My first January challenge to save money is to eat well from the storecupboard and freezer. I'm going to avoid spending money in the supermarket although I do have some vouchers and Nectar points to spend if I need them. I don't have any fresh fruit or veg left but my freezer is full of them so I won't go without.
I made a curry in my Crockpot. I tried to recreate my local curry house favourite Daal Makhani which is black lentils in a creamy sauce. Oh my goodness it tastes amazing!!! I'm glad I remembered to cook the black lentils separately first as they made the water go very black!! I'm also chuffed that I used my own home grown onions (stored in my wee plastic greenhouse) and frozen roasted tomatoes.
I had some satsumas that were a bit iffy so I juiced them and froze the juice. I'll probably add it to a carrot based soup later in the month. I found some tubs of soup in the freezer so that's lunches for back to work sorted.
What a smart way to start the year. Homemade soup is on my agenda too - I made carrot and parsnip today with blue cheese sprinkled on top. My usual is Lentil Carrot but, as you said, cooking with what's needing used up is better economy.
ReplyDeleteI tend to throw lentils into most soups just to boost the protein. Cheap, filling and nutritious!
DeleteLoving your projects and plans. Home made soup is just the best thing and so very frugal. Canned soups and even 'fresh' carton soups just cannot compare.
ReplyDeletexx
Still love Heinz tomato soup. Not managed to make a decent tomato soup yet. Might challenge myself this year to make a dairy free cream of tomato
DeleteI love this time of year, home made soups, one pot meals, so much lovely warming food. I'm on a break on knitting socks, I have loads as does my family.
ReplyDeleteLove a good one pot meal!! I've had a break from sock knitting so it's good to be back on it
DeleteI love homemade soup too in fact I'm sitting her wondering if I have enough veg in the fridge to make some soup today!
ReplyDeleteI gave up trying to knit socks. I just couldn't get my head round either using 3 needles or circular needles. I'm not fond of knitting, I lose interest in it too quickly and rarely finish anything. I've got a cardi I was knitting for my granddaughter when she was 5 and I chose the 9 year old size to give me a chance to finish it before she outgrew it! I never did finish it and she's 12 now, so if you know anyone who needs two arms a back and one front of a cardigan I'm your man!!
Lol!! I go through phases of knitting. I find socks an easy quick (ish) project to take when I'm travelling or hanging around waiting rooms.
DeleteYou have made a wonderful start on your New Year. I am planning to use more lentils as I seem to have lots of them. Never thought of making a curry with them so I will have to give that a try.
ReplyDeleteI love the colour of the socks. Such a bright and cheery colour for those dark dismal days of winter.
God bless.
Love lentils, they stretch out soups and stews plus add protein. I bought a huge bag of black lentils last year to replicate a takeaway curry but never got round to it. They hold their shape well but do need pre cooked separately as they make the liquid black!!
DeleteI too will be using stuff up like yourself. I have about three things on the needles to finish. I also want to start reading properly. I need to be more strict with myself and quit the laziness !
ReplyDeleteI hear you on the laziness!! I def go into hibernation mode in the winter months. Plus the pandemic stuff has made me very reclusive, just vegging at home!
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