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An Avalanche of Austerity for April - Mumsnet frugaleers continue!

999 replies

MissAnnersleyismyhero · 31/03/2014 14:58

Thought I'd start a new thread for April Smile

OP posts:
AdoraBell · 24/04/2014 00:38

I think canned kidney beans are okay, fairly sure they do the boiling at the canning plant. I once had a pressure cooker go wrong, the safety pin blew out and shot across the kitchen, never found it. Haven't used one since despite nearly 15 years relying on them.

MissAnnersleyismyhero · 24/04/2014 07:38

Paella... serves 6

2 onions chopped fine, 3 carrots diced, 3 sticks celery diced, 3 multi coloured peppers diced (get them in Aldi for 88p for a 3 pack!), 1 chilli finely chopped (optional), 3 cloves garlic finely chopped, 1 cup frozen peas, 1 cup chopped fresh tomatoes (3-4 tomatoes), 1/2 cup frozen sweetcorn.

2 tsp of paprika, large pinch saffron, stock cube, 2tbsp olive oil.

Fry off onion, chilli, garlic for 5 mins, add carrots, celery and peppers and saute until starting to soften and becoming fragrant (10 mins). Tip everything into the slow cooker, add 300g rice and crumble over the stock cube and spices. Cover with water up to about 2 inches above the rice/veg and turn slow cooker to "low" - it's helpful if someone can check it in about 3 hours to see if more water is needed, if no one is at home I'd maybe just add more water at the beginning. I use brown long grain and it takes 4-5 hours to cook on low.

When you're about to serve, add peas, sweetcorn and tomatoes and leave to sit in the hot paella for 15 mins. I usually do this when I get in from work while laying the table etc. I also usually toast some cashews in a dry pan and sprinkle them over the paella to serve....yum!

OP posts:
MissAnnersleyismyhero · 24/04/2014 07:40

For the cabbage I used this recipe but just layered the veg and spices into the slow cooker, turned it on high and cooked it for 3.5 hours, stirring it twice to mix the spices.
www.deliaonline.com/recipes/type-of-dish/party-food/accompaniment/traditional-braised-red-cabbage-with-apples.html

OP posts:
CoolCadbury · 24/04/2014 07:48

Yes, canned kidney beans are fine. I was thinking more about the dried variety.

miss that paella sounds delish.

ItalianWiking84 · 24/04/2014 08:43

silkknickers I just quickly boil them in a pot for like 5 minutes and then add them to whatever dish I am making, both in the slow cooker, in the oven and in the pot with other ingredients. Has never turned out bad...

SpottyTeacakes · 24/04/2014 08:46

I asked dp to get some bread last night and he didn't because 'there's six slices left' yes dp they're all mouldy Angry ffs I had to have biscuits for breakfast and not sure what I'm going to do us all for lunch. Think I have some pittas and soup in the freezer. Aiming for a nsd.

SpottyTeacakes · 24/04/2014 11:35

Argh just got a letter saying they're switching us to a water meter Sad is there anything we can do??

lizardqueenie · 24/04/2014 11:44

Cadbury how's your DS & his bump today?

Spotty we switched to water meter 7 years ago when we loved house & it actually saved us money compared to standard rates.

SpottyTeacakes · 24/04/2014 11:50

We pay less than £30/month atm I'm not convinced we will save money

Fluffycloudland77 · 24/04/2014 12:41

Aldi vouchers now off a £45 spend. Angry

SpottyTeacakes · 24/04/2014 14:49

I'm looking forward to food shopping this week as lidl have ribs, halloumi, feta type stuff, chorizo, children's yoghurts, cherry tomatoes all on offer. Yum.

SpottyTeacakes · 24/04/2014 14:54

Oh and can I have some frugal snack ideas for my two dc 3 and 16mo. They eat so much in not sure how I'm going to cope when they're older Hmm

SpottyTeacakes · 24/04/2014 15:09

Also, sorry for triple post Blush) does anyone know what lidl weetabix are like? Their Cheerios are gross.

Ohhelpohnoitsa · 24/04/2014 16:54

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Ohhelpohnoitsa · 24/04/2014 16:59

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Fluffycloudland77 · 24/04/2014 17:03

Weetabix taste the same to me but if your not happy take it back for a refund.

55p on the paper. I don't think I'll be bothering with the aldi voucher again. I'm going over to lidl.

Spotty did you ring the water board?

SpottyTeacakes · 24/04/2014 17:27

I don't eat weetabix anyway just the children so hopefully they won't care.

No I didn't ring them would it make a difference? Looks like they're changing everyone over.

Mmmmm quesadilla sounds good thanks Smile I do do individual jellies. I know really they should snack on fruit and veg it's expensive though as they only like strawberries,raspberries, blueberries, pineapple etc. Might get some tinned bits

Fluffycloudland77 · 24/04/2014 17:33

I had whole raw carrots to snack on when I was little. Took ages to chew so it probably kept me quiet as an added bonus.

I think it's always worth a moan. If you own the house I'd be looking on eBay for dishwashers (lose a cupboard if you need to) and close coupled toilets. Adaptation seems to be the key to survival.

Ohhelpohnoitsa · 24/04/2014 17:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SpottyTeacakes · 24/04/2014 18:07

Dp didn't bring any bread home so he's got to go out and make a special trip just for bed Angry it doesn't sound like a big deal but we are a twenty minute drive to any shops.

Can you freeze tortillas?

SpottyTeacakes · 24/04/2014 18:07

As in the wraps for quesadillas

eastmidswarwicknightnanny · 24/04/2014 18:52

Spotty I always freeze wraps as buy when reduced n never had an issue

ItalianWiking84 · 24/04/2014 19:04

NSD today :)

Just a quick question, any of you had Easidream Ewan the Dream Sheep for your children?
I have read so much good about it, but cant seem to find it anywhere outside UK, so wanted to be double sure it was something good before ordering and paying stupid amount of postal. Thanks

MissAnnersleyismyhero · 24/04/2014 19:09

spotty I am just making fajitas tonight using a reduced packet of 35p wholemeal tortillas I froze last week - they seem fine!

Another slow cooker win - soaked borlotti beans over night, then tipped them into the slow cooker with veg stock, crushed garlic, chopped onions, chopped chilli, cumin, paprika and oregano, top with little bits of butter. All yummy and creamy by the time I got home from work as "refried beans" for the fajitas!

OP posts:
CremeEggThief · 24/04/2014 19:25

£3.60 on travel, £6.65 on lunch out, £1 on a lemonade in a pub and £2.67 in Lidl.

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