low budget cooking

Well, we don't have a slow cooker, but if I put it on the hob on low heat it would probably be ok while I am out, don't you think?  Then I suppose I could finish up the soup tonight and we could have it tomorrow....
trying to get better at this.... unfortunately, I didn't think about how far I was trying to stretch this chicken, and I have already thawed some boneless chicken thighs that need to be used now... I suppose I could add those in and shred them for the soup... 

You really shouldn't do that if there is going to be no one in the house.

Vicky

The biggest and best advice for cheap cooking is to get a selection of herbs and spices together and a large bulb of garlic.  Once you have them you are all set to go...even cheapo meals are nicer with good seasonings.

Our really really cheap meals consist of:-

Pasta is so cheap and you can always use it to beef up other dishes..

Green pesto pasta with a small sprinkle of cheese of top.

Smoked Kippers are about £0.60p for four at Tesco and we have that with salad or veg.

Sausage or meat Casserole.

Peppered Makeral and vegetables.

Tuna pasta bake.

Jacket potatoes and asda own brand of light cream cheese ( tastes exactly like philladelphia ) and veg.

We buy chicken thighs rather than a whole chicken as we are on a budget and its far cheaper than a whole chicken or breast meat..but still just as nice..

Roasted Butternut Squash £1.50 for two and Tomato & Basil topping..

Stir fry.  You can buy stir fry veg already made up for £1.50 for two people and just add pork strips.

Asda do their own packets of quick cook rice for about 30p each and they are really really nice.

Buy those partaily baked baguettes ( usually buy sainsbury own brand for 39p for two large ones)..slice vertically every 2 inches or so.  Mix in a bowl a little butter/crushed garlic and parsely.  Put a little in each cut and bake in the oven and you have very cheap but really scrummy garlic bread.  Cheaper than shop bought stuff. ( and nicer )

For treats..we have made a few cakes.  We bought a huge bag of self raise flour from Sainsbury budget selection for about 40p! and 15 sainsbury budget eggs for £1.29.  Nothing wrong with the eggs and they are all lion stamped the only reason they are cheap for 15 is because they are various sizes within the box and a bag of caster sugar for 80p and a tub of Pure soya marg for £1.15.  We have managed to make at least 8 large cakes over the last two months!!

We tend to buy our fruit and veg in Asda and meat in Sainsbury.  I do tend to buy cabbage and leeks because they seem to last longer than most green veg and root vegetables.

I admit that I am usually a Waitrose girl but having to seriously budget over the last few months because of only one income..We have tried all sorts of value items from cheaper supermarkets and had some pleasent and not so pleasent experiences..

and 15 sainsbury budget eggs for £1.29. Nothing wrong with the eggs and they are all lion stamped the only reason they are cheap for 15 is because they are various sizes within the box

The eggs are cheap because they are from battery hens.  Please consider upgrading to free range or at least barn eggs.

http://www.sainsburys.co.uk/food/foodandfeatures/safety_quality/articles/eggs.htm?prevUrl=%2fsearch.htm%3fquery%3deggs%26x%3d0%26y%3d0

http://www.vegansociety.com/animals/exploitation/hens.php


Vicky

The eggs are cheap because they are from battery hens.  Please consider upgrading to free range or at least barn eggs.
Vicky

I know they are battery hens.  Its about purse strings being tight,,,not options at the moment. Believe me..my choice is free range and has been for years up until the last 4 months where I basically have to consider surviving instead....Believe me..once two wages are coming back into the household..thats what we shall be eating again...free range.

Fairy 'nuff.  I'd rather go without, but hey-ho 


(Sorry I am being so sanctamonious...I feel VERY strongly about this issue).


Vicky

Fairy 'nuff.  I'd rather go without, but hey-ho 
(Sorry I am being so sanctamonious...I feel VERY strongly about this issue).
Vicky

No offence taken 

I feel strongly about the way in which some animals are slaughtered for food...convienince versus painless...but thats a whole other subject 

(doesn't it take a few hours to make stock?)

If you just want to make stock (we use it as the base for other dishes), pick the carcass as clean as you can but you can still leave some bits on it.  Plop it in a pot & cover with water.  I add 1-2 stalks chopped celery, a chopped carrot, and a chopped onion - they can all be roughly chopped and you don't even need to peel them.  I season with salt & pepper, usually some fresh herbs (from our garden) which might include any of the following - thyme, rosemary, bay leaf, etc.  Let it simmer away for about 3 hours.  Strain & there's your stock.  We usually bung a quart/litre or two in the freezer and use it for things like making soup, curries, risotto, etc... 

Well, we don't have a slow cooker, but if I put it on the hob on low heat it would probably be ok while I am out, don't you think?  Then I suppose I could finish up the soup tonight and we could have it tomorrow....
trying to get better at this.... unfortunately, I didn't think about how far I was trying to stretch this chicken, and I have already thawed some boneless chicken thighs that need to be used now... I suppose I could add those in and shred them for the soup... 

i would really recommend getting a slow cooker, I know tesco have one at half price for just under £10 at the moment, i swear by it for anything, but i love that i can go work in the morning ,through in some veg and meat and come home to a great stew, all cooked when i am tired form a long day of teaching and having to deal with my own 2. Tomorrow i am making a chocolate chip steamed pudding in it. plus with a slow cooker yu can make a few batches and freeze.

I also recommend for anyone the Bero home reciped cook book, it has good wholesome recipes in it from making pastry to pies, and cakes etc they sell them in Morrisons, for £1.40 or you can pick one up on there web site  http://www.be-ro.com/f_about.htm, and they have tonnes of recipes here http://www.be-ro.com/f_insp.htm

I feel strongly about the way in which some animals are slaughtered for food...convienince versus painless...but thats a whole other subject 

With you there, Sista...but I'm a veggie, so I would be!


Vicky

You really shouldn't do that if there is going to be no one in the house.

Vicky

I left DH in charge... should've mentioned that!   

So, yeah... made a nice chicken and rice soup, and I am proud to say I have finally used a whole chicken.  Now it didn't have to die for just one or two meals... 
OK, new post coming up about soup!!!   

I second the recommendation for a slow cooker.

I love mine!