Waste Not Wednesday

I am on a use it up mission, the freezers are full, the larder is really well stocked and the season of pickles and chutney is just around the corner, Francesca is looking at moving to London in the next few weeks so I need to find room to store food from the garden and  the preserves that I intend to make, I will also need as much money as I can save to put towards the list of needs that will arise from the London move.

I fancied something different  for dinner tonight so I had a rootle through the fridge and larder. This is what I came up with.

I found this from my last Approved Food delivery, I do not make a habit of using mixes but they are handy for holidays, we self cater, I can take a few of these instead of the contents of my spice shelves.

1 1/2 peppers, 1/2 an onion and a lonely carrot from the fridge. These were diced fairly finely and added to the mix.

I pack of  cooking bacon chops from Mr S. cubed and soaked in cold water for an hour, I did not want this salty as I was using a mix with salt.

Here it is, in the cook in bag supplied, I followed the directions but instead of using water I used cider, I always have some in the fridge it goes in nearly every batch of bread that I make. It does go flat but that makes no difference.

Dinner is served, plenty for three, I could have made an extra serving but there is still some of the pack of bacon in the fridge to be used up before Saturday.

I peeled and cut up 3 potatoes that had just started to sprout, tossed them in a little salt, pepper and a teaspoon of olive oil, they roasted on the top self while the bacon simmered away below.

1/4 of a cabbage that cost 20 p, and the same amount of a cauli that cost 30 p.


I have not costed this out but I would not be far out at £2 , the most expensive component was the bacon  for 80 p.

That gives me a nice warm glow in the tummy and the budget.

reasons to be grateful.

1. countdown to Wales has begun.

2. Lovely friends from my home village will be staying in the cottage, a little break away for them and garden care taking for free.

3.We are going to look for another rescue dog while in Wales, a buddy for Ben.

4. My grocery box is packed, I hate having to shop on my holiday.

5. The laundry is done, dried and ironed. woo hoo.

Two more shifts at work, an early night on Friday and off early morning Saturday. Debbie and David are coming on Friday afternoon so we can have a few hours getting in the holiday mood with them. They will stay on for 2 days when we get back so we can have a real catch up session. They are looking to move into the area so will be house hunting for the week, they are in a strong position, their house is sold and they are staying with  Davids Mum. She was a Dinner Lady when I was at primary school and her Mum went to school with my Granny, we all go back a long way.

Michael has done the washing up and Ben has been walked and fed, so..............TTFN     Pam