OUR FAMILY MEAL PLAN FOR WEEK OF 31/12/18 - £62

I took an unintentional blogging break.  Eldest was poorly, then GCSE mocks happened for 15yo, we had a plumbing issue, house inspection, our younger two were poorly, 15yo was tripped up and badly hurt her knee, and I'm into week 7 of my cold, then Christmas happened.

The Christmas holidays were such a relief!  All our children were absolutely exhausted and in need of a good break from routine.  The last week or so of term was a real slog.  It's been a much needed restful time, with several PJ days, and intermittent hibernation.

It's back to routine this week, from midweek onwards, so that means packed lunches and dinners to fit around after school and evening events.

Breakfasts will be cereal and milk or porridge with fruit compote, depending on the morning, and I'll make wholemeal no knead fruit bread at the weekend for toast and probably a batch of pancakes.

Lunches before work and school start midweek will be Broccoli and Potato Soup, and Spiced Carrot and Parsnip Soup both from the freezer.  Packed lunches will be Quick Vegetable Tagine, using mixed beans instead of chickpeas, served warm in flasks accompanied by Caramelised Onion and Cheddar Swirls instead of couscous, with a baked treat and piece of fruit for afters.  Weekend lunches will be Slow Cooker French Onion Soup and Mixed Vegetable Soup with homemade wholemeal bread rolls.

Snacks will be popcorn, vegetable peeling crisps, fresh fruit and homemade yoghurt.

Dinners

Chana Masala

Slow Cooker Hoppin' John

Roast Chicken with Roast Vegetables and steamed greens

Chicken Noodle Bowls

Roast Vegetable Frittata

Homemade Pizzas

Hot Dogs with Sweet Potato Wedges

Shopping List

42 items: £62.28

Packets and Cereals

1x   ASDA Smartprice Wheat Bisks (24x18g)                                             74p

1x   ASDA Strong White Bread Flour (1.5Kg)                                              69p

2x   ASDA Wholemeal Bread Flour (1.5Kg)                                                 £1.38

1x   ASDA Smartprice Self Raising Flour (1.5Kg)                                        45p

1x   Silver Spoon Granulated Sugar (500g)                                                 54p

1x   ASDA Smartprice Sultanas (500g)                                                       £1.00

1x   ASDA Easy Cook Long Grain Brown Rice (1Kg)                                  £1.09

1x   ASDA Egg Noodles Medium (250g)                                                     59p

1x   TRS Black Eye Beans (500g)                                                              £1.19

1x   Tropical Sun Popcorn (500g)                                                               69p

1x   ASDA Scottish Porridge Oats (1Kg)                                                    89p

Tins, Jars and Cooking

5x   ASDA Smartprice Chopped Tomatoes in Tomato Juice (400g)              £1.40

2x   ASDA Chick Peas in Water (400g)                                                      66p

1x   ASDA Double Concentrated Tomato Puree (200g)                                37p

2x   ASDA Mexican Style Bean Mix in Water (400g)                                   £1.30

Dairy and Eggs

2x   ASDA Semi Skimmed Milk 6 Pints (3.41L)                                           £2.96

1x   ASDA British Whole Milk 6 Pints (3.41L)                                              £1.48

1x   ASDA Free Range Mixed Weight Eggs (15)                                         £2.00

1x   ASDA Mature Cheddar Cheese - Light (750g)                                      £3.65

Fruit and Vegetables

2x   ASDA Grower's Selection British Spring Greens (500g)                        £1.24

20   ASDA Grower's Selection Bananas by Weight (200g)                           £3.00

2x   ASDA Grower's Selection Carrots (1Kg)                                              £1.30

1     ASDA Grower's Selection Butternut Squash by Weight (1.3Kg)            97.3p

2x   ASDA Grower's Selection Courgettes (3)                                             £2.40

1x   ASDA Grower's Selection Garlic (3)                                                     50p

2x   ASDA Grower's Selection Sweet Potatoes (1Kg)                                  £2.00

1x   ASDA Grower's Selection Ginger (125g)                                              45p

4x   ASDA Farm Stores Pears (500g)                                                         £2.36

