March 2011 Grocery Challenge

nat21luv wrote: »

Martafdz-where did you buy pork cheeks from, butchers?

I bought them at MrM but butchers often have them, sometimes not on display. Ask them next time but ask also if they are already prepared (without skin and fat). I read Waitrose and I think Asda also have them sometimes. I have seen them at MrM every other week. It's a bit like the pork shank, they do not have it everyday but every so often I find one. We had one for £1.70 last week that turned out in a tasty meal for two. :T I am thinking about boiling one and have it for sandwiches as I read here, it works out cheaper than ham packages, more natural and much better. Not sure how to do it though, do you remove the skin first or do you do that later?

rosieben wrote: »

Pork cheek recipes are in the index martafd :T

Thanks!!

martafdz wrote: »

I keep reading abiut slow cookers and I was wondering how many different kind of dishes can you do there. Can you do anything else other than stews? Without knowing anything about SC I kind of wonder if there is any other use other than braised beef, meatballs, bolognese, mince meat fillings.. I use my oven a lot, 80% of the time, I love roasted/grilled stuff. I would like to know what the slow cooker could bring to my home if I were to buy one. I know my next purchase should be a chest freezer, but then maybe either a Breadmaker or a Slow Cooker. I need to think what I would use the most :think:

Hi martafdz - I use my SC a lot, it's on at the moment with Brisket cooking. I also use it for Whole chicken, it all drops off the bone so no waste and your left with Stock for Soup, use it for Ham Shank, again it all drops off the bone and again you have Stock for Soup, I use for cheaper cuts of meat that need long, slow cooking, also for Mince based dishes like cottage pie, minced pie, spag bol, lasagne etc etc, Sausage casserole, curries the list is endless.

BUT - I also would miss my Breadmaker as I use it for Bread, dough for rolls, pizza bases, garlic dough balls and this year I'll attempt Jam in the BM - normally make it on Stove top but will try the Jam setting on BM.

I've updated my Total, kids had friends sleep round on Friday night and so I had 4 extra Teenagers to feed:eek: and then last night we had friends over for Dinner and we had to buy some Wine and Beer. Upshot of all of that is that we have less than £75 to last 20 days. Staying positive we do have 2 full freezers and full cupboards so I know we are well placed to stay within Budget.;)

I've made Rolls, millies cookies and choc fridge cake for this week's Lunchboxes, we're well stocked with fruit and Yoghurt so all happy here.:)

Enjoy the rest of the weekend everyone.:D

Can I ask how do you cook your brisket in slow cooker. I am sure I have a large brisket beef lurking in freezer. I have only cooked stews in slow cooker never whole joints. I also have a pork joint and chicken in freezer, how best to do them in slow cooker as well.

Thanks

Afternoon, everyone! Hope your Sundays have been nice. I've had a quite busy day, what with visiting some friends, then some more friends popping over and finally settling to make a chicken & ham pie for tea to have with mash and carrots. I wish I could get used to writing down the steps of what I'm making - it would make it easier to share the recipes - but I tend to make pie filling by eye, and only follow my standard pastry recipe. Still, today has been a No Spend Day (yaaaay!) so I'm happy. I do have a bit of a shopping list tomorrow, but as it's Shrove Tuesday this week I might do our main shop tomorrow night instead of midweek and that makes the rest of the week a little easier.

Have a good evening, everyone.

KB xx

Called at L*dl yesterday and spent $19.70.