It’s Friday Guys – It’s time for No Waste Tastes Great 🙂
Click here to find out more about my Friday routine
Simply Being Mum’s Friday Fridge
Top Shelf – Spreads (plus I still have that buttercream hanging around!), cheddar cheese and soft cheese (both unopened and in date), 3 garlic bulbs, root ginger and 2 yogurts (in date).
Top Middle Shelf – A few grapes – about to be eaten with lunch!
Bottom Shelf – A head of broccoli and a few carrots – see plan below!
Door – Milk and OJ – to be used up today…
Today’s plan is a little different to usual as tonight I’m hosting a dinner party for a group of my girlfriends affectionately known as the TeddyMum’s.Â
As you can see the isn’t a lot left in my Friday fridge. I have a plan for the carrots, reader WilliamB kindly suggested some carrot based muffins to make me run faster 🙂 so some will be used for those, and the rest once again will be slow-cooked to stock up my freezer with soup for lunches next week.
Originally my dinner party menu consisted of slow-cooked spicy butternut squash soup to start, but after doing an inventory of my Fridge last night I realised there was some broccoli lurking. So I text out and asked if anyone minded a change to Broccoli and Cheese Soup – all happy with that! Once you get in the NWTG habit, it’s hard to break EVEN for a dinner party!
This morning I’ve completed my grocery shop for the next 6 days plus the food for this evening. This was my second trip to Aldi. I had 2 lists. List number 1 for the family groceries and a target of £50. I’d done well on my first ever trip to Aldi last Friday and came in at £41.11. I knew there was extra meat to be purchased this week so wasn’t sure how much under (if anything) I’d come under budget. Wait for it – £37.26. Seriously I nearly fainted! I hadn’t popped any wine in the trolley just in case, but once I’d loaded up the car I went back round for my dinner party ingredients and some alcohol. 3 bottles of wine came to £10.27. This gave me a total spend of £47.53.
On my second trip round I also got the food for the dinner party. I’ll talk more about this next Monday, as I’m keen to do a cost comparison with the other grocery retailers.
The menu this evening is (now :-))
Pre-dinner – Nibbles!
Starter – Slow-cooked broccoli and cheese soup with home-made croutons and bread rolls
Main – Chicken stuffed with cream cheese and fresh basil wrapped in parma ham. Served with garlic and herb mini roast potatoes, carrot batons and green beans.
Dessert – My own take on Eton Mess. No fruit in this one! Home-made brown meringue, with whipped double cream, fudge, honeycomb and syrup
Better get on with that soup and start prepping the pots and veg!
How’s your Friday Fridge looking? Any plans for this evening?
As usual No Waste Tastes Great is bought to you with thanks to The Frugal Girl and the original Food Waste Friday.
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Just to say I’ve updated Facebook with a few photos from yesterday!
Mmmmmmmmmmmmm, Love, love, love the sound of the main and desert, infact, i’m virtually smelling it all!!!
Jo what is the villiage bakery bread like? I always buy the roberts bread as it is lovely and fresh, is it okay for making sandwiches with? My lot are really fussy and will only eat it if it’s really fresh.
My Aldi shop came too £68 but £15 of that was Christmas alcohol (although i doubt it it will make it too christmas 🙂 ) Hubs was on a day off so he came with me, his words of wisdom for the day were ‘ If we had of gone to asda or tescos that lot would have been at least £100’ and he was spot on. The ballycastle is just bailys, smells the same, tastes the same looks the same but at half the price how could you not!!
Just latley, one of my close friends was an utter supermarket snob at her own admission, she tried Aldi and definetly agrees that their quality as spot on, espcially the meat. I think the problem with Aldi is that too many people think it’s like Netto, did you ever have one of them near you? I didn’t rate it at all and their quality was shocking.
Just read my post back, sorry for the randomness!!
Enjoy your dinner party, i wait with anticipation to hear what everyone thought of it!!
Sharron x
I haven’t tried the Village bread yet. We don’t use sliced bread for sandwiches really as the Kids have a hot lunch and the Hubby tends to take leftovers or soup to reheat. I like Roberts bread I’d say probably the best out of all sliced I’ve tried. The own-brand bread in most supermarkets isn’t great (IMO). The village has gone straight in the freezer for toast – so not sure what it’s like yet, and of course toasting bread is very forgiving – so probably won’t pick up on any major flaws if there are any!
