This week I am going frugal! I am, at heart if not totally in reality, a homesteading, canning, self-sufficiency, Tom and Barbara Good kinda gal! When I was a teenager, my idea of a great Friday night was hanging out for The Good Life to be on TV. When the theme started and the little bird flew round the petals, I was not moving from that screen! Nerdy, I know! (I also had an exercise book with lists of names for all my animals, cows, pigs, chickens, all had names! Now that is super nerdy!)
Ah, Tom and Barbara were my first inspiration and I still love watching the show. Them, and John Seymour. I was hooked, still am.
Anyway, at the library this week, I found this book, Delia's Frugal Food. I am always drawn to books with words like frugal, thrifty, etc. in the title, so scooped it into my trusty, always over-loaded library bag.
It wasn't until I started reading that I discovered this book is a re-print and it was actually published in the 70s. Which is what reminded me of Tom and Barbara. (I am beginning to sound like that book 'If You Give A Mouse A Cookie'!)
There are some fabulous recipes in this book. Great for budgeting, and aren't we always on a budget! In fact, there are so many recipes I want to try, I am only using one book this week.
Monday - Stir-fry chicken with vegies and thin hokkien noodles and a sort of trifle thing made with jelly, yogurt, fresh fruit and chopped hazelnuts.
Tuesday - Spinach Cream Flan (from Delia's Frugal Food) and oat crunch biscuits.
Wednesday - Devilled chicken drumsticks (Delia's Frugal Food) with salad and roast potatoes. Chocolate Victoria Sponge Sandwich cake from At Home With Mrs M.
Thursday - Traditional Cornish Pasties (Delia's Frugal Food) with roast vegetable salad, minted peas and corn on the cob.
Friday - Fishcakes with Capers (Delia's Frugal Food) with green salad and coleslaw. Spiced Bread and Apple Pudding (Delia's Frugal Food)
Saturday - Bangers braised in cider (Delia's Frugal Food). Get the good sausages - I know, it doesn't seem budget, but life is too short to eat bad sausages! with mashed potato, carrots in ginger and honey and steamed green beans.
Sunday - And I couldn't possibly cook from a 70s frugal cookbook without cooking - Lentil and Vegetable Curry! The go to meal for all 70s vegetarians! And Blackberry cheesecake (both from Delia's Frugal Food). This cheesecake uses curd cheese instead of cream cheese to make it more economical, so interested to see how that turns out.
Look forward to reading everyone's meal plans.
Happy cooking!
P.S. I am loving this idea from I'm an Organising Junkie for Christmas (and other entertaining). For a person with only 8 or so wine glasses, this will be super handy!
Now, I have to come clean and admit that, until last week, I did not know what washi tape was. Never heard of it! Where have I been, you may ask? I am not sure how I have missed the thousands of blog posts on the amazing and varied uses of washi tape, but rest assured, now I am hooked! I have been on ebay and the designs are endless. I think washi tape will have to replace my 'how many colours of ric-rac braid does one person have to have?' quest.
I would love to hear, what is your favourite use for washi tape?
I have heard of washi tape but only on line and in some art form or other - the wine glass trick is quite clever! I was a fan of the Good Life and desperately wanted to look like Felicity Kendal when I grew up!
ReplyDeleteI know - I think I still do want to be Barbara when I grow up!!
ReplyDeleteI just loved watching the Good Life when I was growing up - although I didn't remember the more sexual overtones that I notice now. I have all the series and if I feel I need a boost to do some work I just watch it and it makes me feel very motivated. I particularly like the later ones where they dye the wool and spin it and weave it and Barbara makes Tom a suit. There were quite a few flaws in their research but it was and still is a fantastic show. Blessings
ReplyDeleteI have the DVD boxed set too! I love to watch them. I agree, not sure of the efficacy of some of the projects but it is just fun. I like the one where they paid their rates in coins. I would love to do that!
DeleteYes that would be good, imagine walking into the rates office with a bag of coins, good fun. Blessings
ReplyDelete