March 2008 Grocery Challenge

skintscotslass

jackie_w wrote: »

Well had to go to Lidl today, to buy Dishwasher tablets, so I was £2.99. Will update sig in a mo.

Today when at work, I was talking to one of my collegues, and I was telling her all about my "grocery challenge", and she looked at me like I was daft .
In her household, there is only her, DP and their 2 kids (aged 9 & 4), and she said she spends approx £170 per week on food:eek: :eek: :eek: .

She also cooks from scratch, and said I must be using all the rubbish ingredients to make food, and that there was no way her DP would allow her to scrimp and scrape on food!!!!

The nerve of some people, making out im not feeding my family good, I was flamin raging:mad: :mad: :mad: .
Well at least I know I am feeding my family good wholesome food, and if she wants to waste money then thats up to her. Has anyone else had any sort of reaction like that?

Jackie xx

What on earth is she feeding them? Cheeky b*tch!! Anyone I've spoken to is really envious and want to know how I do it

skintscotslass

gtx wrote: »

hi, i'm new to mse and wondering what i have to do to join this thread (why is it called a thread?) or am i too late for this month

Hi gtx and welcome. No idea why its called a thread. A techy person might be able to explain. Just post what your budget and who (how many) you are feeding.

Bobbykins

jackie_w wrote: »

By the way, has anyone got any ideas when it comes to salads. I love salads, but, im getting a bit bored. Apart from the usual cheese, chicken, all I ever put in salads is cucumber, tomatoes, onion, peppers and carrots. I hate lettuce, so, dont put that in. Is there anything else I could use? Im afraid ive got very little imagination.

Jackie xx

Jackie, how about:-
shredded white cabbage instead of lettuce
grapes
mushrooms
beetroot
celery
apple
walnuts

Also, I find salads much more interesting if they also have something like coleslaw, cous cous, rice etc served with them.

I have a luverly recipe for tabouleh, if you want? (it's just bulgar wheat, cucumber, mint, parsley etc and dressing - YUM, YUM)

jackie_w

skintscotslass wrote: »

What on earth is she feeding them? Cheeky b*tch!! Anyone I've spoken to is really envious and want to know how I do it

Dont get me wrong, she is an absolutely brilliant cook, but, she shops in M&S. Ive told her the things she gets in Asda, Morrisons, etc are just as good as M&S (IMO anyway), but, shes adamant that M&S is the best.

She is very well off and works only to get out of the house (her wages are her own to do with as she pleases lucky thing), so shes a wee bit of a snob. Oh well, each to their own.

Jackie xx

jackie_w

Bobbykins wrote: »

Jackie, how about:-
shredded white cabbage instead of lettuce
grapes
mushrooms
beetroot
celery
apple
walnuts

Also, I find salads much more interesting if they also have something like coleslaw, cous cous, rice etc served with them.

I have a luverly recipe for tabouleh, if you want? (it's just bulgar wheat, cucumber, mint, parsley etc and dressing - YUM, YUM)

Hi Bobbykins,

Never thought of those things in salads before they sound great, will ty them at the weekend.

I wold be ever so grateful if you could post the full recipe for the tabouleh please. Would you be able to freeze it?

Jackie xx

skintscotslass

jackie_w wrote: »

By the way, has anyone got any ideas when it comes to salads. I love salads, but, im getting a bit bored. Apart from the usual cheese, chicken, all I ever put in salads is cucumber, tomatoes, onion, peppers and carrots. I hate lettuce, so, dont put that in. Is there anything else I could use? Im afraid ive got very little imagination.

Jackie xx

Jackie, I get quite bored with salad, but one I tend to have quite a lot is Nigella's Chicken, Almond and Parsley salad

http://uktv.co.uk/food/recipe/aid/516256

I use left over chicken rather than cooking a chicken breast (obviously!!)

Another Nigella favourite:

http://esurientes.blogspot.com/2007/02/too-damn-hot.html

She calls it Jubilee Chicken salad.

Sorry I'm not more creative at this time of night

skintscotslass

jackie_w wrote: »

Dont get me wrong, she is an absolutely brilliant cook, but, she shops in M&S. Ive told her the things she gets in Asda, Morrisons, etc are just as good as M&S (IMO anyway), but, shes adamant that M&S is the best.

She is very well off and works only to get out of the house (her wages are her own to do with as she pleases lucky thing), so shes a wee bit of a snob. Oh well, each to their own.

Jackie xx

Ah! I did wonder how she spends that amount of money on food in a week on 4 people, cooking from scratch. That explains it. Like you say, each to their own. Dont you get a kick out of sticking to budget, or if you go over, still feeling quite pleased with yourself that you're not spending a fortune?

Bobbykins

Hi Jackie, here's the Tabouleh recipe:-

60 - 100 g bulgar wheat
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 fl oz boiling water
1/4 cucumber, diced
2 spring onions, chopped

for the dressing:
1 fl oz olive oil
1 fl oz lemon juice
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
2 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 garlic clove, crushed.


Mix the bulgar wheat and salt. Pour the boiling water on it and leave to stand for 15 - 20 mins until the water has been absorbed.
Mix together the ingredients for the dressing and pour it over the soaked bulgar wheat. Fold it in lightly with a spoon.
Add the chopped cucumber and spring onions.
Serve

Dead easy and really tasty. I hope you get chance to try it out and that you like it.

JayneC

jackie_w wrote: »

Well had to go to Lidl today, to buy Dishwasher tablets, so I was £2.99. Will update sig in a mo.

Today when at work, I was talking to one of my collegues, and I was telling her all about my "grocery challenge", and she looked at me like I was daft .
In her household, there is only her, DP and their 2 kids (aged 9 & 4), and she said she spends approx £170 per week on food:eek: :eek: :eek: .

She also cooks from scratch, and said I must be using all the rubbish ingredients to make food, and that there was no way her DP would allow her to scrimp and scrape on food!!!!

The nerve of some people, making out im not feeding my family good, I was flamin raging:mad: :mad: :mad: .
Well at least I know I am feeding my family good wholesome food, and if she wants to waste money then thats up to her. Has anyone else had any sort of reaction like that?

Jackie xx

I wouldn't worry about it. I have to say my collegues are really supportive. I'm often telling them about my MSE exploits - I get a bit evangelical about it:rotfl:
They say I should have a TV programme :rotfl:

jackie_w

skintscotslass wrote: »

Ah! I did wonder how she spends that amount of money on food in a week on 4 people, cooking from scratch. That explains it. Like you say, each to their own. Dont you get a kick out of sticking to budget, or if you go over, still feeling quite pleased with yourself that you're not spending a fortune?

Yes, I do get a kick out of sticking to a budget. I used to be a really wasteful person, but, not I absolutely hate waste, and will try to use absolutely everything I can. The way I look at things now is that if I can save on food, I can use the money ive saved on other things ie, taking the kids out bowling, or saving to take the kids to a restaurant etc.

Jackie xx