Posted: Sat Jan 31, 26 7:08 pm Post subject: It now becomes imperative to live out of the store cupboard
I have topped up the new under the counter fridge (which was empty as I was waiting for the new one) and taken advantage of other good offers to bring the delivery up to and over the minimum to get it free.
Stores are full and I've overspent just a bit on the food budget. So, here's to eating down the stores. Probably best to see off what's in the freezer as that's the most likely to break down next. I mean, cooker, washing machine and small fridge have gone in sequence.
So if I go out it's going to be taking the sarnies with me.
Oh did I say healthy? Humf that could be interesting. Anyway, let's start with this slightly out of date tin of peaches (not blown so OK) and some ice cream. While I go look for ideas on how to jazz up some baked beans with what I have.
gz
Joined: 23 Jan 2009 Posts: 9570 Location: Ayrshire, Scotland
Posted: Sun Feb 01, 26 9:00 am Post subject:
Something I learnt from my brother's enthustiastic cooking and baking Hungarian neighbour (he exchanges DiY for whst she gives him)!....just a teaspoon of paprika paste per tin of baked beans...cuts through the over sweetness.
Talking of bargains, Lidl had tubes of this at 99p....they keep better than jars once opened.
Thanks gz, mind Lidl is a bus ride and a healthy walk from here. Am sure can find the same thing a bit nearer.
Just spent time in kitchen batch cooking meals for the freezer - 6 pasta and veg containers now cooling. Washing up mostly done. There's a pile drip drying on the draining board and a couple of pans waiting their turn.
Nice work, Florence ! Batch cooking is the business. I do a lot, but have to be in the mood. Mostly veg and tomato + beans/lentils that can be herbed or spiced further when I finally use them. Also stews and soups.
I batch bake some things; biscuits, cassoulet and bolognaise sauce mostly. I make a double batch of biscuits and they keep well in a metal tin. The cassoulet recipe I have is for 6 people, so easily does us for 3 meals and the bolognaise I get an approx. 500g pack of mince and that does us 3 meals too. If I have a lot of lamb left over from the joint, I sometimes cook that up with 2 tins of tomato and onion, and that does for 2 meals.
In the cupboard checking there was the discovery of a stash of boxed tea bags obviously bought ages ago on some special offer. Still in date till end of year. 8 boxes of 20. The fortnightly visit by the Rington's Tea man will have to go - at least till late autumn if he's still doing a round here. He comes round delivering good standard tea, coffee and biscuits fortnightly. Definitely luxury. But with stock in hand, luxury goes out the door.
I've had to ask if | can place a cleaning order with the local Suma buying group as they are thinking of doing a lorry load (well £375 worth in total) of stock. What I have won't last till they decide to do another sort of coming up to Christmas. Trouble is that this is the cheapest way to get good standard laundry conditioner and such. I buy in 5 litre containers and decant into smaller bottles.
I thought to join the local eco-home shop but it's a slightly dotty shop where not all works so that you can walk in and get things. Oh and the access is decidedly dodgy at present. A chimney fell off an old property next to the line of shops involved. Due to the age of the property with the chimney, the required roof repairs and it being on a three way road junction, nothing much is happening. Nearly a year on.
I only use fabric conditioner for hand washed woollens so use very little. I have a supermarket own brand that has been sitting there getting slowly used for ages. If I tumble dry I have the balls with rounded spikes on that keep the things soft. It it goes out in the garden to dry then it takes its chances and ends up a bit hard.
Otherwise I use as few cleaning agents as possible. Some stuff for the bathroom and other sinks, toilet descaler, and washing up liquid mainly. Bicarb is quite good on some things too, and vinegar on others.
I mean, cooker, washing machine and small fridge have gone in sequence. 
View Latest Posts