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Wholesome food on a budget?
posted at 9/10/2009 8:14 PM GDT
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First post: 9/10/2009
Last post: 18/10/2009 Total posts: 14 |
Hi all! I am new here. I have worked on reducing our food bills and have put a few ideas in place such as doing a weekly menu plan and keeping a recipe folder, however I am keen to really nail the meal planning/budgeting. We have 5 children between us and lots of useful "gadgets" such as a slow cooker, steamer and a double range cooker. I want to keep costs down and save time where I can.........it would be great to hear recipe ideas, hints and tips from others who are managing this successfully! I will share what I learn along the way too......
SG
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Re: Wholesome food on a budget?
posted at 11/10/2009 10:07 PM GDT
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First post: 11/10/2009
Last post: 21/11/2009 Total posts: 17 |
How/Where do you do your shopping? I get deliveries from tesco (cheapest delivery time) and only shop on deals for freezer essentials and get loads of tins and the heavy things. I then search for discount codes which normally are more than the cost of delivery-so i do better than break even. I also go to the shops in the morning and catch the going out of dates fridge items (just red meat) and then i can pick up the best fruit and veg as i wouldnt trust the shop to pick that for me. I do lots of soups (easy frozen veg packets) and fill up on those first, cheap cuts of meat from the butcher for beef pie (love the slow cooker). Good luck x |
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Re: Wholesome food on a budget?
posted at 12/10/2009 10:08 AM GDT
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First post: 9/10/2009
Last post: 18/10/2009 Total posts: 14 |
Hi I shop at Tesco too. I tend to shop online and will use my login for a a few weeks, then use my partners. That way Tesco think I've stopped using them and send me money off vouchers....then when my partner "stops" using them they send him the money off vouchers to encourage us back. ;-) Occasionally I go to Morrisons as they have some good deals on from time to time but I find it's swings and roundabouts and I usually spend about the same each week. Today I am making sausage mas and veg for the kids as I have some sausages that need eating up. DP and I eat later so we will have Shepherds pie, and I plan to make a smaller one for the kids to have tomorrow. It's a great idea to look online for the discount codes - I will give that a try too. Thanks for replying SG
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Re: Wholesome food on a budget?
posted at 22/10/2009 5:45 PM GDT
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First post: 21/10/2009
Last post: 18/11/2009 Total posts: 65 |
Hi, Supagirl! Although I don't eat meat, I know someone who bulks out their meat (especially ground beef) with lentils. You can get all sorts now, including darker ones that sort of blend in better (if you need to disguise them from picky eaters!) Try Beluga lentils, or Paradina lentils, both dark and savoury tasting. Farmers Markets are the best place to buy fruit and veg as generally it is local, fresher, and cheaper, plus you can buy what you want, not how much they want to sell you. In Space, No One Can Hear You Sing. |
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Re: Wholesome food on a budget?
posted at 27/10/2009 9:44 AM GST
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First post: 27/10/2009
Last post: 30/10/2009 Total posts: 5 |
I agree - farmer markets are the best. Fresh veg lasts that little bit longer, and have a better taste which satisfies your taste buds more and leads to less pickings. Also I suggest befriending someone with an allotment/vegetable patch and offering to help care for it in return for veg (great exercise free!) Another thing I suggest is to start your own herb garden - you don't need much space for this window sills are absolutely fine! You'll save a fortune in the long run if you can freeze dry the herbs. Educate yourself on what is "in season". Food differ in quality and price at different stages in the season. There are lots of "World War II" recipie sites which will give you cheap and wholesome recipies - you can update them with herbs and spices as you like. One of my favourites is "Lob Scouse" (not sure of the spelling). It is generally season root vegetables (potatoes, carrots, swede are a classic), mutton (lamb or beef is fine as well), Spice it up as you want and cook in a pressure cooker if you are short on time or until meat is tender in a slow cooker. Modlen x |
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Re: Wholesome food on a budget?
posted at 11/11/2009 4:07 PM GST
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First post: 11/10/2009
Last post: 21/11/2009 Total posts: 17 |
Ocean star- i never knew that about lentils, i used to use oatmeal (and would have the skirlie too) but my husband doesnt like it.Booo!!
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Re: Wholesome food on a budget?
posted at 11/11/2009 7:13 PM GST
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First post: 21/10/2009
Last post: 18/11/2009 Total posts: 65 |
Mrs McD, there are so many kinds of lentils out there! Most health food shops stock puy lentils, again deep, rich, and savoury. This link is to Merchant Gourmet, and many supermarkets and delis stock this line now. http://www.merchant-gourmet.com/ Another way to make dishes taste richer and more savoury if substituting meat is to add Marmite to taste. I find it gives a real depth to any casserole or stew, and I add it into chili kidney beans for all my non-carne Tex-Mex. I know someone who uses 50% ground beef and 50% Quorn mince with a spoon of Marmite added and her family have yet to realise they are being duped into healthier food. In Space, No One Can Hear You Sing. |
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