What do you make from scratch?

purpleivy

I watched this video last week and it made me realise that I really do make quite a few things from scratch.  But not all of the ones in the video.  

Care to share how far you go?  Might give me some more ideas. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GoZ77BkLPU

ButterCheese

I've made my own coleslaw which is nice than shop bought, but works out more expensive.  If you make your own mayo then it might be ok.

Curry paste - we are curry lovers so I've started to make curry paste from scratch; blend up garlic and ginger with some oil, add desired spices, probably cheaper than shop bought.

I'm a bit obsessed with the finer points and cost/time balance though.  If you already have the gear (bread maker, blender, whatever) then it can be good to DIY, but if you spend money on the equipment it will sometimes take a lot longer to pay for itself.  Plus there's the costs associated with using an over (probably £1/hour).

But saying that I would definately do more things from scratch if we had the time, but both of us work full0time and kids are hungry when they get back from school so we often are in a rush and juggling getting dinner and other stuff

purpleivy

There may be more but here are some that I do:-

Kombucha
Yogurt
Brown sugar
Mayo (not all that we use, only if our eggs are fresh and we will use within date)
Bread, cake and biscuits. 
General meals from scratch. 

I'd like to try and make water kefir. 

purpleivy

ButterCheese said:

I've made my own coleslaw which is nice than shop bought, but works out more expensive.  If you make your own mayo then it might be ok.

Curry paste - we are curry lovers so I've started to make curry paste from scratch; blend up garlic and ginger with some oil, add desired spices, probably cheaper than shop bought.

I'm a bit obsessed with the finer points and cost/time balance though.  If you already have the gear (bread maker, blender, whatever) then it can be good to DIY, but if you spend money on the equipment it will sometimes take a lot longer to pay for itself.  Plus there's the costs associated with using an over (probably £1/hour).

But saying that I would definately do more things from scratch if we had the time, but both of us work full0time and kids are hungry when they get back from school so we often are in a rush and juggling getting dinner and other stuff

You are doing well to do those things. I like home made coleslaw better than bought but the rest of the family doesn't! 

Making your own mayo is unlikely to be cheaper, but as with all these things it depends on what shop and what ingredients.  I do it because it's nice.  I use decent oil, I think the last time I compared it, it was probably more expensive than Hellmanns, but so much nicer!

I'm interested in trying curry paste.  

The cost time balance? I think quality has to be added in there. You pointed this out that the coleslaw's better.  Our bread is better, I like my kombucha better. The yogurt I have mixed feelings about!

MattMattMattUK

I make nearly all my own bread, cakes and cookies, they are better than shop bought and far cheaper. I have made pastries in the past but I tend to buy the Waitrose frozen ones as the time involved to make croissants especially, but to make pastries from scratch is not worth the effort. Coleslaw I agree with PP, it is more expensive to make it oneself, but it is better than shop bought. I have made butter in the past but I do not think it is worth the effort so I tend to just buy the Isigny Sainte-Mere butter now which is really good.

Meals I almost always make from ingredients, but not necessarily from total scratch, I not make my own curry pastes or powers, my own piri-piri etc. but I do not buy ready meals, I make chips from potatoes not pre-cut etc. I will buy passata rather than making it myself (but do check ingredients), I make pizza dough (and freeze some) and make my own pizzas etc. 

There is a time vs reward element for some bits, a cost element in others, though it is mostly cheaper and almost always results in better quality food. 

purpleivy

@MattMattMattUK if you know someone with a Costco card and you have room in the freezer, their bake at home ones are really good and cheaper than the mainstream supermarket ones.  

I make herb and spice blends. Italian seasoning, taco seasoning, can't remember what else. 

MattMattMattUK

purpleivy said:

@ MattMattMattUK if you know someone with a Costco card and you have room in the freezer, their bake at home ones are really good and cheaper than the mainstream supermarket ones.  

I have a CostCo card for work, but generally not the freezer space, I only have the small 1/3 freezer in my kitchen and no sensible space for an additional freezer in my flat, one of the first things on my list when I buy a house though!

RandomOne

I wouldnt say i make loads from scratch, but i do make

Bread
Bagels
Baguettes
Pitta bread
English muffins
Stir fry suces
Dips (hummus, tzatziki, guacamole, pesto etc)
Gnocchi
Pasta sauces
Pizzas
Granola
Energy Balls
Baked Beans

I have a chronic illness, so that's about my limit. 

purpleivy

@RandomOne Guacamole is a house and friends' favourite.  I don't realise how much stuff I make really.   Pizza made here too, would like to have a go at bagels and a gluten free loaf too.  I have made baked beans in the past. I quite liked them but others not keen.  I have made granola, but nobody eats that here now. I fancy making a grain free one to suit my needs.  

RandomOne

@purpleivy bagels are ridiculously easy to make, just time consuming. But all of my family love them so its worth the effort for me. 

purpleivy

RandomOne said:

@purpleivy bagels are ridiculously easy to make, just time consuming. But all of my family love them so its worth the effort for me. 

I understand they are streets apart from the bought ones.  My DIL loves them so maybe I should give them a go.