May 2010 Grocery Challenge

hi...i need to go to the bank and fill up the gc purse...left from last week £0 unusual i normally have a few bob left but im spent up

im going to head to tesco later to have a look at the cooked chicken...down to £2 but i think they are small so ill prob not bother....i also need too get fruit and veg....and decide what we are eating over the weekend

have a nice day
tess

Just wanted to pop in and wish everyone good luck for May's challenge

May we all come at least 1/4 under budget! Well you can't stop one from dreaming can you? :rotfl:

Thanks to all those who run this thread.

Please put me down for £150 this month. Have managed quite well on £200 for the past 3 months so need to up my challenge:D

Thank you

I hope this is the right thread, I have a great OS recipe someone has just sent me from a different site. I hope you like it. I am going to try it out this month.

CHICKEN ADOBO

Here is one of my favourite meals - a simple, popular at-home dish for many Filipinos. Usually served with plain white rice. No strict recipe but the following has been replicated successfully so far:

Several chicken pieces with skin (whatever - legs, thighs, whole chicken cut up)
1 ½ onion, chopped (not too small)
3-4 tbsp of cooking oil (yes, it might seem like a lot)
3-4 cloves garlic, chopped
200ml dark soy sauce
1/3 cup white vinegar
1 ½ c water
A few (2-3) bay leaves (I like to use more, depending on size of the dish)
1 generous tbsp sugar
freshly ground black pepper
Optional - potatoes, a few small ones, peeled and chopped. This is not a traditional ingredient but it tastes soo good with!

Use a large pot. Best to use a pot which can accommodate all the chicken pieces in more or less one layer.
Rinse and pat dry the chicken pieces. Saute the onion in the oil. Add the chicken pieces and stir fry for a few minutes until sealed. Add the garlic as the chicken is browning. Now mix the soy sauce, vinegar, sugar and water together and add to the pot. Stir well. Add the bay leaves and the pepper. Stir again and bring to boil, then reduce to moderate simmer (add chopped potatoes now if using), covered, on low heat for about 30 minutes.

Basically the liquid should almost be level with the meat at the beginning. So after practice you'll be able to adjust the liquid amount accordingly for more or less meat. The proportion of soy/vinegar also can be adjusted to your taste. Some people use more vinegar, some use a lot more garlic (like a whole head) - it is up to you. Also works well substituting pork or mixing pork and chicken. A classic "tastes even better the next day" dish, if you are lucky to have leftovers.

Hi can I please join this challenge and aim for £300 for the month of may. Thats kind of a guess where i hope it is and then will try and cut down even more when have better idea of exact amount. There are 2 adults and 2 toddlers to feed from that. OH works away during week so cook seperate meals for him at weekends to take away with him or he just wastes money on junk food.