The buying alcohol in advance isn’t really working out here…I’ve been sampling. Sames goes for the chocolates I purchased in advance – that’s why you should only buy for the next 7 days! 🙂
I’ve never shopped in a Netto so I’ll take your word for it! Not sure where the nearest one would be – haven’t they got a slighlty odd brand logo? Actually just Googled it – Asda have taken them over, that would explain why I thought there was one in the town but it’s an Asda now.
The party went well, I did overcook the chicken a little but everyone was incredibly polite and said not – but I did.
I’ve put a couple of photos on Facebook – and may add a few more later!
Mmmmmmmmmmmmm, Love, love, love the sound of the main and desert, infact, i’m virtually smelling it all!!!
Jo what is the villiage bakery bread like? I always buy the roberts bread as it is lovely and fresh, is it okay for making sandwiches with? My lot are really fussy and will only eat it if it’s really fresh.
My Aldi shop came too £68 but £15 of that was Christmas alcohol (although i doubt it it will make it too christmas 🙂 ) Hubs was on a day off so he came with me, his words of wisdom for the day were ‘ If we had of gone to asda or tescos that lot would have been at least £100’ and he was spot on. The ballycastle is just bailys, smells the same, tastes the same looks the same but at half the price how could you not!!
Just latley, one of my close friends was an utter supermarket snob at her own admission, she tried Aldi and definetly agrees that their quality as spot on, espcially the meat. I think the problem with Aldi is that too many people think it’s like Netto, did you ever have one of them near you? I didn’t rate it at all and their quality was shocking.
Just read my post back, sorry for the randomness!!
Enjoy your dinner party, i wait with anticipation to hear what everyone thought of it!!
Sharron x
I haven’t tried the Village bread yet. We don’t use sliced bread for sandwiches really as the Kids have a hot lunch and the Hubby tends to take leftovers or soup to reheat. I like Roberts bread I’d say probably the best out of all sliced I’ve tried. The own-brand bread in most supermarkets isn’t great (IMO). The village has gone straight in the freezer for toast – so not sure what it’s like yet, and of course toasting bread is very forgiving – so probably won’t pick up on any major flaws if there are any!
The buying alcohol in advance isn’t really working out here…I’ve been sampling. Sames goes for the chocolates I purchased in advance – that’s why you should only buy for the next 7 days! 🙂
I’ve never shopped in a Netto so I’ll take your word for it! Not sure where the nearest one would be – haven’t they got a slighlty odd brand logo? Actually just Googled it – Asda have taken them over, that would explain why I thought there was one in the town but it’s an Asda now.
The party went well, I did overcook the chicken a little but everyone was incredibly polite and said not – but I did.
I’ve put a couple of photos on Facebook – and may add a few more later!
Mmmmmmmmmmmmm, Love, love, love the sound of the main and desert, infact, i’m virtually smelling it all!!!
Jo what is the villiage bakery bread like? I always buy the roberts bread as it is lovely and fresh, is it okay for making sandwiches with? My lot are really fussy and will only eat it if it’s really fresh.
My Aldi shop came too £68 but £15 of that was Christmas alcohol (although i doubt it it will make it too christmas 🙂 ) Hubs was on a day off so he came with me, his words of wisdom for the day were ‘ If we had of gone to asda or tescos that lot would have been at least £100’ and he was spot on. The ballycastle is just bailys, smells the same, tastes the same looks the same but at half the price how could you not!!
Just latley, one of my close friends was an utter supermarket snob at her own admission, she tried Aldi and definetly agrees that their quality as spot on, espcially the meat. I think the problem with Aldi is that too many people think it’s like Netto, did you ever have one of them near you? I didn’t rate it at all and their quality was shocking.
Just read my post back, sorry for the randomness!!
Enjoy your dinner party, i wait with anticipation to hear what everyone thought of it!!
Sharron x
I haven’t tried the Village bread yet. We don’t use sliced bread for sandwiches really as the Kids have a hot lunch and the Hubby tends to take leftovers or soup to reheat. I like Roberts bread I’d say probably the best out of all sliced I’ve tried. The own-brand bread in most supermarkets isn’t great (IMO). The village has gone straight in the freezer for toast – so not sure what it’s like yet, and of course toasting bread is very forgiving – so probably won’t pick up on any major flaws if there are any!
