March 2022 Grocery Challenge

Greying_Pilgrim

nannygladys - Jack's Peach & Chickpea curry and her '9p burgers', are definitely my most used out of her recipes.  Although I remember watching Jamie's programme on 'Ministry of Food', I'm not sure I have ever read that book (but I know the one you mean).  But either that book, or his 'Learn to Cook' book had a page of curry spice mixes - Jalfrezi, madras etc, and I have those and make up batches regularly to use (so maybe I did get it out of the library once). 

As we are predominantly vegetarian, I have found over the years a 'magpie' approach to recipe books works best, as most books only have one or two recipes that appeal in some way. And now we have the internet, most of my inspiration comes from there.  And after all, Jamie, Delia and Nigella et al have put most of their stuff online too.  With the exception of recipes that include a long list of ingredients for a spice mix, I now tend to avoid recipes that have a long list of ingredients.

Morning to all challengers.  I'm hoping for a NSD today.  The curried butternut squash soup was OK.  Not 'the best' soup I have ever tasted, but I will keep the recipe, as I would make it again, and it uses ingredients that are readily available.  We had tinned pineapple and greek yoghurt for pud.

Greying X

Suffolk_lass

@Greying_Pilgrim if your library has it, Vegistan by Sally Butcher has lots of middle Eastern Vegetarian recipes. We were given a copy a couple of years ago. I also have a very old book by EP Veraswamy (he of the restaurant and pastes that were bought by Barts a few years ago), that dates back to 1934 (mine is 1954) that gives all the quantities for making his spice pastes

MissRikkiC

nannygladys said:

Greying -  I use Jack's books quite a lot especially the one with that curry that I've done many times. I sometimes read them and think the recipes won't work but they all seem to!! The other book I use a lot especially in summer is Jamie Oliver's  ministry of food which a good starter cook book, I think, but has some recipes in it.

I purchase this JO book for everyone who is starting out with their kitchen journey! I love it so much the ethos of the book is to give it to someone else once you’re done but I’m not sure I’ll ever be done with mine 

Greying_Pilgrim

Suffolk_lass said:

@Greying_Pilgrim if your library has it, Vegistan by Sally Butcher has lots of middle Eastern Vegetarian recipes. We were given a copy a couple of years ago. I also have a very old book by EP Veraswamy (he of the restaurant and pastes that were bought by Barts a few years ago), that dates back to 1934 (mine is 1954) that gives all the quantities for making his spice pastes

Totally agree - Sally Butcher writes good cookbooks.  Her 'Afghan Carrot Hotpot' is virtually a staple in this house! 😊  I do love aromatic spicing, so do actually veer towards North African/Middle Eastern recipes, as they often use spices, but without the accompanying chilli 'hit'.  I think Anissa Helou is another cookery writer who provides wonderful recipes - and have you ever discovered (the late) Arto der Haroutunian?

Lawks - I LOVE talking about food and cooking!  Having said that, I am currently cooking a much more conventional curry (tomorrow night's tea), in the PC (to save energy).  Cooking it today to allow the flavours to develop.  

I had forgotten to mention that in tonight's buddha bowl, I won't be making my normal 'goto' apple & beetroot salad, as we have only 1 apple left in the fruit bowl - and that is for us all to have a few slices at breakfast time tomorrow.  So instead, I'm resurrecting my old 'staple' from the Dean & Deluca cookbook - Pugilese Beetroot Salad.  I don't currently have fresh mint, so will make use of mint sauce.  

Right, Pressure cooker is off the stove and de-pressurising, so I had better vamoose.  Honestly, dunna get me started on nattering about food/recipes, as I cannae stop! 🤣

Greying X

MissRikkiC

Greying_Pilgrim said:

Suffolk_lass said:

@Greying_Pilgrim if your library has it, Vegistan by Sally Butcher has lots of middle Eastern Vegetarian recipes. We were given a copy a couple of years ago. I also have a very old book by EP Veraswamy (he of the restaurant and pastes that were bought by Barts a few years ago), that dates back to 1934 (mine is 1954) that gives all the quantities for making his spice pastes

Totally agree - Sally Butcher writes good cookbooks.  Her 'Afghan Carrot Hotpot' is virtually a staple in this house! 😊  I do love aromatic spicing, so do actually veer towards North African/Middle Eastern recipes, as they often use spices, but without the accompanying chilli 'hit'.  I think Anissa Helou is another cookery writer who provides wonderful recipes - and have you ever discovered (the late) Arto der Haroutunian?

Lawks - I LOVE talking about food and cooking!  Having said that, I am currently cooking a much more conventional curry (tomorrow night's tea), in the PC (to save energy).  Cooking it today to allow the flavours to develop.  

I had forgotten to mention that in tonight's buddha bowl, I won't be making my normal 'goto' apple & beetroot salad, as we have only 1 apple left in the fruit bowl - and that is for us all to have a few slices at breakfast time tomorrow.  So instead, I'm resurrecting my old 'staple' from the Dean & Deluca cookbook - Pugilese Beetroot Salad.  I don't currently have fresh mint, so will make use of mint sauce.  

Right, Pressure cooker is off the stove and de-pressurising, so I had better vamoose.  Honestly, dunna get me started on nattering about food/recipes, as I cannae stop! 🤣

Greying X

Maybe we should start a thread solely in relation to recipes and cooking natter ❤️

pamsdish

Went into town and got a new watch strap for S.I.L. and a battery fitted in my friends watch, I paid for both, will get paid, eventually, but with petrol prices rising, and all I got for myself was a t.v. mag and a new tub for dentures, I need to stop shopping for others at my expense.

Greying_Pilgrim

Buddha bowl for tea.  I used some of the golden peppers (39p jar).  They were lovely - piquant & sweet, perfect contrast to the squeaky salty halloumi...... The l/o mugg and the last of the bag of the frozen green beans were added to the plate with the beetroot salad, brown basmati and the halloumi.  I also managed some 'free' food, as there was some cress carefully transported home from a school experiment.  LG didn't like it, so we used it up 😊



Greying X

Ginmonster

Had to nip to the local corner shop today to get a few bits to tide us over for lunches as my son tested positive for Covid this morning and is going to need lunch providing for a while where he normally had school dinners. Thankfully I tested negative which I'm crossing my fingers will continue as I don't fancy homeschooling while feeling rotten. 
£8.60 spent so I'm at £128.81/£200 now.

nannygladys

MissRickiC - my dd bought the JO book as she wanted to learn how to cook different dishes, and when I flipped through it I was so impressed I had to have it and she bought me one!! Bless her, I can cook but I use the salad section and soups the most, as I don't eat meat but I have substituted with beans/quorn in quite a few recipes.

No spends today, I don't have very much left in my purse for some reason and I'm determined not to spend anymore than I have to, although it's got to last 13 days, I went into the freezer, fridge and cupboards and made a meal plan with what I have in so if I keep to the menu and out of the shops I should be ok - until I have an urge for something like choc 
Nannyg

otb666

501/600 will be going to butchers friday so that will be it for month so expect to come in on 600 surprised we will just make it as thought i would have money spare at the end. Will continue to monitor so we stay in budget..