March 2008 Grocery Challenge

Moniker

Hi everyone - just popped in to update my signature. I have about £100 to last me till the end of the month (that's two 'big' shop days) which for me is 28th March. We have DD2 and her BFfor Easter but will be visiting my parents for Easter Day, so not too bad. I think I can do it.

We had a nice roast chicken for lunch today and I hope to make two more day's meals out of it, plus I have plenty of veges so will be able to concoct something I am sure.

Have spent most of the afternoon and all of yesterday sorting out the home office which my DH is refitting for me (bless). Have shredded masses of old bills etc and hope that when it's finished I will be able to keep even closer tabs on all my spending! But it's very tiring!

Quick question - is there any alcohol in wine vinegar? I have a great barbeque sauce recipe which I was going to do with lamb on Easter Monday, but DD2's BF doesn't touch alcohol for religious reasons. Should I leave out the wine vinegar (the recipe uses malt vinegar as well)?

Off to do the ironing !

Moniker

funkyfunkymonkey

Hi Moniker

I just googled wine vinegar and it is made from red or white wine. I don't know if it still has alcohol in it once it is made. I'm not sure if he would still be allowed it even if alcohol has been boiled off etc - might be best to check (or just leave it out to be on the safe side).

FFM

mikeD

Moniker wrote: »

Quick question - is there any alcohol in wine vinegar? I have a great barbeque sauce recipe which I was going to do with lamb on Easter Monday, but DD2's BF doesn't touch alcohol for religious reasons. Should I leave out the wine vinegar (the recipe uses malt vinegar as well)?

Moniker

As far as I know Moniker there is alcohol in wine vinegar but it should cook out. If in any doubt leave it out, if you have not made this sauce before you won't know the difference. Adapting recipes is OK, I do it all the time. Hope it turns out all right!

Love the FM

JensterJ

Hello, I wonder if someone on here could answer me a question please? You all seem evry helpful and knowledgeable I have been reading for a while and have just mustered (that the right word!?) the courage to ask my question!

So my question is - if I make puff pastry and shortcrust pastry from scratch can I freeze them after? I would like to make a batch if I can freeze it. Be helpful to me with my little boy who is such a mummys boy! Also can I make pizza base from scratch and freeze that too? What about if I made up the pizza, i.e. the tomato base, cheese and whatever topping - could I freeze that?

Well quite a few questions in the end - sorry about that!

Hope someone can help anyhow.

Thanks in advance.

Jen

carolt2

Good evening all.

Popped into MR T's today to get some milk and lucozade bot items on offer.
i know I wasnt going to go til mon/tues but I'm going to be very busy this week ( close family member is poorly) so i'm sure i'll be going here, there and everywhere.
Fridays dinner got chucked in the bin. Dinner was cooking when we found out that this relative has been taken to hospital. So we both rushed to the hospital and forgot about dinner. OH had remembered to switch the oven off thankfully, cause it went straight out of my head.

When I went to get the milk today I noticed that the Cravendale milk offer was not on the shelf edge label.
When I was there the other week I was sure offer was on til 20 something of March.
I did not have time to ask anyone so i bought 2 anyway and low and behold it came up on the reciept 2 for £2.:D

That should keep us well stocked up until I get time to do a big shop later in the week.

Signature updated

egon

Hi all,

spent another £5.37 in waitrose yesterday. We needed bananas and they where giving away free family swimming passes with the local paper. So had to go and grab one. On the end, the lady was so kind and given us 2 swimming passes, so BIL and family will come up one weekend and we will all have a nice free day at the swimming pool.

DH and I seem to be very competitive, when it comes to making bread. He made the better once to start of with, but now we are more equal.
It now comes down to what we mix in!

Hubby went on a course this afternoon, until Thursday. Sounds like, we are in the same boat Mrs M.

Mrs M - cool that you found the Asian supermarket. Please let us know about your first shopping expirience (sp?) there.

Becky2 - would love to know your muesli recipe too.

angelnikki

JensterJ wrote: »

Hello, I wonder if someone on here could answer me a question please? You all seem evry helpful and knowledgeable I have been reading for a while and have just mustered (that the right word!?) the courage to ask my question!

So my question is - if I make puff pastry and shortcrust pastry from scratch can I freeze them after? I would like to make a batch if I can freeze it. Be helpful to me with my little boy who is such a mummys boy! Also can I make pizza base from scratch and freeze that too? What about if I made up the pizza, i.e. the tomato base, cheese and whatever topping - could I freeze that?

Well quite a few questions in the end - sorry about that!

Hope someone can help anyhow.

Thanks in advance.

Jen

Hi Jen
yes you can freeze pastry, and you can also freeze pizza bases with or without toppings on.
HTH
Nikki
x

kunekune

Butternut squash and soup ...

What I do is this. I chop and peel it (in that order). Chop an onion. Sweat onion in some good oil like canola, then add the squash. Then I put in a couple of big spoonfuls of tom yam paste (thai curry soup paste, lasts well in fridge). Once it's all kind of oiled, I add lots of chicken stock and a can of coconut milk. Simmer until squash cooked, then squish with my stick blender. That's it.

And it is absolutely effing yummy.

JensterJ

angelnikki wrote: »

Hi Jen
yes you can freeze pastry, and you can also freeze pizza bases with or without toppings on.
HTH
Nikki
x

Thanks for your reply Nikki, that's great. Re the pizza I am right in thinking I can simply put in oven and heat up like other frozen pizza? And the pastry do I just defrost at room temp? Sorry to sound daft.

Thanks for your help.

Jen
xx

angelnikki

JensterJ wrote: »

Thanks for your reply Nikki, that's great. Re the pizza I am right in thinking I can simply put in oven and heat up like other frozen pizza? And the pastry do I just defrost at room temp? Sorry to sound daft.

Thanks for your help.

Jen
xx

yes that's right just use the pastry like you would shop bought frozen pastry, ie: defrost before use. The pizzas can be cooked from frozen, just add a couple of minutes extra to the cooking time (depending on the thickness of the base)
Nikki
x