• Planning our condiments and preserves.

    Published On: May 17, 2025Categories: Preserves, Saving Money

    During the year we make condiments and other useful items for the larder, depending on what we can grow, forage, or purchase for a good price. I don't make everything each year as I would [...]

  • Rhubarb, ginger and custard sundae.

    Published On: May 9, 2025Categories: Desserts, Recipes

    I needed a quick dessert when my daughter and family came for a meal. I couldn't be bothered to bake as I wanted to spend the day in the garden. I therefore made this quick [...]

  • Gluten free quiche.

    Published On: May 8, 2025Categories: Light Meals, Recipes

    We are trying not to go to the supermarket, and stretch the ingredients that we already have to last another month. I love quiche during the summer but didn't have any wraps and didn't want [...]

  • Pickie lunches and teas

    Published On: April 5, 2025Categories: Light Meals

    Pickie lunches and teas are something that we like to do to use up all of our fridge gravel and bits and pieces.  It feels really decadent and we do it if friends are coming.  [...]

  • Garlic Bread

    Published On: April 3, 2025Categories: Recipes, Saving money on food

    We were having an Italian style meal this evening.  I wanted some garlic bread but we did not have any garlic.  I therefore made it with wild garlic.  I had been lucky in that we [...]

  • Ratatouille

    Published On: April 2, 2025Categories: Light Meals, Mains, Recipes

    Ratatouille is one of the meals that we like to eat all summer.  It tastes so fresh, and I can make it from ingredients in my garden.  I am guessing that French would put their [...]

  • Falafels

    Published On: March 29, 2025Categories: Healthy food, Recipes

    We use lots of different recipes for falafels, depending on what I have in the cupboards.  I have been asked for a recipe, and this is one that we made the other day.  Usually I [...]

  • Chicken Kievs

    Published On: March 15, 2025Categories: Foraging For Food, Recipes

    My kitchen smelt gorgeous tonight as I made chicken Kievs for Mr S.  I had picked lots of wild garlic earlier to take to the community fridge, and wanted to use what was left up.  [...]

  • Cheesy waffles

    Published On: March 11, 2025Categories: Light Meals, Recipes, Uncategorized

    This is a nice recipe if you have children or grandchildren.  We are big kids and so make it for ourselves as well.  It can accompany any meal, or be a quick breakfast with an [...]

  • Beetroot powder from vacuum packs

    Published On: March 6, 2025Categories: Nutrition, Preserves, Saving money on food

    Mr S loves beetroot and it is full of nutrients.  We do grow 2 crops of beetroot but I don't have enough room to grow as much as I would like.  I do not like [...]

  • Chocolate cookies

    Published On: March 5, 2025Categories: Baking, Recipes

    A number of weeks ago, I was just as I was starting to do well with my healthy eating. Mr S came home with a 10kg box of chocolate aero mint balls for £8.  He [...]

  • No bake healthy ‘Snicker’ type snack

    Published On: February 15, 2025Categories: Healthy food, Snacks

    My mission to avoid the supermarket and spend as little money on food as possible, continues.  I am using up what I already have.  We are not baking as much now a days, in an [...]

  • Macaroni cheese

    Published On: February 10, 2025Categories: Light Meals

    Macaroni cheese Macaroni cheese is my grandson's favourite meal, and is cheap and easy to make.  We often add little bits of cauliflower and broccoli to the pasta (macaroni) when cooking it.  It adds extra [...]

  • Cinnamon bagels the easy way.

    Published On: February 10, 2025Categories: Breakfasts, Light Meals

    Easy cinnamon bagels Mr S fancied some cinnamon bagels.  I only want to spend £20 on food this month and so didn't want to buy some, and couldn't be bothered to make some the proper [...]

  • Vegan chilli in the slow cooker

    Published On: February 5, 2025Categories: Mains

    Vegan chilli is a cheap and tasty meal and, although we are not vegan, it is one of our staple meals as it is full of goodness and easy to make.  I don't always have [...]

  • The importance of cleaning your bought fruit and vegetable

    Published On: February 1, 2025Categories: Healthy food, Wellbeing

    Fruit and vegetables are a really important part of our nutrition. I hold my hands up that I never used to wash my fruit, and would eat an apple straight from the fruit bowl, or [...]

  • Stretching a bar of chocolate

    Published On: January 28, 2025Categories: Snacks

    I am trying to eat dark chocolate as I know it is healthier than my normal choice.  However, it is so expensive, and tastes a bit bitter to me and so I don't enjoy it.  [...]

  • Drinking home made teas made from what we have

    Published On: January 28, 2025Categories: Healthy food, Saving money on food

    Coffee and tea have really increased in price.  I don't actually drink either, but Mr S drinks both.  This year I am trying to embrace winter, and so have decided to try to make 'teas' [...]

  • Baked Egg custard tart

    Published On: January 23, 2025Categories: Desserts

    This dessert was very fashionable when I was young and can still be found in supermarkets and bakeries.  It is easy to make from staples in the cupboards and fridge.  Mr S loves them and [...]

  • Healthy chocolates with almonds

    Published On: January 23, 2025Categories: Snacks

    I was craving something sweet, and chocolate, but am trying not to spend any money.  I made a few of the chocolate discs that I made before Christmas but fancied something different.  I had bought [...]

  • Chorizo and cheese pasties

    Published On: January 22, 2025Categories: Light Meals

    It was a horrible, damp, dismal day yesterday and so we fancied some comfort food.  We are on the pantry challenge and so I am trying to use as few ingredients as possible.  We first [...]

  • Mexican Rice

    Published On: January 14, 2025Categories: Light Meals, Mains

    I wanted something filling for lunch and we have a lot of bits and pieces around to use up, including a small chicken breast that I had taken out of the freezer a couple of [...]

  • Quick Tarts

    Published On: January 13, 2025Categories: Desserts, Saving money on food

    Whenever the oven is on, I try to fill it. We are always baking ahead, not only to save money, but to save time. I will often cook some pastry pie lids or some tart [...]

  • Ham and Leek cheese and potato bake

    Published On: January 13, 2025Categories: Mains

    We are doing a pantry challenge, and so I am using up things from the freezer and cupboards for the next few months.  I have lots of Christmas left overs, including a ham joint that [...]