Eating Well on a Budget

[Phaedra]

Today's Lidl 50%-off treasure hunt - 5.6Euros for all these
The apples are also extremely cheap at this time of the year, I got 2kg for 1.79Euros.

The scallions are processed right away, and I can use them for many dishes next week.

I will use some banana to bake a banana and walnut pound cake ; half of the cauliflowers will join the curry tomorrow and half will be used next week; the mushroom will be used with ham for the omelet.

 

[Phaedra]

A very delicious winter curry - the major ingredients are:
Beef rib (special offer of the week, 7.99Euro/kg)
half a package of 30% discounted ready-to-eat meatballs
carrots, potatoes, pumpkins, onions, an apple, two pieces of 88% dark chocolate, and one 50% discounted cauliflower

I didn't have a fancy curry recipe. In fact, I don't use any recipe most of the time. So, let me share photos with some descriptions. The curry powder from the discounter can be a nice start for anyone. What we have to do is to adjust the flavor based on the family members and the season. For example, the curry I made today is pretty spicy, as winter is almost here.

I checked two bags of onions before sending them to the pantry. Some will join today's curry party or the dishes for the coming weekdays.

I love using glass containers to store fresh ingredients - easily see what's inside.

Beef ribs - the bones are removed to make broth.

Chili flake and chili powder will improve both the flavor and color of the curry.

I also chopped one apple and added salt and honey for seasoning. After the ingredients were well cooked, I took them out. Half of the potatoes, onion, apple, and pumpkin were left in the pot and became the natural thickeners.

It can be easily done with a hand mixer.

Two pieces of 88% (above 80% is ok) dark chocolate to enhance the flavor and add a bit more acidity

The ingredients went back, and then the cauliflowers joined. The curry is done after simmering for another ten minutes, which keeps the cauliflower's natural sweetness and ideal texture.

It's also very suitable for a lunch box.

 

[ducks4you]

OMG, @Phaedra Geiermann , you will LOVE getting/using a pressure canner,. I made the stuffing with turkey broth that I had canned a few week's earlier It will keep until Next year if I don't use it all. I make all of my broth withOUT salt, meaning you can season any way you want. I am perfecting my "chicken soup" broth by cooking the chicken with onions, thyme, carrots and celery and I pour 1/2 teaspoon of celery seed in the jars before I can them.
You Don't have to worry about the supply chain. Broth is NOT a hot item. At ALDI broth is still selling for $1.79/quart. They only carry beef and chicken. I have made turkey broth and lamb broth. I suppose if somebody gives me a deer then I will make deer broth.
We would have such FUN, were we neighbors!

 

[Phaedra]

OMG, @Phaedra Geiermann , you will LOVE getting/using a pressure canner,. I made the stuffing with turkey broth that I had canned a few week's earlier It will keep until Next year if I don't use it all. I make all of my broth withOUT salt, meaning you can season any way you want. I am perfecting my "chicken soup" broth by cooking the chicken with onions, thyme, carrots and celery and I pour 1/2 teaspoon of celery seed in the jars before I can them.
You Don't have to worry about the supply chain. Broth is NOT a hot item. At ALDI broth is still selling for $1.79/quart. They only carry beef and chicken. I have made turkey broth and lamb broth. I suppose if somebody gives me a deer then I will make deer broth.
We would have such FUN, were we neighbors!

I believe SO! I just ordered an Instant Pot with a good black Friday price. I didn't even use a pressure cooker, so expected.

I love making and use broth very often. Most of the time, I made them with sliced ginger and scallion. Sometimes, I used root vegetables to make the broth, too.

I am sure we would have a lot of fun when we were neighbors. In Mandarin, the term "internet" is translated as "net street" - so, we are neighbors under such an interpretation. 😘

 

[Dahlia]

A very delicious winter curry - the major ingredients are:
Beef rib (special offer of the week, 7.99Euro/kg)
half a package of 30% discounted ready-to-eat meatballs
carrots, potatoes, pumpkins, onions, an apple, two pieces of 88% dark chocolate, and one 50% discounted cauliflower
View attachment 53644

I didn't have a fancy curry recipe. In fact, I don't use any recipe most of the time. So, let me share photos with some descriptions. The curry powder from the discounter can be a nice start for anyone. What we have to do is to adjust the flavor based on the family members and the season. For example, the curry I made today is pretty spicy, as winter is almost here.

I checked two bags of onions before sending them to the pantry. Some will join today's curry party or the dishes for the coming weekdays.
View attachment 53645
I love using glass containers to store fresh ingredients - easily see what's inside.
View attachment 53646

Beef ribs - the bones are removed to make broth.
View attachment 53647
Chili flake and chili powder will improve both the flavor and color of the curry.
View attachment 53648

I also chopped one apple and added salt and honey for seasoning. After the ingredients were well cooked, I took them out. Half of the potatoes, onion, apple, and pumpkin were left in the pot and became the natural thickeners.
View attachment 53649
It can be easily done with a hand mixer.
View attachment 53650
Two pieces of 88% (above 80% is ok) dark chocolate to enhance the flavor and add a bit more acidity
View attachment 53651
The ingredients went back, and then the cauliflowers joined. The curry is done after simmering for another ten minutes, which keeps the cauliflower's natural sweetness and ideal texture.
View attachment 53652

It's also very suitable for a lunch box.
View attachment 53653

You make so many beautiful looking dishes!

 

[digitS']

Ha. There is a Hershey's chocolate ad on this page as I read it!

I like our homemade curry but it is simply using a curry powder in what would otherwise be stew. No, I don't follow a recipe of ingredients or amounts but it's a common meal for us. And then, we may add the curry powder. An ad or no ad•vertisement, using chocolate wouldn't have occurred to me .

I'd like to think that I might make different meals just by playing around with the separate ingredients in the curry powder. That might be fun aaaannd tasty!

Steve

 

[flowerbug]

What Is Mole?

We break down one of Mexico's most beloved sauces and show you how to make your own mole at home.

www.foodnetwork.com

 

[baymule]

What Is Mole?

We break down one of Mexico's most beloved sauces and show you how to make your own mole at home.

www.foodnetwork.com

I make chicken mole frequently. I buy the Dona Maria in a jar at the store. It’s so good!

 

[baymule]

 

[flowerbug]

the first time i ever had chocolate and coffee flavors added to something unusual during cooking was when Mom was making pumpernickle bread. it was good. later on in life i had a friend give me a bread machine and i was trying all sorts of old recipes and making up new ones and remembered that and did a loaf which turned out really well, and then i added saurkraut to it and it was even better!

the first time i had mole' was way back when i visited relatives out in Santa Fe. the Mom of that family (just turned 90 and she was a nice person and i miss her and her daughter and can't get out west to visit again anytime soon) was making a big pot of chicken mole' and it was so strange to me but it sure got my attention.