The buying alcohol in advance isn’t really working out here…I’ve been sampling. Sames goes for the chocolates I purchased in advance – that’s why you should only buy for the next 7 days! 🙂
I’ve never shopped in a Netto so I’ll take your word for it! Not sure where the nearest one would be – haven’t they got a slighlty odd brand logo? Actually just Googled it – Asda have taken them over, that would explain why I thought there was one in the town but it’s an Asda now.
The party went well, I did overcook the chicken a little but everyone was incredibly polite and said not – but I did.
I’ve put a couple of photos on Facebook – and may add a few more later!
The chicken stuffed with cream cheese sounds very good. How do you make it?
It’s very simple and very tasty – but beware! Don’t do as I do and overcook it…
Basically take a plump Chicken breast (I use free-range). Slice a pocket in the thickest section about 3 inches long and quite deep. Fill pocket with soft cream cheese and fresh basil (to taste). Seal pocket the best you can. Then you normally need 2 slices of parma ham per breast. Wrap it round securely. Cook in a medium oven (it’d be about 170 degrees celsius in UK) for 20-25 minutes.
I’m making it w/c18 Dec, so if I can I’ll photo or video and put up on Facebook for you…
Thanks. I think I’ll give it a try.
The chicken stuffed with cream cheese sounds very good. How do you make it?
It’s very simple and very tasty – but beware! Don’t do as I do and overcook it…
Basically take a plump Chicken breast (I use free-range). Slice a pocket in the thickest section about 3 inches long and quite deep. Fill pocket with soft cream cheese and fresh basil (to taste). Seal pocket the best you can. Then you normally need 2 slices of parma ham per breast. Wrap it round securely. Cook in a medium oven (it’d be about 170 degrees celsius in UK) for 20-25 minutes.
I’m making it w/c18 Dec, so if I can I’ll photo or video and put up on Facebook for you…
Thanks. I think I’ll give it a try.
The chicken stuffed with cream cheese sounds very good. How do you make it?
It’s very simple and very tasty – but beware! Don’t do as I do and overcook it…
Basically take a plump Chicken breast (I use free-range). Slice a pocket in the thickest section about 3 inches long and quite deep. Fill pocket with soft cream cheese and fresh basil (to taste). Seal pocket the best you can. Then you normally need 2 slices of parma ham per breast. Wrap it round securely. Cook in a medium oven (it’d be about 170 degrees celsius in UK) for 20-25 minutes.
I’m making it w/c18 Dec, so if I can I’ll photo or video and put up on Facebook for you…
Thanks. I think I’ll give it a try.
I’m SO glad to see that I’m not the only one with a bare looking fridge 🙂 Have a great night–the dinner sounds amazing!
I love an empty fridge! makes me feel all in control 🙂
I’m SO glad to see that I’m not the only one with a bare looking fridge 🙂 Have a great night–the dinner sounds amazing!
I love an empty fridge! makes me feel all in control 🙂
I’m SO glad to see that I’m not the only one with a bare looking fridge 🙂 Have a great night–the dinner sounds amazing!
I love an empty fridge! makes me feel all in control 🙂
Wow, that sounds like a fabulous dinner party!
I have to say, every time I read your blog I can imagine you talking in a delightful accent- love it. 🙂
Oh Becca I hope you won’t be disappointed when/if I do a Vlog at some point 🙂
(I’m thinking you may… :-))
Wow, that sounds like a fabulous dinner party!
I have to say, every time I read your blog I can imagine you talking in a delightful accent- love it. 🙂
Oh Becca I hope you won’t be disappointed when/if I do a Vlog at some point 🙂
(I’m thinking you may… :-))
Wow, that sounds like a fabulous dinner party!
I have to say, every time I read your blog I can imagine you talking in a delightful accent- love it. 🙂
Oh Becca I hope you won’t be disappointed when/if I do a Vlog at some point 🙂
(I’m thinking you may… :-))
Just to let you know, in Thursdays Daily mirror (about 60p?) there is a £5 off a £30 spend @ Aldi, just come across it on hotukdeals!! Thought i would share!