4x   ASDA Farm Stores Apples (500g)                                                       £2.36

1x   ASDA Grower's Selection British Parsnips (500g)                                54p

2x   ASDA Grower's Selection Plums (750g)                                               £3.30

2x   ASDA Farm Stores Kiwis (6)                                                               £1.80

2x   ASDA Farm Stores Brown Onions (1Kg)                                              £1.50

1x   ASDA Farm Stores White Potatoes (2.5Kg)                                         £1.25

3x   ASDA Farm Stores Mixed Peppers (3)                                                 £2.97

2x   ASDA Grower's Selection Sweetclems (800g)                                      £2.00

Frozen

1x   ASDA Smartprice Broccoli (1Kg)                                                         90p

1x   ASDA Smartprice Peas (1Kg)                                                              72p

1x   ASDA Frozen for Freshness Sweetcorn (1Kg)                                      95p

1x   ASDA Frozen for Freshness Berry Medley (1Kg)                                  £2.75

Meat, Fish and Poultry

1x   ASDA Butcher's Selection Whole Chicken (1.6Kg)                               £3.28

1x   ASDA Farm Stores Cooking Bacon (600g)                                           67p

Prices and special offers reflect those of the online grocery website, My Supermarket, and are correct as of 30th December 2018. Prices may vary in different in-store locations. 

We purchased our shopping online from Asda, via My Supermarket and the cost of our groceries was £62.28. Had we shopped elsewhere our shopping list would've cost:

£76.35 from Tesco

£77.27 from Sainsburys

£88.53 from Waitrose

£92.72 from Ocado

My lovely blogging buddy Ciara from My Fussy Eater has created a fab Meal Planning Facebook Group so we can inspire each other. She also has a book out which you can order here. 

And Katykicker has a Meal Planning Linky full of fabulous Meal Planning posts with lots of tasty ideas.

Leave a Comment Bread, Breakfast, Chicken, Dinners, Lunches, Meal Plan, Meatfree Monday, Slow Cooker, Snacks, Soup, Vegan, Vegetarian

Broccoli and Potato Soup

Another soup recipe using cheap and free vegetables from our local supermarket. Broccoli was discounted to 20p per head for Christmas, and we were able to get 3 bags of free potatoes from the same supermarket which they were giving away to cut food waste. I've used both the florets and stalks from the broccoli so nothing is wasted.  We also made Vegetable Peelings Crisps from the potato peelings, and the carrot and parsnip peelings from Boxing Day.  I made two delicious batches of this soup, one for lunch today, and the other has been packed up and frozen. 

Broccoli and Potato Soup 

1 Tblsp oil 

1 onion, diced 

3 garlic cloves, minced 

1 tsp dried mixed herbs 

3 large potatoes, peeled and diced 

2 heads of broccoli, florets removed and chopped, stems finely chopped 

1 litre vegetable stock 

salt and pepper to taste 

Heat the oil in a large saucepan then add the onion. Cook until softened and translucent. Add the garlic and cook for another couple of minutes. 

Add the dried mixed herbs, potatoes, diced broccoli stems, and stock, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and simmer for about 15 minutes until potatoes and stems are tender. 

Add broccoli florets and cook until broccoli is tender and bright green, about 10 minutes. Puree using a stick/immersion blender then season to taste and serve. 

Leave a Comment Basics, Dairy free, Gluten-free, Live Below the Line., Lunches, Meatfree Monday, Soup, Vegan, Vegetarian

Spiced Parsnip and Carrot Soup

On Boxing Day we took a walk to get some fresh air. After a wander on the local common I received a text from a friend telling me that a local supermarket was giving away bags of Christmas vegetables. It was about 10 minutes walk away so we checked it out. Sure enough, huge crates and trolleys full of bags of parsnips, carrots, sprouts and potatoes with a use by date of today.

We took home 3 bags of potatoes, 3 bags of carrots, and 2 bags of parsnips. I'm sure hauling the extra weight home helped burn off some Christmas calories I baked one bag of potatoes so that we can have Twice Baked Potatoes for quick lunches or dinners once the holiday are over. The second bag was peeled, chopped and par boiled then roughed up sprayed with a little oil and cooked for 15 minutes. I then let the potatoes cool and packed them up for freezing. We've now got ready frozen roasties for the next couple of weeks. 

