January 2021 Grocery Challenge

PipneyJane

joedenise said:

PipneyJane said:

joedenise said:

@PipneyJane - you asked for the recipe for the butternut squash and aubergine curry.  Have to say we found it too mild so when I reheat the portion I froze I will be adding some garam masala and/or chilli flakes to increase the heat a bit!

Approx 600g prepared butternut squash
1 or 2 aubergine, chopped
400g tin chopped tomatoes
2-3 garlic cloves crushed (to your taste)
onion, chopped
tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground coriander 
Fresh coriander to serve

Fry off the onions to soften, then add the crushed garlic and fry for a further minute of so.  Sprinkle the spices over and cook off to take off the rawness.  Add tinned tomatoes, squash and aubergine and cook until squash and aubergine are soft.

I served with rice but could equally serve with naan bread.

But as I said at the beginning there just isn't enough spice to my mind to actually call this a curry!

Thanks @joedenise.  I am surprised that there was no chilli in it.  The cumin and coriander make me think that it's a Middle-Eastern dish, from somewhere in the Arab world.  Even then, most of those places would add chilli.

- Pip

I think you're probably right.  But if it is a tagine I still think it would have had more spice to it!  My tangines and curries usually use more spice!  When I make a tagine usually I also add preserved lemons and semi dried apricots - this isn't a recipe I'll be using again if I'm honest!  Still until you've tried a new recipe you don't really know.

For some reason, @joedenise, this recipe reminds me of my friend’s mother - even standard curry powder is too hot for her! She makes something called “Cheese curry”.  No, this doesn’t involve Paneer.  To quote my friend “This is boiled rice with sultanas, celery, apple, onion and a lot of cheddar cheese...she also sprinkles in the smallest amount of curry powder the human brain is capable of imagining”.   (I had to be careful adding chorizo to something, when I cooked dinner for my friend’s parents years ago.)  


I have three spends to declare from the last week.  On Saturday, we walked to L!dl to buy  fresh veg and eggs.  We also came away with two spicy chorizos (£1.39 each), some puff pastry (we hadn’t found any for weeks), and one of those Boddum tea pots with the inbuilt tea strainers (£9.99 but from a separate budget).  I’ve wanted one of those for years.  £13.22 spent from the GC Budget.

Monday evening, DH went to MrT’s to buy those things we can’t get in L!dl:  the big tubs of Yeo Valley yoghurt (4x£1.30), bulgar wheat (3x500g at £1.15 each), a big bag of split red lentils (2kg for £3), squash, etc.  He spent £22.50.

And, finally, yesterday morning.  DH took his car to the local garage for treatment of a fault and walked back via L!dl, arriving there before 9am.  The shop was deserted and well-stocked.  He’d been hoping to get one of the £1.50 veg boxes but they didn’t have any.  According to the lady on the checkout, they hadn’t had any for 2 days and there was no day in the week when you’d have a better/worse chance of getting one.  DH spent £0.69 on a bag of beansprouts to go in the stir fry we’d planned for dinner.

All the above brings our total spend to £82.05/£140, leaving £57.95 for the remainder of the month.

Meal planning-wise, dinner tonight and tomorrow will be a Hoisin Chicken Tray Bake which I’ll beef up with extra rice, a lot more peanut butter, added peas and sweetcorn. I’ll cook it tonight and we’ll zap the leftovers for tomorrow.  I may swap bulgar wheat for the rice (more fibre, lower glycemic index, and cooks in the same time/manner as basmati rice).  Lunches will be sandwiches on black bread made with humus, some leftover roast beef and thinly sliced peppers (for crunch).

- Pip

Rowan9

georgiesmummy said:

We have had a fair few NSD's as into New Year and since we have been shielding as i tested positive for Covid
I did an online shop for £161.81 which arrived on the 3rd, and did top up for Milk and Bread at £3.08 on the10th. Ive also got another shop coming tomorrow, which is coming in at £94.55.


Total spends so far £259.44 but will no doubt be spending again before the month is over

How are you feeling? Hope you’re recovering well 

Suffolk_lass

There seem to be quite a few items missing at the moment. I was wondering if the heavy snow they have had in Spain is impacting on the fruit and veg they can deliver, and as for the Greek-Style yogurt - none!

pamsdish

Suffolk_lass said:

There seem to be quite a few items missing at the moment. I was wondering if the heavy snow they have had in Spain is impacting on the fruit and veg they can deliver, and as for the Greek-Style yogurt - none!

Lots of everything in my A1d1 yesterday, did think aubergines looked tatty, and now I recall only 2 packs of sweaty looking courgettes, but it was only just after 9 and staff stocking shelves frantically, don`t get me started on their new "click and collect", they seem to think they have the run of the shop, double parking trolleys while chatting, and another poor sod trying to fill up from their overladen truck.

bett_rhy

Hi all😊
spend of £56 hopefully get us close to the end of the month 😂
£97/£160
X-x-X

Smiley87

Big spend this weekend to take advantage of a baby event. Stocked up on packs of wipes and jumbo packs of nappies (maybe a few treats for DD seems as she’s being so good with DS), all of which I include on the grocery budget. Came to £68.26. 

£200.66/£300 spent - definitely achievable considering what we have in. It’ll just take a bit of planning 

elsiepac

Budgets updated to here

I made my favourite very simple and wholesome bean casserole yesterday - it's from a very old vegetarian student cookbook but for some reason I just love it!
Garlic, onion, celery - saute off
Add 6-8 tomatoes chopped into chunks, a big squeeze of tomato puree, 1 or 2 stock cubes, and 2 tins drained cannellini beans plus 1-2 tins worth of water.  Boil for 15 minutes and use a big spoon to break down some of the beans to help it thicken up a little, totally optional! Honestly so much more than the sum of it's parts!
I actually made it yesterday in my new pressure cooker - did I mention that here yet? £49 in Mr T for the Pressure K1ng Pro! Unbelievable!

Florenceem

No spending here today.

BelleBaluu

Just been to L1dl for the weeks shop, £60 but with £2 off with the online app, so £58. Brings my total so far for two weeks to £169.07/£360 so pretty much on track. The thing with kids being off school is they almost need a constant supply of food! But I’m pleased I’m managing to stay in budget, even with this 🙂

Florenceem

Low cost food - Rex pie made with ys mince + ss potatoes + baked beans bought when on offer. Made a traybake - 18 little cakes.