Sneaky ways to save the pennies

Mrs_Thrify

Hi all, this is the first time this year the washing has completly dryed on the washing line :j so no need to use the airer.

Went to Asda to look at the clothes sale and bought a few things.
Looked around the woopsies and bought more food.

Delighted to to say we shaved 50p off the duel fuel bill this week. I read the meter each week and and submit to SP. Not alot I know and some may laugh! I see it as a game to get it lower than last week. A (B) in the carbon club and 16 out of 55 for my house and family size. My bill is in the low bracket so it is hard to get any lower. My 50p saved is for gas so that tells me it is on hot water as radiators stays the same hours each week.

Just put "whoops" 14" deep pan pizza in the oven. Was £ 3.18 reduced to £2.38 so a saving of 80p.

ceridwen

bellaquidsin wrote: »

I cook veg in the microwave in a plastic or pyrex bowl with lid, with about 1/4 teacup of boiling water. Hard to give a timing as it depends on how much you're doing. Try 4 mins to start with and increase in minute bursts until just cooked. Remember to give it standing time as it will continue cooking during this time. You soon get used to guaging the timing for the quantity and yes they do retain their flavour. The only veg I don't favour in the microwave is runner beans.

However I did hear not so long ago that there had been research done and it was found that microwave cooking vegetables destroys something like 90% of the anti-oxidants, so I don't use this method so often now.

Does anyone know about this?

Bella.

If I come across any of the info. I read a few years back that caused me to throw away my microwave I'll come back on it....but meanwhile I found:

http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_6463.cfm

As with anything in life it seems - there will be other people vehemently proclaiming that microwaves dont do any damage to nutrients. There will always be a "vested interest" or two arguing against anything/anybody that is trying to "do the right thing". So - in the end - people have to weigh up the evidence for themselves and then "go with their gut instinct".

I dont recall the details - but I did the weighing-up of evidence - which seemed to indicate its highly likely microwaves DO destroy a lot of the nutrients in food. I then realised my "gut feeling" also indicates that microwaves simply arent healthy.

So - I threw my microwave out. I have never regretted it. I dont even miss it actually either. I simply bought a cheap electric steamer instead - and frequently use it to cook vegetables or rice (I havent got round to trying the other things possible). I think that steamer was money well spent - and its very useful to be able to go off and just leave it cooking away until the food is done:D. Think that steamer is the most used gadget in my kitchen - after the kettle and toaster.

bellaquidsin

Thanks ceridwen, food for thought,

Bella.

Fozz

I think the reason that I thought it was better to cook veg on the hob must have been to do with the loss of nutrients, so will investigate further!
I must admit that I have never used my microwave for actual cooking much, just reheating and defrosting.
However, I boiled some carrots a couple of weeks ago and found them to be rather tasteless. The same carrots done in the microwave were quite tasty!

juno

I heard that boiling makes veg lose nutrients! I think it's not so bad if you leave it slightly firm, but if you boil em til they're mush like my MIL likes then all the nutrients are lost.

InaPickle

Fozz wrote: »

I think the reason that I thought it was better to cook veg on the hob must have been to do with the loss of nutrients, so will investigate further!
I must admit that I have never used my microwave for actual cooking much, just reheating and defrosting.
However, I boiled some carrots a couple of weeks ago and found them to be rather tasteless. The same carrots done in the microwave were quite tasty!

Steamed carrotts are GORGEOUS, so if you have a steamer, try them.

richj

InaPickle wrote: »

Steamed carrotts are GORGEOUS, so if you have a steamer, try them.

most veg is better steamed, it tastes like it is supposed to.

puss14

I also steam all my vegies and sometimes I drink the water as it is very good for you. If I don't i add it to my dogs biscuits so they get all the goodness:T

Mrs_Thrify

Hi all, I love fresh veg and use a steamer when I do not cook a 1 pot meal in the slow cooker.

Today I am making a turkey and ham pie. The turkey and ham have gone in the slow cooker along with carrots and onions. Will be adding pea's and sw.corn in the last hour. Than transfer to a pie dish to add a pastry top.

killielila

fab thread loving it !

to get te best neutriant out of veg your suppose to eat them in there rawest form you can
except Tomatoes whos active ingediant lycopene (sp?) gets more potent after cooking - even in ketchup lol