From Frugal Foundations to Fortified Family Future

redofromstart

I used to use campbells condensed soups as bases for various things - looks like you can still get them but I hadn't seen them for years.

rtandon27

The C@mpbe11s  brand only do three condensed ones here in the UK - Cream of mushroom - chicken - tomato.  They were off the shelves for about a year at the end of pandemic, but can now be found at MrS. MrW & MrT.  No longer available (at a reasonable cost) are the packs of six I used to purchase from the big river site! 

I've got one each of mush & chick variety in my stores as some of my favorite comfort foods involve using a can as a sauce!  Like many things, they have suffered from shrinkflation - a smaller tin at double the cost!  Next time I make it across the pond to visit relatives, a few of the other varieties will be packed into the returning suitcase!

Greying_Pilgrim

Thanks for the condensed soup info.  Naturally in the US the martofwall shop has it's own dupe of condensed soups and these are often used in the blogs on frugal food.  But I figured "at best" we would probably only have something like the 'C's soups.  Naturally you can make your own soups or sauces, but I just wondered if I wanted to make a recipe 'as is', whether i in fact could in the UK.

So we've all eaten the stew........  LG liked it (so that's a plus).  DH has been aggravating his gum today with anything and everything he has eaten, so he was rather more focused on pain 🙄 but said it was 'ok'.  I thought it was OK, but I'm not sure it's the best way to cook that combo.  It was on low for 6hrs and yet the veg was still 'toothsome'.  There is some leftover, so I will be able to try out the 'better a day later theory'.  I think what i did learn was that it is possible to cook qu0rn mince in a SC.  If you're interested in the original recipe that was made with beef mince, then the Poor Man's stew in the Slow cooker recipe can be found HERE

I served the stew with green beans.  

LG is out at club but will be home shortly.

Today's plumber has got back to me and an appointment has been booked.  They are certified for gas and seem to be able to organise themselves and do what they say they will, so fingers crossed that we've found what we need.

The washing came in - the stuff I'd done second was more or less dry - just slightly damp (but not obviously wet) in parts.  That got re-pegged when I brought the towels in, so it got the breeze, but not much sun, so it did pretty well.  I've popped it on the airers, I wouldn't have thought it will clog up the room with condensation, so I've not put the dehu on.  

Today I'm grateful for  sunshine, securing a service and stew - that was edible.  Happy with my lot.

Greying X

themadvix

Fingers crossed that your plumber is as good as he sounds. 🤞🏻

 Washing sounds similar to mine - some tetris to ensure it got most of the sun and more on the heated airer which will go on overnight. Definitely not bad for mid-October!

rtandon27

Hooray! Glad to hear you found a responsive plumber!

That stew sounds lovely GP, I'll have to have a rummage through the freezer and see what 'mince of choice' is lurking! I'm pretty sure that there won't be a pound though, as we divvy up the packs we get on sale into 250g portions - so will have to cut the recipe in half which actually will be perfect for our small two person slow-cooker!  

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Afternoon MFW'rs

Big wash put on this morning and pegged out.  We've sun and a good breeze, although the sun has pretty much gone over the roofline now.  But fingers crossed most stuff is on its way to being dry.

I took myself out for a walk to make the most of the sunshine and to shift a bit of a funk.  I walked about 3.6 miles apparently (all urban walking, but some inclines), and saw the van of the plumber who I got an appt with yesterday, so that was serendipitous.  Didn't spot any apples or anything 'free please take' so no crumble for tea. 

I feel better for having got out and about.  Sometimes you read things and you recognise elements of things that have happened in your family or whatever, and whilst it's comforting to know that (unfortunately), others have to go through these things too - it's not just your family who are weird, distant, grabbing or whatever - sometimes it gets a little bit overwhelming and whilst you know you can't do anything about other people's actions (within your family, or your road or friendship circle etc), it doesn't mean to say that it doesn't have an impact on your cheeriness or well-being.  

Anyhoo, a 'one foot in front of the other' and 'don't think about nuffink' type walk was just the job to clear away a few dusty thoughts and feelings.

I've eaten the l/o stew from last night.  It didn't massively improve flavourwise, but I think the main issue was that the veg was still 'toothsome'.  I know entirely what 🐞means about melding vegetable flavours, and have made stews that do that before.  But the carrots and potatoes just hadn't 'let go' enough for that to happen.  I'm still glad I tried it out, as it was a worthwhile exercise and we got tea out of it, so.......

Tea tonight is likely to be pizza and oven chips.  I've not made pizza in quite a while.  Hopefully DH will be able to eat it 🤔

Right, I can't think of anything else MSE relevant at the mo, so I shall shuffle orf.  

Greying X

redofromstart

I was in H&B this morning, and they do have the branded condensed soups at 79p per tin.

Random walks are helping me to clear my head too.

themadvix

Agree that a walk is a good thing for clearing the head. And also that sometimes hearing too much about the misery in others' lives isn't helpful - I've been there and it can have detrimental impacts. Glad you managed a nice walk though and 3.6 miles is a good distance (for a town walk).

Greying_Pilgrim

Thanks redo - I shall have a look-out when next in hB, as I thought they wouldn't stock them, so ta for letting me know.  

tmv - yes, you're right.  I think there were just several 'similarities' with a situation in the not too distant past, and it was just a bit stirring is all.  I think the stomp did the trick though - as even i realise that you can't go back and change the past.  What happened happened.  

I've brought the washing in.  The weather is definitely changing.  It's still dry and blowy, but the temperature has changed, so going forward the washing would be less likely to dry any further.  I'm pretty pleased with how it's turned out.  Not bone dry, but dry-ish for an autumn day 😁 I'll take that 😁

Greying X

rtandon27

Greying_Pilgrim said:

...Tea tonight is likely to be pizza and oven chips...

Friday night & all is right with the world xxx

redofromstart said:

...in H&B this morning, and they do have the branded condensed soups at 79p per tin...

oooo - thanks for the tip Redo! - I was in an H&B earlier but would not even have thought of checking for these!