I made two batches of this delicious soup with the parsnips and some carrots. One batch of soup for lunch today, and one for the freezer. 

Spiced Parsnip and Carrot Soup 

2 tsp oil 

1 onion, sliced 

2 garlic cloves, sliced 

2cm piece fresh root ginger, peeled and thinly sliced 

4 large parsnips, peeled and chopped 

3 large carrots, peeled and chopped

½ tsp cumin seed 

½ tsp coriander seed 

1 Tblsp garam masala 

1.2L vegetable stock 

Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Add the onion and cook for a few minutes until softened and translucent. Add the garlic and ginger, cook for a couple of minutes then add the parsnips, carrots, and spices. Cook for a minute or two, stirring, until the spices are fragrant. Pour over the stock and gently simmer for 20 - 30 minutes until the vegetables are very tender. Using a stick/immersion blender, blitz the soup until completely smooth. Serve immediately or chill then pack into containers for freezing. This soup can be frozen for up to 3 months.

1 comment Basics, Dairy free, Dinners, Gluten-free, Live Below the Line., Lunches, Meatfree Monday, Soup, Vegan, Vegetarian

OUR FAMILY MEAL PLAN FOR WEEK OF 24/09/18 - £45

We're still in super frugal mode this week leading up to payday. Hopefully things with our tax credits will be sorted out soon so our meal plans can be slightly more adventurous and varied again.  I'm trying to get our groceries as cheaply as I can this week whilst still having tasty, filling and nutritionally sound meals.

Breakfasts will be porridge with foraged blackberries from the freezer, there's leftover plum and apple compote from last week that we can use too.

Lunches will either be egg and mayo/homemade hummus, with grated carrot and sliced cucumber.  There will be a piece of fruit and baked treat for afters.  Weekend lunches will be Twice Baked Potatoes and End of the Week Frittata.

Snacks will be popcorn, scones, and a cup of soup with a homemade bread roll.  I've made two batches of Tomato Soup and Basic Vegetable Soup and frozen them in portions for after school snacks.

Dinners

Slow Cooker Red Lentil Bolognese, with pasta one night and on baked potatoes later in week

Slow Cooker Hoppin' John with rice and steamed greens

Pearl Barley Risotto (two nights)

Slow Cooker Black Eye Bean Chilli with rice and mixed vegetables

2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp chilli powder (use more or less to taste)
200g black eyed beans
1 bay leaf
2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp dried oregano
1 Tblsp marmite/vegemite
1 Tblsp tomatoe paste
400g tin chopped tomatoes
500ml water

Put all the ingredients in your slow cooker, stir well to combine.  Cook on low for 8 hours.  We serve ours with a dollop of natural yoghurt or soured cream, cooked rice, and mixed vegetables.

