June 2008 Grocery Challenge

chocolateteddy

kiwi88 wrote: »

I always use demerara for things like this as I find white sugar to sweet I do use white for cakes though.

As it's my first batch I haven't tried freezing yet that will be with the next batch I think. Do I just bag them when they've cooled Thanks to the poster who suggested the ice cream scoop although I haven't got one I did remember to keep them all smallish and about the same size so I got 36 out of one batch. These will defo be regulars from now on :rotfl:

I use a tbsp measuring spoon (bought a set from Asda £1.50 I think) and last time got 44 out of the mixture.:T
I just put them in a freezer bag when cooled and they don't stick together:D

catnap53

shala_moo wrote: »

Hi, just like to say you guys are totally inspiring me!!

I've read the whole thread of June, its taken my a LONG time and the ideas and recipes i've picked up are all fab!!

Thanks for everyone posting recipes and tips, i'm convincing the OH that we need an additional freezer and that he will benefit from having more home cooked meals, scouring Ebay as I type...

You will find it addictive! As I was making pizza last night I was even wondering if anyone had a recipe for using the liquid from the mozzarella, and tonight didn't like to throw away the liitle bit of water I had used to poach the salmon.

Transformed life though. Just discussing with DD that we had never spent so little on groceries, eaten so much, and still have cupboards, fridge and freezer full, and of course less than one bin bag of rubbish each week with less going off and less packaging to dispose of.

Hope we are being healthier too. I am not buying any more F&V than I used to, but using up more of it and even though I have used so much more sugar, fats and flour than usual, at least I know exactly what I am using it for. It is all the hidden stuff (and other additives) in processed foods that I think causes the trouble.

Even get more exercise, the pizza fought back last night. The dough is supposed to be elastic, but it took a great deal of effort to roll it out to the right size, I'll make it a little bit softer next time.

Just finishing off the medicinal glass of red wine to lower blood pressure (I know there's the same effect from the actual grapes, but....) then off to bed, I hope.

Zzzzz

mrssnowy_2

Hello all,got back from hols yesterday-6 loads of washing later!!
Long journey as we had a puncture just as we left St.austell-started home 3 hours later than anticipated.
Yummy Cornish pasties,spect my weight has gone back on-that and the alcohol:beer:

Lost the plot with the spending,but (perhaps)wasn't too bad,however I will start my month now(still £200)which will run till the last Monday in June.The cupboards /freezer are quite well stocked and as I am not back at work for another week I'll be able to do a bit of sorting and cooking.
Need to do more jam for next fund raiser.Have had 2 more bags of jamjars left on doorstep for me:rotfl:

DH has hosp appointment tomorrow,have to be there for 8.15am,so we have a very early start as it is 45 miles away!

Haven't read all the thread,will catch up slowly as and when.
Night all
J

hamish222

Hi

Can anyone tell me I have a large pack of lamb mince in freezer. If I take it out and use half for burgers. If I cook other half and make it into a sheppards type pie, will I be able to freeze it again as lamb will be cooked or would it still be alright to eat next day? ( both mince and mashed potato topping ) Sorry for sounding so thick but new to this, never cook and always throw stuff away. But am turning over a new leaf as inspired by you all.

mumzyof2

Evening/Good Morning all

I made choc rice krispies this evening and also some hobnobs and my sister said i had not made them and that they came from a packet lol think she doesnt want to admit that they were good and they came from my cooking skills also make bakewell tart which was a hit with my mum but i did not like it. Just have a big bag of aldmonds and god knows what to do with them.. i do like aldmonds though.

Brassic

Hello all,

I've been away for a while and seem to have let bad habits slip in. I am having a real big problem feeding my family and not spending an absolute fortune. I would love to join in this thread, and set my intial target for £80 per week, £350 a month. Is it too late? I really am desperate to achieve this, and ideally would love to get to the point I can join in the £4k a year challenge.

I'll be working my way through some more posts tomorrow to try and get some more tips too. In the mean time, about me - we are a family of 5, with 3 children, 2 of which eat the same or more than me. I cook the majority of things from scratch, and am trying to grow some of my own fruit and veg produce, but am limited on space. I am not keen on doing the real value stuff as I worry about what it's got in it (like the fish heads in sausages etc) with 3 young children to feed.

Thanks in advance,
Brassic

yellowmonkey

Morning

Armed with my list and will pop into Sainsbury's today on the way home from work. They are a bit pricey but they open at 6am on a Monday so will save me having to pop out later.

So that will be my day. Go home shortly,shop and then bed . Bliss

Hope you all have a great day

ym

Pip-squeak_3

hamish222 wrote: »

Hi

Can anyone tell me I have a large pack of lamb mince in freezer. If I take it out and use half for burgers. If I cook other half and make it into a sheppards type pie, will I be able to freeze it again as lamb will be cooked or would it still be alright to eat next day? ( both mince and mashed potato topping ) Sorry for sounding so thick but new to this, never cook and always throw stuff away. But am turning over a new leaf as inspired by you all.

Hi
I have always beleived that it is fine to refreeze cooked food that has been frozen raw. I do it and have had no problems. it would also be fine to put the cooked meal in the fridge once it was cool and eat it the next day.

Boomdocker

I saw a lovely recipe in this thread for a meatless shepherd pie made with lentils. The OP posted a picture with the 'shepherdess/shepherdless? pie but I can find it via the search facility. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks so much.

OrkneyStar

Hi there,
Well I managed another NSD yesterday, even avoided the Fair Trade stall at Church- had lovely choccie for sale too!!!
Not planning to go out today so might well be another unofficial NSD, will add it on if it happens that way. Somehow I find it easier to make NSD's if I don't say that they are planned ones lol- odd!
Batch cooked mince on Sat, and now in freezer tubs ready to be made into various things. Today is mince fajita/enchilada things and all the bits are chopped and prepared. Tomorrow is the rest of the chicken jalfrezi from a week or so ago, with some rice, and have meal plans for the next two weeks! Only snag is the odd day DS cannot have what we are having so am making batches of cauli cheese, pork cass etc that he can have on those days too! Also making a big pot of split pea soup, DS portion removed before any salt added, and so he can have that for lunch with us (DH comes over for lunch at the moment), might also freeze some for him- should be enough for us all for two days lunch!
No fruit on tom/courgette/strawb plants yet (courgette got yellow flowers on and strawb got white) but tatties starting to peak out of pot, seedlings developed in beetroot, baby tom plants and cucumber plants developing true leaves, baby pepper plants and herb plants emerging, and the lettuce I shifted outside is still alive- some leaves going red so this must be the red salad leaves. Also planted some lettuce straight outside and it seems to be growing slowly too. Nothing with turnip or spring onions as of yesterday, not checked yet today. Leeks seem ok too- were babies when I got them and still alive lol! Exciting stuff!!!!!