June 2008 Grocery Challenge

mouche

This Saturday OH and I went to visit friends in the place we used to live. So we decided to stock up on Asian ingredients that aren't easily available where we live now. What with that and the juice/milk/bread/fruits shopping from Asda yesterday, we've got a grand total of £12 left for the rest of the month. We *ought* to be able to manage - lots of cooked meals in the freezer - but it will be tight. Plus, I'll be buying a bit of cheese today to make Cheesy Biscuits. I love making biscuits and cakes but have had to cut back because OH and I are trying to lose weight. But our lovely 80 year old neighbour has been helping us sort out our garden (we've never had one before) so I thought I'd make some for her as a thank you. Hope I have the strength to buy cheese AND NOTHING ELSE!

tq16

Just popped on to update signature-forgot to take list to mr T today:eek: spent £24.43, was meant to be £15 but shoudln't need to buy much next week as have freezer full (fingers crossed), got peppers etc that were on offer couldn't resist but will freeze so shouldn't need to buy any for while when prices go back up. Really hoping to be on budget this month, for first time :-) have inc alcohol this month as well so quite impressed. My friends are all shocked that I can even attempt to get shopping £150 month-have of course directed them to this site and mentioned that many of you do it on even less. My long term goal would be to get down to £100 a month but with prices continuing to rise this may just be a dream...

annelouise_2

MrsM,

As all my other veggies are doing ok and I have an unused grow bag that is now empty and was opened at the top do you think I can grow some potatoes over here????

Please let me know process and I'll get on with letting the potatoes I've got get legs and arms in anticipation.

Planted another small crop of toms last night,I have so got the gardening bug.

NSD for 3rd day now,having Pasta with Pesto for tea and have all weeks sandwiches frozen.Tomorrow we are having Baked Bean Chili made out of a tin of beans ,portion of bolognese and a blob of tom puree and a blob of chili paste.So maybe able to just buy a baguette as we have a guest for 5 days and want to keep well within budget.

Rest of weeks meals are in freezer or storecupboard and just need odds and sods like 15 prawns for paella and another baguette.

Krisipe Bars are going down really well and I have about 8 left for snacks and lunch boxes,10 Twinks and that's about it.

Later in the week I'll have a baking day and plan to make -Bakewell Tarts,Jam Tarts,Twinks 1/2 batch,Millies Cookies - as no room in freezer.

Any suggestions for 8 lemons that we collected on way back from town.I don't have any jam jars or I would've tried lemon curd so maybe next time.They are just hanging there on the side of the road ready for my kitchen.I will slice a couple and freeze for Sangria if not.

Have another 24 items listed on ebay at the moment lots of surfer stuff and Fatface clothes with 20+ watchers so I'm hoping they'll do well for me.

annelouise :rotfl:

Uniscots97

Not sure your 13 yo would eat this but this is what I make for 2 adults and 2 teenagers:

Sausage and tomato pie:

ingredients:

8 sausages = 0.50 (yellow sticker counter or use frozen ones)
1 large onion = 0.10 (estimate from last receipt)
1 tin plum tomatoes = 0.19 (value ones from Tesco, similar in Sainsburies?)
squirt tomato puree = 0.04 (estimate)
dessert spoonful plain flour (to thicken it up) = 0.01 (estimate)
pinch mixed herbs = 0.01 (estimate)
twist of black pepper = 0.01
potatoes (sliced so they're about half a centimetre thick enough to cover pie dish) = 0.35

= 1.21 for 4 (so ingredient for 6 would be roughly 1.80.


Cook sausages and then leave to cool, once cooled slice them up. In a frying pan or wok add your onion (diced) and a little oil. Cook off the onion, add the sliced sausages and then the plum tomatoes (chop these up before putting them in), add the herbs and pepper and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. Meantime par boil the sliced potatoes (about 8 minutes). Check the sausage and tomato, add the flour and give it a good stir. Drain potatoes. Put sausage mixture into an oven proof dish and top with the potatoes. Put in oven (about 180C) until golden and bubbling (takes about 20-25 mins in a preheated oven).

I serve with other veg and/or HM bread.

Downsizing__for_sanity

"Is there anything I can do with chicken giblets? Would normally boil them up for the cat, but he's on a special diet cos he's overweight, so not allowed any treats."

You can make a really nice pate with the liver, not sure about the heart etc but it would probably taste fine if fried off with some butter, garlic, maybe a splash of sherry/brandy/etc and then blended till smooth.

Phoolgrrrl

My GC has been suspended I think. We were still in budget, only spent £11 this week on meat and fruit, but since OH is living aways for work 4 days a week theres not much point in keepin goin. He will be subsidised for some food as there are 4 of them shareing a house so bread/milk and shared things bought by company. Still my actual shoppin this week was a box pf eggs and packet of boned chicken thighs.

Went to asian supermarket and my Dad paid for my stuff in return for a curry. The curry will prob cost £8 for a big pot but he bought me £20 of stuff! Plenty of spices in stock now so want to use OH being away to diet a bit. Using lunchhour to find lentil and bean recipies. Back in office full time so need tasty lunch ideas too!

Made 4 ovens full of Twinks for my sisters fundraiser on sat, went down v well with people asking for recipie and coming back for several helpings.
Have sent OH away with half a lemon sponge cake left over from fathers day dinner and some hobnobs. He is planning on having oven pizza for 3 nights!

mumzyof2

Hello everyone, im not posting much until friday when i get my allowence back. i have spent £4.54 in Mr M on saturday, im still hoping to come in under £50 this month

mandy_moo_1

well so much for good intentions!! only went to Mr A's for cereal, salad cream and a bit of chocolate........ended up spending £14.89 :eek: mind you, most of that was on chocolate for the month :rolleyes:

then i got a dozen free range eggs from the farm up the road for £2...is that about the right price to pay, cos i thought they were a bit dear

anyway, hope you're all having a good day, i've got a mountain of ironing to do so i'd best get on with it!!

nessquic80

Well a quick update on the loaf, while it was proving i made some twinks and added desicated coconut...they are yummy, only trouble is i've had 4 already!anyway the loaf looks ok, i did some rolls as well they look like mini torpedos and they're soft and springy, i must have done something wright( i did knead for near on 10 mins)so result me thinks!!!
Used up some of the salad stuff for lunch,peppers toms and cu with couscous that was yummy and OH has requested fish and chips which is easy as it will be a oven dinner with no prep:T
Take care
V
Just trying a chunk of bread and a slab of butter....uuuuuuuummmmmmmmmmmm, heaven!!!!!!!

OrkneyStar

Just a quickie....DS is 1 on Wednesday- anyone got any recipes for a birthday cake but with not too much sugar in ? Long shot I know lol.