Recipes for really bad times?

Lance_De_Boils

In retrospect, being so broke was a good thing to happen to me.
Not at the time, obviously. But it has changed my mindset for all time.

Staying in is the new going out.
Wednesday night is the new Saturday night.
Old clothes are the new new clothes.
2 for 1 is the new not being able to afford to go.
Iceland frozen veg is the new fresh veg. A quid a bag, good quality too.
British short break is the new holiday abroad.
Showering at the gym is the new paying for a shower at home.
New books from the library are the new, er, books.
Feeding ducks in the park is the new eating duck in restaurants.

I was embarrassed and ashamed at being so sking.
But then I 'fessed up to friends and i wasnt embarrassed anymore.

Friends would invite me round for dinner. Or movies, beer and takeaway.

It was being broke than made me realize how kind people could be.
One Christmas a friend made me a hamper of goodies. Posh jars of this and that. Wine, chocs. Lazy garlic. Lazy ginger. Posh tins.
And the biggest tiger prawns that i ever saw. They were like small lobsters.

I now have three or four meat free days a week. It is good for me, and good for the environment. Without money worries i dont think i would have thought of reducing meat consumption. And i love indian food. Loads of good indian recipes on Youtube.
Bubble and squeak with brown sauce.
You can keep yer cavalo nero and purple sprouting broccoli.

jlhmd666

Familyhistoryresearcher wrote: »

Meat and Potato Pies

Shortcrust Pastry
Boil some diced potato for a couple of minutes'
Cook minced beef and chopped onions in 1/2 pint water with a good splash of brown sauce salt and pepper and a shake of vinegar.
roll pastry to fit small deep pie dishes or 7 inch pie tins
add diced potatoes to the top of dish - season well, sprinkle mince and onions on top sparingly top with more diced potatoes. You should end up with a deep pie approx 2 to 3 inches deep. Season again and add a desert spoon of water then top with pastry. Cook slowly for about an hour. These can be frozen,
1 Kilo of mince, 2 onions and loads of potatoes make about 8 small pies and one 7 inch one depending on size of tin

Thank you for this recipe. I have made up a couple of large pies for tomorrow's tea and a portion will go in the freezer too

babyblooz

What temperature do you cook the pies at please Familyhistoryresearcher? I'd like to have a go at these since I stocked up with minced beef at my last farm shop visit.

jlhmd666

babyblooz wrote: »

What temperature do you cook the pies at please Familyhistoryresearcher? I'd like to have a go at these since I stocked up with minced beef at my last farm shop visit.

I cooked mine on gas mark 5

camNolliesMUMMY

Thank you all!!!!!!It's been a mega busy weekend.
Benn and done a resoable shop at aldi for £31!! for everything we need. then went to the farm and bought another sack of 25kg o red pototes at £4!!!
currently got chicken nuggets in for the kids which they are having with beans, hm chips with bread and butter.
Me and dh are having.............obviously.............jacket spuds with beans and cheese with salad.
Aldis salad are all 29p!!!! so picked up lettuce, toms and a cucumber.
Tomorrow we have left over chicken, Either it will be turned into chicken stir fry? casserole? or jalloff rice (African dish similar to paella but with spice)
I am trying my best not to go on carb overload but its kid of difficult atm as these are the cheaper ways to keep full? I want to loose some of the belly fat i've gained over xmas, so il do my best to fill each meal out with half a plate of veg or salad.


Wednesday- corned beef hash
Thurs spag bol
Fri chicken curry- not sure what tyoe but il dig out a recipe.
Sat chilli con carne- either with a spud or frice?
sun roast chicken


I am starting to right a recipe book for recipes come across and keeping in a binder.


so thank you everyone for all your input!!


x

Lance_De_Boils

Looks like you are doing really well. I like your menu plan and would enjoy all those meals.
Especially Friday night's chicken curry.
You still got all those lentils?
Chicken dhansak is lovely.

Butterfly_Brain

Sorry to hear that things are bad for you at the moment hun xx
Here is the link to the £20 a week thread if you want some ideas.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4148389

dizzytina

camNolliesMUMMY wrote: »

never heard of heron??

I have just been in heron foods for the first time.....I was passing it in my lunch break and needed some eggs....Definitely go if you have one near by..
I just got
2 x camembert for £1, 3 x ready made filo pastry (branded) for 60p. the date is next week but can be frozen. That will make at least 6 large pies I also got some other bits like 500g cheese for £2.

dizzytina

How about tuna pasta bake....I know its carbs but is cheap to make and extra can be frozen. Also quesadillas can be cheap....just tortilla's with whatever you like in them usually cheese, chopped onion etc a bit of chicken if you have any leftover then just fry in no oil for a couple of minutes each side.

happilymarried2013

HI CamNOlliesmum.

I'm glad you're doing so well.Come Friday you'll be half way there.
On Sunday I made a Breakfast Spainish Omelette that cost me about £2 to make.

4 sausages
frozen mushrooms
tomatos
bacon pieces
8 eggs - they were on offer for £1 (free range too - might get some more)

I put the ingredients in the oven minus the eggs for 20 mins, then whisked and added the eggs for another 20 mins. We had 4 servings of that

I'm enjoying the recipes on here - thanks all