Old Style vs the USDA head-to-head challenge...

weezl74

Hiya shaz,

If you used 12oz jars then as you suggested, that would be 34p a jar, and you'd make 9 and a third jars. Another possible cost cutter might be to crystallise the ginger yourself, asda fresh ginger is 23p per 100g, so that might reduce your end cost slightly. But I still think that's a tidy little cottage industry you could have yourself there!

We use recycled jars (just for gifts, haven't sold any yet), what do you use shaz?

The only thing I've sold is my HM wholemeal bread (to my mum and dad!) they were paying £1.15 a loaf, and I did them a batch of 4 (organic!) for 60p a loaf. They feel it's a bargain, and it's meant a great saving for me.:T

My mum also feels like home-made is healthier, so she's happy.:D

weezl74

p.s Shaz I think it was you who was asking about squash/fizzy drinks. When I'd done a big batch of marmalade and ladled it all out I put boiling water back in the pan, and the ladle, and anything else with some orangey syrup on it back into the pan and stirred til the sides were all clean.

The resulting liquid was a nice orange squash which my neice really enjoyed. Just a thought

purpleivy

I get the bags of ginger at Julian graves when they are on offer, I suspect you'd use more £ in the ingredients doing it yourself, also the time and hassle element, there must be things you could do with your time that are more MS

ceridwen

www.rebeccablood.net/thriftyo/archive/index.html

weezl74

Great blog ceridwen, it's like a combination of you and me, but American (interesting thought!!)

Can't believe she's managing it organically. But I guess her budget is bigger than mine.

Having some struggles about entertaining. So far during the challenge we've fed as many people who've fed us (so I figure it all evens out) and I think we've managed it pretty well.

But a friend is coming this weekend, who's presenting me with a connundrum. She doesn't like (a quote from her email):

'Foods that I'm not keen on 'ey? Hmm? Fish, mushrooms, baked beans, kidney beans... well most beans (except green and runner) kidney, liver... I doubt this list is exhaustive, but I should be able to cope with anything else. It's alot shorter than it used to be.'

Now anyone who's been noting closely the things me and Mr Weezl have been consuming will realise that this eradicates most of what we eat in a little paragraph.:eek:

She's here for 2 lunches, 2 evening meals and 2 breakfasts.

If I give her sausage sandwiches on both the lunches, pasta pesto for one evening meal and toast and marmalade for brekkie, I should be ok, but the other evening meal has me stumped.

I'm really loathe to cut into the remaining budget as there's precious little left!:D

Then there's the following weekend...

Mr Weezl wants his folks to come over for a meal. His mum does not like curry, or lentils. Again, trickiness! I may see if Mr W thinks sausages and mash with gravy and mushy peas is acceptable! :eek: I'm not sure he will.

Gulp.

Anyone got any helpful hints?!

Weezl x

purpleivy

I like the sound of saus, mash and peas. If Mrs Weezl Sr doesn't fancy that, can I come please?
Could you do some sort of risotto, not mushroom obviously. Do you have any sundried toms or anything like that? What do you have stashed?

weezl74

:rotfl:purpleivy you are very welcome to come over :coffee::coffee:look, I put the kettle on!

Now risotto.... Very good thinking m'dear. Ok I've half a bag of broad beans, some lemon juice, loads of herbs in the garden... Maybe with some milk powder and a drizzle of oil to enrich it (won't be able to run to cheese alas!) garlic...

Does that sound like it could be a risotto?

The other thing is, I've got some savory pastry frozen and some mince and onions, I'm tempted to bake a pie and also secrete nettles (I shall say spinach perhaps ) in there, also with mash.

Good to have different options to let Mr Weezl pick from. It's important to him that they don't experience us as stingy.

p.s also have 3 cans baked beans 2 packets bread sauce, packet of stuffing, red and green lentils, but not sure anyof these could be a goer without buying meat!

shaz_mum_of__2

weezl74 wrote: »

Hiya shaz,

If you used 12oz jars then as you suggested, that would be 34p a jar, and you'd make 9 and a third jars. Another possible cost cutter might be to crystallise the ginger yourself, asda fresh ginger is 23p per 100g, so that might reduce your end cost slightly. But I still think that's a tidy little cottage industry you could have yourself there!

We use recycled jars (just for gifts, haven't sold any yet), what do you use shaz?

The only thing I've sold is my HM wholemeal bread (to my mum and dad!) they were paying £1.15 a loaf, and I did them a batch of 4 (organic!) for 60p a loaf. They feel it's a bargain, and it's meant a great saving for me.:T

My mum also feels like home-made is healthier, so she's happy.:D

I have a potential outlet (a lady in the village sells eggs and veg from a barrow in her front garden,he's a farmer)

for personal use i recycle but wondered if people "expect" a new jar or would be happy in its rusticness(is that ia real word)

reality is the jars cost more than whats in 'em
http://www.kitchenandgarden.co.uk/acatalog/Glass_Jars___Bottles.html

http://www.lakeland.co.uk/product.aspx/!3819_3818

could probably get away with just buying new lids for existing jam/marmalade jars

Next question

How much to charge??

oh and good recipes here
http://www.allotment.org.uk/recipe/category/chutney-jam-val/


would love to do a farmers market type business but i have had an encounter with self employment which ended badly


Shaz

weezl74

I reckon recycled is more appealing in these eco-friendly times!

ISOM does hers for £1.50 a jar, how does that grab you?

Yeah, being self-employed can be quite hassly. What about a barter system or just selling to friends/family?

Or even using them as christmas/birthday pressies, cos they can be costly events eh? :eek:

Just some thoughts, hope they are of use

shaz_mum_of__2

Yeah

I am planning christmas pressies already we make wine too

gonna buy baskets from here

http://www.candigifts.co.uk/items/product-range/wicker-baskets~trays/bottle-carriers/wicker-bottle-carrier-4-detail.htm

the wine works out about 50p a bottle so 4 bottles is a big gift but real cheap

other foody baskets will be made too and supplemented with a little local luxury cheese and bags of homemade fudge and cookies etc


hope the effort is appreciated


Shaz


ps
that reminds me anyone got a good biscuit recipe to go with cheese i like the ones with celery in(fudges i Think)

£1.50 sounds great just need to sell 100 a week now???:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: