It's getting tough out there. Feeling the pinch?

YorksLass

joedenise said:

Thanks for that @YorksLass - have to admit I was hoping you had a recipe to make the Jalfrezi sauce as I don't really use jarred sauces!  Definitely think it's a good basic recipe and would probably add some chickpeas to it both to stretch it and to get a bit of extra protein into it.

I usually just make a keema style curry when I use minced beef but this would make a nice change and a different flavour.

I rather thought you might be!      I only ever buy the jars when they're on promotion price - far too expensive otherwise.  Once I've used the couple left in the cupboard I might have a go at making my own.

Longwalker

Home made curry sauce is well worth making.

I have the Hairy Bikers Curry book and its really good. Maybe not totally authentic , more curry house authentic. The Tikka masala is delish and the keema is really quick and easy 

joedenise

If the pastes I've got the recipes for are good I'll make a batch and freeze in portions using an ice cube tray or maybe a mini muffin pan depending on how much is needed each time - I prefer to only need to defrost 1 cube/puck at a time rather than having to defrost several; that way I can see easier how long before I need to make more!

Florenceem

They say we eat with our eyes first so making a meal look good and colourful is important. I had a red onion that badly needed to be used so chopped it up and tossed in last bit of a jar of mint sauce to have with dinner last night.

linz

elsien said:

Broadband and line rental going up by 15% a month. Oh joy. Only just signed a 18 month contract in January. 

Are you with Virgin by any chance? You can leave (or threaten to, get put through to cancellations for a cheaper deal etc) if they up the price while you're in a contract. I'm not sure if the other providers let you but Virgin definitely do.

sarahj1986

Everyone with small children check out your local libraries this week. Ours has captions storytelling and crafts on this week for half term. It’s completely free. 

Florenceem

Our half term holiday was last week.

euronorris

Florenceem said:

Our half term holiday was last week.

Same here. She's back in school today

Spag bol tonight (from last made batch), and doing pancakes tomorrow night (obviously).

I do have some bacon rashers in the feezer, and maple syrup in the cupboard. Has anyone ever had that combo with pancakes? Is it good?

Our broadband is with Virgin and has been for almost 18 months now. We haven't had an inflationary increase during that time. It's mad how all the contracts can vary so much. Contract due to end May though, so I will begin negotiations then (and will likely need to drop speed as we are on one of the highest and got a very cheap deal for it at the time, nothing like that around now).

EssexHebridean

That they are allowed to increase prices on contracts of things so soon after people take out those contracts makes me really cross - there should definitely be a "freeze" for a certain period at the start of a contract IMO, and particularly where the increases are so high. 

Suddenly realised late on Saturday that we should have bought butter when we were shopping, and of course we'd run out. We had to pop into town for something yesterday anyway, but when I checked the T's local store there they wanted 11p a block more for own brand butter than in the normal stores...Trolley suggested that Asd@ only had branded options, then we had a brainwave to check P0undl@nd - Mull3r branded one, standard block size, £2 - so only a penny more than I'd have paid with  my regular shopping. That seemed to be a decent compromise!  Butter has now been added to the shopping list for next week! 

euronorris

Oh, talking of butter. My sainsburys app had an offer on their own brand if you shopped using their scan and go thing. £1.64 a block instead of £1.99, so worth checking your apps