June 2008 Grocery Challenge

Savvy_sewing

Success, well partly, found the payment on my bank statement, £81.44 and then this weeks delivery is £58.75. But both were missing items, or had returned items in them. It was just as well that I looked at the bank statement or I would have missed the fact that they had not returned £5.81 on returned substitutes.!! So I can start to amend my bottom line now.

cookinmummy

angelnikki wrote: »

Yeah thats right, I always do this with peppers/mushrooms/onions and then just throw a handful into my cooking straight from the freezer. Some people freeze them on a baking tray first and then transfer to a freezer bag, that way they dont stick together in one big lump but I dont bother with that and just freeze in a bag and bang the bag on the counter to break a bit off.

Nikki
x

Well don't we just live and learn on this thread! That is such a good idea - will definitely be doing this tomorrow! Thanks Nikki

angelatgraceland

nessquic80 wrote: »

Well the girls at work think im on a cooking bender, for my lunch i took hm leek and pot soup made with real stock!for tea, hm quiche with salad and pudding hm rhubarb crumble.
But the other thing that goes through my head is when they sit down to eat their microwave/canteen meal i take a glance and analise what theyve got then think that for what they spent they could have made a massive dinner and frozen some,sad i know but i really have got the bug!! The girls think in brooding for something doing all this cooking, but its not what they think(a baby, one is enough for me) if i really tighten the belt(and OH) then i wont need such a larger amount loan for a conservatory....That is my aim anyway!!
Need to go out and get OH a fathers day present but this isnt coming out of GC and when i get back im gonna do some twinks with coconut!
Hope everyone is ok
V

Well done with that lot! You may even convert some of them a little(though they may not admit it). Ive been talking endlessly at work about this GC and everyone thinks its a great thing but being technophobes in general they don't get online let alone on MSE.

Judellie

Just updating sig
£13.20 spent tonight on takeout for us all, and £4 for school lunches.
Have 2 lots of mince defrosting for tomorrow. Will make beef and bean pies with one lot. Any suggestions for the other lot - already have bognaise and chilli in the freezer.
Also any suggestions for bananas - have about 20 of them that need something doing with them. Will make muffins and bread with them tomorrow but will still have loads left. Might make some banana and strawberry smoothies and freeze them. Any different ideas would be appriciated.
Thanks

Jude xx

TheBees

Evening everyone

Not spent anything as I was at work all day. Came home late and really fancied fish and chips but made the jamie oliver courgette, pasta and bacon recipe that he's advertising at the moment. (V.Nice). Should get a free meal tom evening as we've been invited to a BBQ!:j

Victory - When I make a chicken pie I just mix the cooked chicken (or chicken leftovers) with the soup and put a pastry lid on top. Sometimes to pad it out a bit I add baby carrots, sweetcorn or even some bacon. Hope this helps.

We are doing well on the budget with £105 to last until 30th. Hopefully we should manage to come in on target this month as there's plenty of food stil in the freezer and cupboards. Just the usual milk, fruit etc to get every few days.

Anyway - have a good weekend everyone.
TheBees

TheBees

JudeEllie - What is a beef and bean pie and how do you make it please? I often get bored of the same old things with minced beef and would love some new recipes.

Have you tried all in one mince? Basically make up a batch of savoury mince as if you were making shepherds pie (or make a double batch and freeze ahead). Then cook up some rice and add this to the mince along with chopped peppers, chopped bacon, onion, bit of paprika, some herbs etc. Any leftover veg etc. Don't forget a handful of oats to pad it out! Stir it all up.
Very tasty and filling. (Found this in a recipe leaflet at the butchers)

Hope this helps.

Mudbath

I've only got a tenner left for fruit for the month! Scary! Saying that - i'm not going to run out of lots of stuff for months and i'm going to get more organised with buying in bulk so I don't do it all in one month. DH went to the farm shop and bought lots of meat for the rest of the month including a big joint for father's day when my parents are coming round. I'll probably go over a bit this month as I want the children to have plenty of fresh fruit. Whatever I go over this month i'll take off next months budget to make me feel a bit better.

I had dairylea sandwiches for lunch because the cheese has been in the fridge since christmas and the children don't like it. Only 7 more days of dairylea sandwiches ... i'm not chucking them out though. To think I used to spend £3 plus on lunch every day. Tomorrow i'm going for dairylea, homegrown rocket and balsamic vinegar sandwiches!!! MMMmmm.... we'll see xx

Judellie

Hi Bees
Here's the recipe for the beef and bean pie, I got it from one of the threads on this site

Beef and Bean Pie

Beef n bean pie. basically like a shepherds pie , but with baked beans and sliced pot's for the topping.

2 onions , chopped
2 tbsp sunflower oil
500g lean minced beef
2 tbsp worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp tomato ketchup
1 veg stock cube
1 cup water
750g potato's ( thickly sliced , no need to peel)
415g can baked beans
85g grated cheese


1) fry the chopped onions in oil , until softened about 5 mins, then increase heat and add the mince. Cook for 5 mins until all cooked . Stir all time. Stir in worcestershire sauce, ketchup and veg stock cube. Pour in the mug of water and bring to the boil. Once boiled , reduce heat and cover, allow to simmer for 5 min's.

2) Meanwhile boil the potatos for about 12 mins until tender. Turn on grill, stir the beans into the mince and heat through. Tip into a 2.5 litre over proof dish and cover with slices of the potato. Sprinkle with grated cheese and grill until golden.

Although recipe says to grill, I put mine in oven on gas mk 8 for 10 mins.

I like the sound of the all in one mince, I might give it a go tomorrow


Jude xx

chocolateteddy

TheBees wrote: »

Have you tried all in one mince? Basically make up a batch of savoury mince as if you were making shepherds pie (or make a double batch and freeze ahead). Then cook up some rice and add this to the mince along with chopped peppers, chopped bacon, onion, bit of paprika, some herbs etc. Any leftover veg etc. Don't forget a handful of oats to pad it out! Stir it all up.
Very tasty and filling. (Found this in a recipe leaflet at the butchers)

Hope this helps.

This sounds nice but could you tell me when you say make up a batch of savoury mince as for shephards pie do you mean including gravy so just before you would put potatoes on then add the rice etc. Or is it different ?
How long do you then cook it for until cooked i presume :rolleyes:
Thanks

Girl_least_likely_to

Well I've spent 2 hours going round tesco's this evening trying to spend £60 so I can use my £6 off £60 MOC. I was adding everything up on my mobile as I went around. All the stuff on my list came to £35 so I have stocked up on loo rolls, washing up liquid, posh walkers crisps (half price), handwash, juice. Bought 3 lots of father's day cards and chocs and book and a top for £4 for me. So although I spent nearly £53 (with £6 MOC off and a couple of othe MOC's) only £30.56 is only classed as within GC budget. I don't include presents, alcohol or clothes .

Only thing is I only have £16 to last me the rest of the month :eek: .

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend