March 2008 Grocery Challenge

BigMummaF

I too had a baking day yesterday...must be the weather making us feel we need to fill up our own boilers:D So while the £3 lamb joint was roasting away, I made:-

• fruit cake
• flapjacks..cuz I copied Twink's hobnobs recipe down wrong so thanks Louise;)
• cheese straws
• cornflake & treacle tart for pud tonight
• jam sponge pud for yesterday
• the packet mix of Hovis Granary bread, 75p in MrT with the added marg & very mmm:p

What's more, I mixed & made by hand as I just couldn't be bothered to get the mixer out so no electricity either:T But it does mean that I need to restock my cupboards but I think that's a pleasant reason & a whole lot more satisfying than filling up with dross.

I asked a while back about using Self Raising as opposed to Plain flour--thank you for your responses--but it was more about taste & texture. I made the steamed pud with SR & it came out a million times better than the ones I've made with P+bake powder---somehow we can always taste the 'powder'.....anyone else find that happens?

NB..I use at least 3/4 less sugar than the recipe says, & don't add salt to any of my cooking either, so it doesn't mean earth-shattering changes to increase the healthy aspect of your meals.

A plea for recipes going out to FindingMyFeet for the fruit loaf---I've tried to make malt loaf before but just got a bitter sticky mess:o---& to WeeMissy for the ham & cheese muffins. I have awful trouble finding 'something different' for the offsprings lunch boxes, & these sound ideal.

I've got a 'meatloaf' conncoction out of the freezer for tonight's dinner...part of me is hoping they won't like it too much cuz I can't remember what I put in it:rotfl:

Mrs._Irwin

Well, we've been keeping our spending diaries since the 29th, and in addition to the £76.50 we spent at Asda, have spent a grand total of £56.11!
This does include some small trips to Sainsbury's, Tesco's and Aldis for bits and pieces, but a lot has been from popping to the corner shop.

So that leaves £117.39 for the rest of the month. :eek:

Mrs. Irwin
xx

icandream

Sorry not to have checked in. We're pretty much on target, but cannot get the hang of NS days! Seem to spend a little each day. But we are doing okay. And this thread has definitely helped me on this track.
But, could I have some help, please.
I have 750 g of mince, just defrosting.
I haven't batch cooked before.
What should I do with it? I've got carrots, onions, celery, tins of toms, tom puree. I wanted to make some into meatballs as we all love those. But not sure what to do with the rest, and how to portion it out for a family of 5 so I stretch it. I can do this with small amounts, but 750 g seems a bit big to me.
I've also got half a jar of olive and tomato pasta topping in the fridge which is just about to go off. The kids didn't like it. Can I use it and disguise it a bit. I've also got half a tub of creme fraiche, which needs using up.
Can anyone help?

RedSpecs

Hi guys! We're doing so well :T Have spent less than £50 of the £200 budget set, but we've been doing a lot of store-cupboard raiding, and just buying some meat to go with a sauce, or stocking up on pasta or rice. Still have some stock left in the freezer from the fr chicken we had 2 weeks ago, and used a bit of that in a risotto on Sunday - with bottled artichokes (where did THEY come from?!?!) :eek: but actually was surprisingly nice.

Have learned how to make bread by hand instead of using the BM - revolutionary! Dont need to use butter or sugar in the mix so not only better for you but better for the environment for not using electricity.

Have to try to bake another loaf tonight, fitting it around a dance class (it'll be proving whilst I'm out). It'll be tight but sure I can manage it!

Strange thing has happened to me over this. The buzz I used to get for spending money has been replaced by a buzz for NOT spending money! Every time I think I need something, I think of how I can obtain it for free or make it from what I already have. Then when I achieve that, then comes the buzz! :A Guess I'm just a junkie at the end of the day but its what's feeding my cravings!!

mumzyof2

Thanks brillaint weezl...thanks very much
does your shopping list vary or change month by month? or do you eat the same foods every month? what about crisps and choc? fizzy pop? juice?

meanmarie

Spent €12.23 this morning, bringing my total spend to €197.59, leaving me with€152.41 for the rest of the month.... will need potatoes to-morrow, so that will be another €7...have meat and fish which should be nearly enough.

Marie

chewy62

I've had 3 NS days due to my wee boy being unwell, but had to go and stock up on fruit etc. today so have spent £20 roughly on ham, cheese, loo roll etc, but if I had gone to mr T I know I would have spent £40 at least!
Have worked out how to make new big double fridge look as if it is full by arranging the food wisely, not buying stuff just to fill it!Cheerio!:j

JoJoB

£21 in aldi today, hopefully will keep me going a few days till i get the cakey pangs again.

findingmyfeet

hello all,

BigMammaf - economy friut cake recipe as follows - i found it on feb challenge so hope monika doesnt mind me repeating it.

8oz SR flour
1 level tsp mixed spice
1 level tsp cinnamon
4oz butter/marg
4oz caster sugar
8oz mixed dried fruit
1 large egg
1/4 pint milk

sieve flour and spices together, rub in fat to make breadcrumbs and stir in the sugar and fruit. Make a well in centre and add beaten egg and milk. stir to a dropping consistency. place in a greased 2lb loaf tin and level. bake for approx 1 hour to 1 hour 15 at gas mark 4 or 180c in centre of oven. cover top for last 15 min if looking too brown. freezes well.

mine was slightly crumbly but i forgot about it in the oven , had longer than it needed but really very nice. i used all tesco value products so it was well cheap.
hope you enjoy it we did.

ubamother

have been keeping a spending diary since 1st march for my challenge this month - so far spent £83.22. I've included everything that's been purchased that's edible - or for household use, like loo roll. Do 'groceries' include things like a takeaway fish supper, or a lunchtime drink in the pub? I've included them on the basis that they're edible, but are they really groceries? I'd love your thoughts on this.