First week of strict budget weekly shop. Any tips?

[holsnovell]

I'm going to do a meal planner and try and make as much as i can. But does anyone have any tips?

I used lidl once before and was not to keen. Some great recipes thanks. I can't do online shopping as i use my phone for internet and can only get on a few sites but at the mo going food shopping is a treat just to get out! Lol. How long do i boil carcass of chicken?

Bring the carcass to a boil with water, any veg left over from your roast dinner ( not essential) then simmer it for about 3 hours with a lid on the pan.
Then sieve the contents of pan ( making sure you really squash the carcass cos lots of juice is in it)
Then place in container and wait to cool. Skim any fat of the top when it's cooled down.

Then he stock cn be used as base for may soups, but onion soup is our fave and i's so cheap using just 3 large onions an makes loads!!!

Thanks mumto3. How much water would you normally use? Enough to fill large saucepan? X

Don't go shopping when your hungry you will only be tempted by yummy convenience foods.

Yes, Just you larges pan with enough water to cover as much of the chicken as poss.Good luck!!

I always stick a couple of small onions and carrots and celery- i just have the carrots and then i can fish them out after and eat them rather than trying to either throw out the carrot pieces because they are too small or disolving.

I once got nine meals out of a chicken. What a bargain. I was very impressed.

Thanks jelly. X

I'm taking notes here as we also need to go on a serious economy drive - chicken yes, veggie meals yes...

am planning next week's menu as I type

ooh Ive a toad int he hole tip - use normal cheapish sausages, then fry them off with some onions cut into thick wedges and add about 100mls of apple juice. Boil the apple juice down to a sticky glaze then carry on as normal. The sweetness really adds to the flavour of it all and it is really yummy without needing to buy expensive sausages.

thanks chops i might try that tomorrow. How much apple juice? Hlaf a glass?

Do jacket potatoes with beans and chesse, or tuna and sweetcorn. Use them from a big bag of potatoes, don't buy 'baking pots' as they are only selected for size anyway.

Also bake your own cakes (v. cheap to do) so taht when you have areally cheap meal you can serve a nice cake afterwards and your family won't feel quite as deprived!

i find toasted sandwichs great a hot meal that can use it any left over if u like trying new things