2022 Frugal Living Challenge

YORKSHIRELASS

Hi all

Aubergine and cauliflower curry made for tea with home grown aubergines and some cauliflower that has been kicking around in the freezer for ages.  What can I do about brown rice?  It takes 20 minutes to cook, can I do a double batch and freeze some to save having the pan on the hob on for so long?

Washing dried outside.  Needed to wash my hair so 5 minute shower this morning.  Boiler hasnt been on at all today.  I did take the car to work but needed to go somewhere that I couldnt walk to.  Working from home tomorrow.

Cheery_Daff

I've frozen brown rice before, works really well, so yes, get a few extra portions in the freezer! I left to defrost in the fridge, then either heated in the microwave, or did as egg fried rice.

Jolaaled

YORKSHIRELASS said:

Hi all

Aubergine and cauliflower curry made for tea with home grown aubergines and some cauliflower that has been kicking around in the freezer for ages.  What can I do about brown rice?  It takes 20 minutes to cook, can I do a double batch and freeze some to save having the pan on the hob on for so long?

Washing dried outside.  Needed to wash my hair so 5 minute shower this morning.  Boiler hasnt been on at all today.  I did take the car to work but needed to go somewhere that I couldnt walk to.  Working from home tomorrow.

Soak the rice for a few hours before cooking...less time on the hob!

Jellytotts

I cooked white rice the other day by bringing to the boil, lid on and gas off, 15 mins later, perfect rice. Maybe just boil for a few mins before doing the lid on and gas off? I know brown rice takes longer but not sure how much longer.

London_1

when I make porridge I always make it with water and measure it into the saucepan and lid it overnight ,then it cooks quicker so uses less electric in the morning. We are all doing our bit to save on almost every thing at the moment, it reminds me of when I was a little girl back in the 1940s/50s everything was saved and economised on because of rationing and shortages. lower energy use means a better carbon footprint and hopefully not too high a bill, so its win-win

JackieO xx   

HelenaPinky

Thanks JackieO, I do my porridge with half water half milk so I’ll prep it overnight with the water half. 

Since the talk of the hayboxes, I’ve changed my (not particularly sophisticated) cooking technique and am turning the gas off sooner than I would ordinarily, to let the heat of the pan finish off the cooking. Probably only a couple of minutes early but will save on the gas use. 

JackieO and @g@gill5blue  I’m now saving my leftover boiled water in a thermos. We drink our squash and water warm so it’s saving re-boiling the kettle, thank you for that everyone who suggested it. 

Anyone have any suggestions for a drafty window? I’ve been researching thermal curtains but I’m thinking more along the lines of plugging the gaps…

linz

I boil the kettle for pasta or spaghetti then just leave it in the pan with the lid on til it's done. No gas. 

Broomstick

London_1 said:

I also used the water in the bottom of the steamer tonight in the washing up bowl rather than chuck it down the drain 

Jackie, I've found that the water from the steamer (after steaming veg) makes really good stock for soup etc.  I'm not using the freezer at the moment but when I am and can't use the steamer water immediately, I just freeze it for later.

Floss

HelenaPinky said:

Anyone have any suggestions for a drafty window? I’ve been researching thermal curtains but I’m thinking more along the lines of plugging the gaps…

You could look for some draught excluder tape, to plug the gaps.

MazzieD

cw18 said:

MazzieD said:

Next month it's car Insurance and then November will be car breakdown.

Last year I discovered it was cheaper to have my breakdown in with my car insurance - and in my case it's not only the same level of cover, it's actually with the same company as my insurance company operate the breakdown company !!

I'll get quotes for both but so far it's worked out cheaper to get separate breakdown cover.  Used to take them out at the same time but had problems with a previous car insurance company.