff needed for the hob nobs so will give them a go today dont have enough dried mixed fruit for the cake but do have some dried apricots and dried prunes will these work just as well if i chop them up with the mixed fruit.

dlb

elly2 wrote: »

thanks dib i have all the stuff needed for the hob nobs so will give them a go today dont have enough dried mixed fruit for the cake but do have some dried apricots and dried prunes will these work just as well if i chop them up with the mixed fruit.

Iv not tried acricots and prunes (although i think i will) but cant see why they wouldnt work, iv used cherrys before and thats nice, i think aslong as the dried fruit is 8oz cant see why any dried fruit can be use.
Let us know what you think of the hob-nobs.:D

elly2

First two trays of hob nobs done but i think i may have overcooked them lol seems my oven gets hot quick lesson learnt

DebtphobicDeirdre

Do you have a fan oven? They do not need preheating and need to be turned down about 20 degrees from a normal ovens temp. BTW I looked in Netto today 15 eggs for a pound and in Farmfoods milk is £1.35 for 3L- thats 45p per Litre. forgotten the flour price- but it was cheap,sugar was58p per bag. These cheaper supermarkets are really a boon for hard-up Mums!