March 2008 Grocery Challenge

saver03

Well my "month" ends tomorrow when we both get paid and we only went a bit over and as it was my 1st time I am not too bothered. As long as we can reduce it next month then we are doing well.

Moniker

Hi,jackie_w - just wanted to say that I make fishcakes like this too - but I usually cook the fish in the microwave as it's quicker. Also you can freeze the uncooked fish cakes - open freeze first then wrap greaseproof paper/baking parchment in between and put in bags. You can cook from frozen too but be carefull to make sure they are heated right through.

Another variation is to use tinned fish like salmon - but only if you have bought them 'whoopsied' of course!

We love hm fishcakes with salad and coleslaw - nom nom as Mrs M would say!

Moniker

millionaire_in_training

Failed miserably yet again. . I'll just keep trying.

curly_cabbage

Thanks Jackie_w for the fish cake recipe, think i'll do a batch of them for the frezzer as DS2 loves them.
Well my month ends tomorrow and i'm over buget but, we're away for 17 days in April so that might help with staying with-in buget.

CC

carolt2

Moniker wrote: »

I am addicted at the moment to my steamer - I bought a 3 tier stainless steel one in the January sale at Woolies for £9 (half price!) and I love it. I usually do potatoes in the bottom and three or four other veg in the two other tiers - they taste great this way and i save electricity by only using one ring of the hob.

I have had a stainless steel steamer for a few years now and they are great. I use the liquid in the bottom of the steamer to make stock/gravy.

dinx1972

Chimp choker you were just the kick up the perverbial that I needed. I cook from scratch, for me, DH and 2xDS one of which has a lactose intolerance. I do batch cook when I remember. Have rifled throught the kitchen and found I have enough food for this;

Friday fish for DH and me, fish fingers for DS2, DS1 at party
Saturday ham, egg, chips? and beans
Sunday Roast chicken (need to buy this, will put half in gravy for next week, and make a chicken pie with leg/wing meat)
Monday sausage casserole/toad in the hole mash and veg
Tuesday salmon (whoopsied) and jacket spuds for me and DH, homemade pizza for kids
Wednesday chilli and rice (from this weeks batch cook)
Thursday chicken pie from left over roast (will make on Sunday)
Friday shepherds pie for kids(in freezer), steak for DH, salmon for me.
Saturday recipe using mince pork (probably pork and apricot meatballs?)
Sunday Frozen chicken from above
Monday homemade quiche potatos and veg
Tuesday mince in gravy mash and veg (have a 1kg lot in freezer whoopsied, so will use 1/3 for hamburgersand freeze, 1/3 for tonight and 1/3 for a lasagne.
Wedneday hopefully home made curry from left over roast will make up and freeze
Thursday lasagne from tuesday cook.

So after spending £130 last week, I think my bill for the next fortnight might be slightly lower:rotfl: . Anyway wish me luck. I am going to make more of an effort to post daily during April in a bid to shaming myself into sticking to my budget.

Frugaldom

I ran out of milk again! Another £1.99 closer to wiping out my GC budget but still hanging on in there. Sad, really, because I'm starting to look forward to my monthly trip to Mr T's and that's still a week away! See what you have all done to me? Mr T has become my idol! :rotfl:

egon

helliecopter wrote: »

Am looking forward to any tips you can share and do you have a recipe for 'bratty tatties?' Dh loves them and it i'd love to be able to make them for him

"Bratkartoffeln" - 'bratty-tatties', it took me a moment , to realise what you meant.:o

Ok, this is how we do it:

Potatoes(Usually use up leftovers from the day before.). Cut them into thick slices.
Bacon (schinken) - cut it into cubes or stripes,
Eggs - at least one per person

Put a little oil into a frying pan. Add the bacon and fry until slightly browned. Add the potato slices and fry on a medium to low heat until they brown too. Stir occasionally. But be carefull, as you don't wont them to brake up too much. Whisk the eggs together and add to the pan. Season with pepper and salt. Cook until eggs are done, stiring occasionally again. Serve

HTH and makes sense.

Egon

egon

MRSMCAWBER wrote: »

Hi lainz...

The bread sticks are :-

• 150ml warm water
• 1/2tsp dried yeast - i use 7g of fresh
• pinch of sugar
• 225g plain flour
• 1tsp salt
• 2 tsp caraway seeds

Just dissolve the yeast n sugar in the water and throw into the dry ingredients ...nice n simple :T ... knead for a couple of mins -then divide the dough into 20.. usually about 20g each...
roll into long sausages -about 12" and place on a greased baking sheet -i use a non stick liner .. and wang in the oven at 220c/425f/gas7 for 10-12 mins
When you are rolling them out you do need some flour but try not to use to much as they just slide about :rotfl:
When mine are cooled i keep the wrapped up in a clean tea towel so they stay crispy..a bit like grissinis ...only nicer...
I have done them with poppy seeds too, and today i have done the caraway ones and 1 lot without the caraway seeds and with 10g parmesan and 1 tsp of mustard seeds - they are rather nice -had to quality test them
Hubby munches them all week -much better than the salted peanuts he used to demolish and lovely with tzatziki and dips mmmmmmm

Savingfortravel .. I'm putting the totals on the 1st page along side the budgets ......

Thanks for that recipe. Will try it tomorrow. Sounds nom nom nom :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

So, what is that word on your new kitchen scale?

Also, are you looking forward to your visit to the asian supermarket?!? :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

purplevamp

I did it :j . Just bought a few more things for the rest of the month (didn't need to but, hey!) I have spent £298.39 and have the grand total of £1.61 left .

MrsM can you put me down for £300 again in April (I think I've said that already but just incase) also my total for March is £298.39

Well done everyone who managed to stay in budget, and for those who didn't - don't worry, there's always next month