Vegetable Stew with Dumplings

Shopping List

33 items: £45.27

Packets and Cereals

2x     ASDA Smartprice Porridge Oats (1Kg)         £1.50

1x     ASDA Wholewheat Spaghetti (500g)         45p

2x     ASDA Wholemeal Bread Flour (1.5Kg)         £1.38

1x     ASDA Smartprice Plain White Flour (1.5Kg)         45p

1x     ASDA Smartprice Long Grain Rice (1Kg)         45p

1x     TRS Black Eye Beans (500g)         £1.19

1x     ASDA Baking Powder (170g)         69p

1x     ASDA Good and Balanced Chickpeas (500g)         £1.15

1x     ASDA Good and Balanced Pearl Barley (500g)         55p

1x     ASDA Dried Red Lentils (500g)         £1.15

Frozen

2x     ASDA Frozen for Freshness Mixed Vegetables (1Kg)         £1.90

Tins, Jars and Cooking

4x     ASDA Smartprice Chopped Tomatoes in Tomato Juice (400g)         £1.16

1x     ASDA Smartprice Mayonnaise (500g)         41p

1x     ASDA Double Concentrated Tomato Puree (200g)         37p

Dairy and Eggs

3x     ASDA British Whole Milk 6 Pints (3.41L)         £4.44

1x     ASDA Free Range Mixed Weight Eggs (15)         £2.00

1x     ASDA Smartprice Mature White Cheddar (830g)         £3.69

Meat, Fish and Poultry

2x     ASDA Farm Stores Cooking Bacon (500g)         £1.14

Fruit and Vegetables

20     ASDA Grower's Selection Bananas by Weight (200g)         £3.00

2x     ASDA Grower's Selection Carrots (1Kg)         £1.30

3x     ASDA Grower's Selection Whole Cucumber         £1.65

1x     ASDA Grower's Selection Celery         52p

1x     ASDA Grower's Selection Trimmed Leeks (500g)         £1.00

1x     ASDA Grower's Selection Garlic (3)         50p

1x     ASDA Grower's Selection Sweet Potatoes (1Kg)         £1.00

2x     ASDA Grower's Selection Apples (1.2Kg)         £3.30

2x     ASDA Grower's Selection Pears (1.2Kg)         £3.30

1x     ASDA Grower's Selection British Parsnips (500g)         65p

2x     ASDA Grower's Selection Swede         £1.00

1x     ASDA Farm Stores Brown Onions (1Kg)         65p

1x     ASDA Farm Stores White Potatoes (2.5Kg)         £1.30

1x     ASDA Farm Stores White Mushrooms (300g)         68p

1x     ASDA Grower's Selection Cooking Peppers (700g)         £1.35

We purchased our shopping online from Asda, via My Supermarket and the cost of our groceries was £45.27. Had we shopped elsewhere our shopping list would've cost:

£46.51 from Tesco

£52.55 from Sainsburys

£60.45 from Waitrose

£65.85 from Ocado

My lovely blogging buddy Ciara from My Fussy Eater has created a fab Meal Planning Facebook Group so we can inspire each other. She also has a book out which you can order here. 

And Katykicker has a Meal Planning Linky full of fabulous Meal Planning posts with lots of tasty ideas.

3 comments Basics, Budgeting Tips, Dairy free, Dinners, Gluten-free, Live Below the Line., Meal Plan, Meatfree Monday, Pasta, Pork, Rice, Slow Cooker, Snack, Snacks, Soup, Vegan, Vegetarian

OUR FAMILY MEAL PLAN FOR WEEK OF 10/09/18 - £60

Everyone is properly back to school and Nursery so it will be the first full week in routine.  I'm sure we'll all be completely knackered by Friday.  Back to our usual schedule means that on a Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at least one of our children will need an early dinner or one that can be easily reheated later on.  

The weather is cool enough now for the older ones to have a cup of soup, with homemade bread, after school as a snack.  This stops them from being quite so 'hangry' and gives them an extra potion of vegetables which is never a bad thing.  I've made Vegetable and Pearl Barley Soup and Tomato Soup then frozen portions in silicone muffin cases ready to defrost and serve in a mug for each person.

Breakfasts on weekdays will be porridge with homemade compote, a good hearty start to the day which will hopefully keep them going until morning break.  Weekend breakfasts will be pancakes and scrambled eggs on toast.

Packed lunches will be Pull Apart Picnic Bread with crudites/homemade vegetable crisps, a piece of fruit, and a baked treat. 

Weekend lunches will be Versatile and Thrifty Flatbreads and 10 Minute Spicy Bean Burgers.

Dinners

Vegetable Fried Rice (using brown rice)

Sausage and Roast Vegetable Traybake with steamed greens

Spicy Slow Cooker Lentil and Chickpea Soup

1 ½ cups green lentils

1 onion, finely diced

1 inch knob of fresh ginger, finely grated

2 cloves garlic, minced or finely grated

3 carrots, roughly diced

2 peppers, roughly diced

400g tin chopped tomatoes

1 litre vegetable stock

1 Tblsp chilli powder, use more or less to your taste

2 tsp smoked paprika

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp ground coriander

1 tsp cinnamon

salt and pepper to taste

1 Tblsp fresh lemon juice

400g tin chickpeas, drained

Put all of the ingredients, apart from the chickpeas and lemon juice, into your slow cooker and stir to combine. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-6 hours.  Add the lemon juice and chickpeas, stir well and cook for a further 30 minutes until the chickpeas have heated through.  Season to taste then serve in bowls, garnish with fresh herbs if you like, and have some flatbreads on the side.