Sharron x
Thanks for that Sharron! I’ll definitely grab a paper for that saving…
Just to let you know, in Thursdays Daily mirror (about 60p?) there is a £5 off a £30 spend @ Aldi, just come across it on hotukdeals!! Thought i would share!
Sharron x
Thanks for that Sharron! I’ll definitely grab a paper for that saving…
Just to let you know, in Thursdays Daily mirror (about 60p?) there is a £5 off a £30 spend @ Aldi, just come across it on hotukdeals!! Thought i would share!
Sharron x
Thanks for that Sharron! I’ll definitely grab a paper for that saving…
I’m late replying this week, hope you enjoyed the party. Sounded like it was yummy!
My leftover buttercream from last week did make it into a victoria sponge and hubby declared it the best ever. Much nicer than using fresh cream.
I spotted the fudge, have you tried making your own? I just did for the first time and hubby’s reaction when he sampled a bit today was “oh, we are so making this again” – lol! Was fairly simple and I costed it at about a quid for a tray which cut up into about 30 little squares. Plus the trimmings to make the edges neater. Cook’s treat!
I’ve already shopped for the week, but my fridge was fairly bare last night. The main things that need to be used up are some chutney (locally made, bought at the market last week) and cheese, also from the market. So that will be lunch tomorrow with some home bake rolls that are stashed in the freezer, yum. Served with apples, of course. Apples, apples everywhere! 😉
Funny you should mention fudge! I made everything for the dinner party (excluding the bread rolls – which should have been handmade but I ran out of time so used some emergency part-baked petit pain). However the fudge I bought from Aldi. As the desserts were handed round, one girlfriend asked ‘Did you make the fudge?’. Gutted! Reckon I’d better give it a go!
Sounds like your fridge is sorted as usual! Go Lauren! 🙂
I’m late replying this week, hope you enjoyed the party. Sounded like it was yummy!
My leftover buttercream from last week did make it into a victoria sponge and hubby declared it the best ever. Much nicer than using fresh cream.
I spotted the fudge, have you tried making your own? I just did for the first time and hubby’s reaction when he sampled a bit today was “oh, we are so making this again” – lol! Was fairly simple and I costed it at about a quid for a tray which cut up into about 30 little squares. Plus the trimmings to make the edges neater. Cook’s treat!
I’ve already shopped for the week, but my fridge was fairly bare last night. The main things that need to be used up are some chutney (locally made, bought at the market last week) and cheese, also from the market. So that will be lunch tomorrow with some home bake rolls that are stashed in the freezer, yum. Served with apples, of course. Apples, apples everywhere! 😉
Funny you should mention fudge! I made everything for the dinner party (excluding the bread rolls – which should have been handmade but I ran out of time so used some emergency part-baked petit pain). However the fudge I bought from Aldi. As the desserts were handed round, one girlfriend asked ‘Did you make the fudge?’. Gutted! Reckon I’d better give it a go!
Sounds like your fridge is sorted as usual! Go Lauren! 🙂
I’m late replying this week, hope you enjoyed the party. Sounded like it was yummy!
My leftover buttercream from last week did make it into a victoria sponge and hubby declared it the best ever. Much nicer than using fresh cream.
I spotted the fudge, have you tried making your own? I just did for the first time and hubby’s reaction when he sampled a bit today was “oh, we are so making this again” – lol! Was fairly simple and I costed it at about a quid for a tray which cut up into about 30 little squares. Plus the trimmings to make the edges neater. Cook’s treat!
I’ve already shopped for the week, but my fridge was fairly bare last night. The main things that need to be used up are some chutney (locally made, bought at the market last week) and cheese, also from the market. So that will be lunch tomorrow with some home bake rolls that are stashed in the freezer, yum. Served with apples, of course. Apples, apples everywhere! 😉
Funny you should mention fudge! I made everything for the dinner party (excluding the bread rolls – which should have been handmade but I ran out of time so used some emergency part-baked petit pain). However the fudge I bought from Aldi. As the desserts were handed round, one girlfriend asked ‘Did you make the fudge?’. Gutted! Reckon I’d better give it a go!
Sounds like your fridge is sorted as usual! Go Lauren! 🙂