Our Romantic "Value" Meal for Two

gunsandbanjos

You can definately get value lager, it was in the papers this week because do-gooders were complaining it was only 22p a can and encourages binge drinking.:rolleyes:

Meanymoo

Sainsbury's Basics red wine is about £2.20 a bottle. We buy it at this time of year, but I have to say it's not great to drink on its own. HOWEVER...the reason we buy it at this time of year is that it's perfect for mulled wine. Chuck a bottle in your slow cooker or large saucepan on a low heat, add (value) orange cut in half and studded with a few cloves, a cinnamon stick , a tablespoon of sugar and a bit of water and drink when hot. The spices are the only things that aren't basics / value, but you may have them in your cupboard already.

I haven't tried the basics white wine, but it may be drinkable with some basics soda or lemonade as a spritzer?

Meanymoo

Forgot the ginger - a little grated fresh ginger or a sprinkling or ground ginger.

Olliebeak

For a very basic bolognese sauce, saute a chopped onion with some crushed garlic, saute a couple of chopped mushrooms, fry off 1/2lb minced beef (drain the excess fat), put all back into the pan, add a tin of tomatoes (chopped value ones of course ), a spoonful of dried mixed herbs (or fresh if you have them) and squeeze of tomato puree (IF you want to - but not necessary). Bring to the boil and then simmer for about 20 mins. While that's cooking you can do the spaghetti after about 10 mins.

For me personally, I don't like the 'rich tomatoeyness' of a proper bolognese sauce - but I can happily eat this version!

My version of chilli is made in exactly the same way but adding a tin of red kidney beans in chilli sauce, some sliced red peppers (or chillies if you like more heat) and some extra chilli powder and paprika (also a tin of mixed bean salad to bulk it out further). The chilli mix usually does the two of us with plenty left over to go on jacket potatoes on another occasion.

Bogof_Babe

Must admit I wouldn't buy value spaghetti again, it was very stodgy and chewy. For the extra 15-20p I would get own brand, rather than spoil the meal.

The rest of it sounds great though - good for you, and congrats on finding that rare thing, a bloke who watches the pennies! :beer:

toria27

Sainsbury's do a really nice value vanilla cheescake and I think it is nicer than their more expensive ones.

larmy16

My big problem at the moment is being angry with the supermarkets for paying ridiculous amounts of money to "celebrities" to advertise them. Meanwhile the customer is paying more and more for their food to cover the costs in addition to the increases due to the terrible summer etc. etc.

I think I will have to use Sainsburys as at least they seem to have stuck to Jamie Oliver and he does at least have some use.

sandy2_2

Meanymoo wrote: »

Sainsbury's Basics red wine is about £2.20 a bottle...the reason we buy it at this time of year is that it's perfect for mulled wine.

This is the recipe I use for mulled wine, here in Spain we can get some really cheap red wine which can be a bit 'rough', but this recipe is fine with it
MULLED WINE

½ pint water
4 oz. Sugar
4 cloves
2 inch stick cinnamon
2 lemons
1 bottle wine
1 orange

Boil water, sugar and spices together. Add the lemons, stir and leave to stand for 10 minutes. Pour back into the saucepan and add red wine. Heat but do not boil. Strain the wine into a bowl and serve hot, decorated with orange and lemon slices. Makes about 1 ½ pints

Another tip I was given about using cheapo red wine is to decant it (several times), pouring from as high as possible to get air into it, then serve at room temperature or slightly higher

jcr16

value larger is quit enice from tesco ( morrisons value larger was a bti like vinegar)

but in our mega skint days we had value larger with vaue lemonade as a treat. and it was really nice. i often still buy it. as i don't drink to get drunk , but i enjoy the taste. if that makes sence.

as for the value spag bol sauce, might be nicer and maybe cheaper to maker your own. i've bought it once and it wasn't very nice.

but a romantic value meal for 2 can certainly be done and after all it about spendning time together., not the amount of money spent on the food. just enjoy your evening together.

menu u got planned does sound yummy tho.

larmy16

Thanks. The Value Meal was more for a bit of a laugh than anything. We certainly are not expecting it to taste gourmet. I must admit though I don't fancy the idea of the jar of bolognese and may have to make it from value veg from scratch.

I was just wondering if anyone had any other ideas of menus made completely from value products??