March 2008 Grocery Challenge

JayneC

Only spent £1.10 on milk today.

Had a look around Netto as I was out of town today but not that impressed TBH. I prefer Aldi! Although I usually shop at Mr Ts as I've become obsessed with collecting clubcard points, lol.
Made more chocolate brownies (cos they're easy - all done in the pan so no sticky fingers, lol) and gave strict instuctions that everyone can have only ONE tomorrow.
DS2 licked out the pan and DD2 told him that was his supper, he was quite happy with that tho, lol.

Got to go collect DD3 from cadets now so TTFN.

Jayne x

Frugaldom

kunekune wrote: »

I'm no expert, really really, but I think what I would do is steal some of the stock to make a sauce: use the stock rather than milk when you start your sauce and then add milk later in the process. Then add the ham and mushrooms. Just a guess, but the stock in the 'white sauce' should make all the difference.

I kinf of thought along the same lines, so will try that. I'm trying to cost out homemade items as I go along, so will see what the difference is between shop bought and homemade. Pies are so cheap to make, though, especially if it's leftovers. I tend to cram the oven full to save wasting any electricity so gotta go squeeze some apple pies in with the bread now. :rotfl:

purplevamp

Well, I haven't spent anything since Saturday but Hubby has managed to waste £9.70 in 2 days... Yesterday he bought 'stuff' in Cafe Nero for £3.50 and then a kebab for another £3.50. It was his night out with the boys but then he came home an still ate the dinner that I had made - because it was there!! Give him is dues he did spend the rest on fruit that we really did need. That said I think I'm still on track this month as we haven't had any takeaways yet and don't plan to. Tomorrow all 5 of us are going to the cinema as I've won tickets to see Spiderwick Chronicles adn I'm sure the kids will need watering and feeding while we're out :rolleyes: . I may take something from home to have while they watch the film.

funkyfunkymonkey

nykmedia wrote: »

We are semolina fiends in this house but had to resort to tapioca last week because I cannot find a shop that sells semolina! It's weird! Even Mr T had none. Mind you, Tesco had no ham stock cubes either, but I could, at least, see where they should have been. Semolina was just completely absent. Have also tried Co-op and Somerfield and there are no other supermarkets nearby. Wonder if Costcutter sells it?

Don't suppose you have a Waitrose near you, but I bought some from there recently to put on top of my hm savoury muffins.

FFM

funkyfunkymonkey

mumzyof2 wrote: »

semelina recipe anyone????

This recipe is on the back of my Semolina packet:

Place 40g of semolina and 25g of sugar into a saucepan, stir in 600ml of whole milk. Bring to the boil, stirring continuously, simmer slowly for 20 minutes. Serves 3.

Sounds simple, I guess I should try it.

FFM

icandream

Hi all - :hello:Well, I feel exhausted but very proud of myself. I've had my first mini batch bake. :T:T:T
I have to admit, it was scary, as I had lentil and chick pea dahl on one hob, and a huge saucepan of bolognaise on another, and some meatballs in the oven, and I was dead worried about how much of this and that to add. But it all went well, and is now in the freezer in lots of separate, portioned containers. So a big thank you to all the encouragement that got me to try doing it. One portion is destined to become lasagna, one chilli, and one shepherd's pie. Yay!

Spending: I spent just £2.32 today on milk, onions, and carrots. So not bad.

Another question: I had some leftover rice from the meatballs that I cooked for the kiddie's tea, and having searched the forum have put it into the freezer. I never knew you could freeze cooked rice! However, I'm now a bit scared about the health risks - I've been making the children a rice salad once a week for their packed lunches. Does anybody else do this - it sounds as if it's a big no no, because of the rice hanging around out of the fridge. Any ideas? Please?

TheBees

Had a NSD today! Pleased with myself because I took a bunch of pre-schoolers to visit a lovely local farm shop and there were loads of lovely goods available and I resisted!:j

TheBees

Icandream - re the rice - I often make cold rice salad for children's lunches using leftover rice and they've not been ill yet!

icandream

TheBees wrote: »

Icandream - re the rice - I often make cold rice salad for children's lunches using leftover rice and they've not been ill yet!

Well, mine haven't either. But the rice threads made me question myself - I never realized rice was such a source of food poisoning! Thanks for the reply. Maybe it's okay if it's been chilled and is just in the lunch box for a morning. I usually ignore warnings about food - I'm forever eating stuff that's past its best before, and I guess I've just been lucky, but I'm always careful when it comes to the kids.

mrssnowy_2

redsquirrel80 wrote: »

As I'm supposed to be on a healthy eating kick I think I should cut down on both of them, and that'll save me a few quid! I've also bought a couple of boxes of crunchy type cereal this month, may try and find a healthier and cheaper alternative to that - I do tend to bulk them out with porridge oats so I might try and go for more oats and less cereal.

:rotfl:

Look for recipes for granola in UK TV FOOD-tasty,add what you like best in the proportions stated.Tastes great.
J