From Frugal Foundations to Fortified Family Future

FrugalHedonist

@Greying_Pilgrim Do you think Haricot beans would work in veggie sausages? I have a big bag of dried beans that I picked up from the community grocery. Im a bit of a newbie with dried beans and apart from Lentils and Chickpeas I find them a bit daunting, which is probably a bit daft really 

Greying_Pilgrim

FrugalHedonist - you're asking for cookery tips from someone that didn't think to use Cheddar cheese in Glamorgan sausages?????  Are you..... sure..... I'm the best person to ask??🤣🤣🤣 My gut reaction would be to say that haricot would be fine.  From experience, what is more important is that your bean base is not too 'wet'.  I always find that tinned red kidney beans for example, are very wet and therefore, when you mash them, they are quite mushy and are apt to break when formed into a burger/sausage.  Naturally, that doesn't affect the taste, and for the home cook is usually not relevant in terms of presentation - but it can make them a bit difficult to turn/move about in the pan.  

Greying X

dizzydonkey2

Research seems to indicate that Glamorgan cheese is no longer made as there as so few of that cattle breed left. Caerphilly  is the closest to it. Hope this helps

Greying_Pilgrim

dizzydonkey2 said:

Research seems to indicate that Glamorgan cheese is no longer made as there as so few of that cattle breed left. Caerphilly  is the closest to it. Hope this helps

dizzy!  How are you?  Actually the Glamorgan Sausage recipe that I have stipulates Caerphilly cheese, and it is actually that that I have been having difficulty getting.   You used to be able to get it "easily", but I haven't seen it for yonks - although I would be the first to say that when I did buy it, I shopped in MrT much more regularly than I do now.  Still doesn't excuse my "taking everything far to literally and not thinking to use cheddar in my Glamorgan bangers" 🤣  Lawks!  Is there any hope? 🤔🤣🤣

I've been out to get milk.  Picked up some Ma1d0n salt, a couple of tins of chopped tommies and a couple of YS'd nets of lemons (39p from £1.50).  £5.43 to add to the grocery budget.

Greying X

themadvix

I think I probably meant I couldn't get Caerphilly in Mr T's when I was looking for it for the sausages... 

Good info on the Veggiestan book - I was given it as a present (by a well-meaning Mr MV). I'll have to re-investigate - I'm a more confident cook now too, so happier to sub items in as suits me!

rtandon27

GP - I was going to suggest cheap mature or extra mature cheddar in place of either of the welsh delicacies - but it seems our lovely posse have already descended & reminded you! 

For leeks - have you thought of 0li0?  In our area there are always gluts of onions/carrots/potatoes/leeks - all the basics - every few weeks - My OH adores leeks & I often send him on a run round to our lovely neighbour to make avail of the bounty. We've also found them incredibly cheap - yellow stickered at Waitflower - it's become our Friday evening 'date' - scouring the deals at the posh store and then having a day or two of dinners we would not normally consider having!

redofromstart

I used to make the sausages with nice (cheap!) crumbly Lancashire.  Leeks are in the current MrT offers and I got five lovely thin ones in the pack rather than the two great tough monsters they send if I order them on the delivery.  

Greying_Pilgrim

Ay up RT!  I think I am right in saying that there is no 0li0 operation in Greying Town. There certainly wasn't, and I suspect that this in part may be down to the sterling work of the group that form part of the umbrella group that deliver foodbank provision, and the food waste diversion schemes.  Certainly from the point of view of 'trade' food waste, I think they have it covered - they have a comprehensive network and a team of engaged volunteers.  As I say, I have benefited from this waste food in the past, its just it's a pretty popular initiative now - and a little too 'hit and miss' to spend time and resources travelling to.  I would certainly give the recipe another go when I next come across some reasonably priced leeks.    

Greying X

edinburgher

Greying,

Can you suggest a frugal vegetarian dish to expand my repertoire, something in the curry area?

I've made a lentil dhal and a chana masala over the last couple of weeks. Preferably something sans cheese, or without obvious vegetables for fussy kids 

FrugalHedonist

Greying_Pilgrim said:

FrugalHedonist - you're asking for cookery tips from someone that didn't think to use Cheddar cheese in Glamorgan sausages?????  Are you..... sure..... I'm the best person to ask??🤣🤣🤣 My gut reaction would be to say that haricot would be fine.  From experience, what is more important is that your bean base is not too 'wet'.  I always find that tinned red kidney beans for example, are very wet and therefore, when you mash them, they are quite mushy and are apt to break when formed into a burger/sausage.  Naturally, that doesn't affect the taste, and for the home cook is usually not relevant in terms of presentation - but it can make them a bit difficult to turn/move about in the pan.  

Greying X

Ah I think after seeing many of your lovely creations, you are exactly the person to ask

That makes alot of sense re the wet ingredients as the mushroom for the Veg balls did make a very wet mixture and the lack of texture was very off putting