One Pot Pepper and Chorizo Spaghetti

Lentil and Vegetable Curry

Leftover Curry Pasties

Potato and Vegetable Bake

Shopping List

36 items: £60.19

Packets and Cereals

1x     ASDA Wholewheat Spaghetti (500g)         45p

1x     ASDA Wholemeal Bread Flour (1.5Kg)         69p

1x     ASDA Good and Balanced Green Lentils (500g)         £1.15

1x     ASDA Good and Balanced Pearl Barley (500g)         55p

2x     ASDA Scottish Porridge Oats (1Kg)         £1.78

1x     ASDA Ready to Roll Puff Pastry (500g)         £1.00

Frozen

2x     ASDA Frozen for Freshness Mixed Vegetables (1Kg)         £1.90

1x     ASDA Frozen for Freshness Berry Medley (1Kg)         £2.75

Tins, Jars and Cooking

3x     ASDA Smartprice Chopped Tomatoes in Tomato Juice (400g)         87p

2x     ASDA Smartprice Red Kidney Beans in Water (400g)         60p

1x     ASDA Chick Peas in Water (400g)         33p

1x     ASDA Double Concentrated Tomato Puree (200g)         37p

1x     ASDA Black Beans in Water (400g)         65p

Dairy and Eggs

3x     ASDA British Whole Milk 6 Pints (3.41L)         £4.44

1x     ASDA Free Range Mixed Weight Eggs (15)         £2.00

1x     ASDA Mature Cheddar Cheese - Light (750g)         £3.65

Fruit and Vegetables

20     ASDA Grower's Selection Bananas by Weight (200g)         £3.00

2x     ASDA Grower's Selection Carrots (1Kg)         £1.30

2       ASDA Grower's Selection Butternut Squash by Weight (1.3Kg)         £1.95

4x     ASDA Grower's Selection Whole Cucumber         £2.20

1x     ASDA Grower's Selection Celery         52p

1x     ASDA Grower's Selection Courgettes (3)         95p

1x     ASDA Grower's Selection Beetroot Bunched (500g)         £1.60

1x     ASDA Grower's Selection Sweet Potatoes (1Kg)         £1.00

2x     ASDA Grower's Selection Apples (1.2Kg)         £3.00

4x     ASDA Farm Stores Pears (500g)         £3.00

2x     ASDA Chosen by Kids Easy Peasy Peelers (500g)         £2.30

2x     ASDA Grower's Selection Broccoli (360g)         £1.16

1x     ASDA Grower's Selection Swede         50p

1x     ASDA Farm Stores Brown Onions (1Kg)         65p

1x     ASDA Farm Stores White Potatoes (2.5Kg)         £1.25

2x     ASDA Farm Stores Seedless Grapes (500g)         £2.50

2x     ASDA Farm Stores Plums (400g)         £1.58

2x     ASDA Grower's Selection Cooking Peppers (700g)         £2.70

Meat, Fish and Poultry

1x     ASDA Extra Special Chorizo Casero Sausage (225g)         £1.85

1x     ASDA Extra Special Pork Sausages (10 per pack - 750g)         £4.00

We purchased our shopping online from Asda, via My Supermarket and the cost of our groceries was £60.19. Had we shopped elsewhere our shopping list would've cost:

£65.64 from Tesco

£66.16 from Sainsburys

£73.58 from Ocado

£73.89 from Waitrose

My lovely blogging buddy Ciara from My Fussy Eater has created a fab Meal Planning Facebook Group so we can inspire each other. She also has a book out which you can order here. 

And Katykicker has a Meal Planning Linky full of fabulous Meal Planning posts with lots of tasty ideas.

7 comments Bread, Dairy free, Dinners, Lunches, Meal Plan, Meatfree Monday, Pasta, Rice, Slow Cooker, Soup, Vegan, Vegetarian