living off £17 a week and NOT dying?

Original post by GoingToBurst

Breakfast
. A good tip for buying bread is to freeze it in sandwich bags, 2 slices per bag. This means that you don't have to eat a whole loaf of bread yourself within the space of a couple of days, and the leftovers won't go off.

Hey this sounds really stupid but when you defrost bread doesn't it go really soggy? Also to defrost it do you have to put it in the toaster or microwave or does that make it go to toast? I haven't really got the hang of cooking yet so I'm probably gonna die when I go to uni :smile:

thanks x

Reply 84

GoingToBurst

Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post by abc_123_

Hey this sounds really stupid but when you defrost bread doesn't it go really soggy? Also to defrost it do you have to put it in the toaster or microwave or does that make it go to toast? I haven't really got the hang of cooking yet so I'm probably gonna die when I go to uni :smile:

thanks x

I've never had soggy bread from defrosting it. If you wrap the bread in cling film and then seal it in a bag (squeeze air out of the bag) then you should be fine. I just leave it on the kitchen counter on top of a towel overnight to defrost :smile:

.

Reply 85

Dannyboy2015

13

You can defrost bread by taking it out of the freezer and putting it on the side.

Reply 86

PQ

21

It's been recommended already but https://cookingonabootstrap.com/category/recipes-food/ is a good thing to read. TINS are your friend!

For cooking and freezing then anything cheesey (lasagne/pasta bake/shepherds/cottage pie/fish pie) these things are great: http://www.lakeland.co.uk/13249/Traditional-Enamel-16cm-Oblong-Pie-Dish (and very cheap - and even cheaper at the moment) get 5-10 so you can get through a couple of weeks. Tinfoil is better than clingfilm for storing things in the freezer IME.

For anything that you'd reheat in the microwave (spag bol, fried rice (make sure you cool the rice quickly before freezing) etc) then these are great: http://www.sainsburys.co.uk/shop/gb/groceries/foil-food-bags-storage/sainsburys-plastic-containers-x8 they don't last too well when frozen so I'd double up and get 16.

For a free decent meal watch out for the Christian Union at your university - they'll usually have a weekly free meal of some sort available (bbq/soup and a roll etc).

Pick up sauce sachets when you can (and salt/pepper/sugar)...save your cash for a jar of piri piri/worcestershire sauce or similar that will help liven up other recipes. The same for napkins (save your kitchen roll money to spend on cleaning products)

Learn to bake lovely stuff and sell muffins/cupcakes/traybakes (traybakes would be the cheapest in terms of costs for equipment) to your flatmates/friends. You'll get something sweet which will liven up your diet and your friends wont object to 50p for a cake. You'll either make a profit or cover your costs.

If you get good then offer to cook for your friends.

Reply 87

GoingToBurst

Following my initial post, I have received numerous PMs from people asking for recipes so I just wanted to let people know that I'm compiling a list of easy, cost effective recipes to share with you all. It won't be posted until after I've finished work, but just a heads up that it's coming.

Reply 88

Original post by abc_123_

Hey this sounds really stupid but when you defrost bread doesn't it go really soggy? Also to defrost it do you have to put it in the toaster or microwave or does that make it go to toast? I haven't really got the hang of cooking yet so I'm probably gonna die when I go to uni :smile:

thanks x

No, it does not go soggy. I do it all the time. Just Before the sell by date on the bread you put it in the freezer then only take out the amount your going to eat so i only take 1 or 2 out to defrost. I just put it on a plate or sometimes cover it with another plate and leave it til it's defrosted or if i can't be bothered to wait and want to eat it straightaway i just take it out of freezer and put it in microwave for 2 minutes or oven for a few minutes if i'm making a sandwhich or if i want toast just put straight in the toaster or oven. You don't need to defrost first for making toast.
And can't be bothered to wait for cheese on toast so i just put the defrosted bread and cheese on top then put in microwave for 10 minutes and it tastes just as good.
I don't like normal burgers unless it's from mcdonalds or burger king so in Iceland the normal burgers taste awful but their hot & spicy jalapeno beefburgers taste really good, i also buy their frozen burger buns too so if i can't be bothered to wait to defrost the buns i just put them in the microwave for 5 or 10 minutes and it's not soggy.
You can also buy bag of frozen onions and frozen mixed peppers in Iceland as this comes in handy if you run out of fresh onions and saves the pain of cutting them up

Reply 89

Original post by Judge Judy

You can also buy bag of frozen onions and frozen mixed peppers in Iceland as this comes in handy if you run out of fresh onions and saves the pain of cutting them up

thanks

x how do you know when the bread is defrosted and also are frozen veggies less healthy than normal ones? Xx

Reply 90

Original post by abc_123_

thanks

x how do you know when the bread is defrosted and also are frozen veggies less healthy than normal ones? Xx

You wait 10 or 20 minutes then it should be defrosted by then or after waiting that amount of time just touch or press it with your finger to see if it's soft.
I don't know if frozen veggies are less healthy but i don't think it matters as long as you are eating them. You can buy fresh and frozen but if you are short of money and can't afford fresh then frozen veg is good because it willl ast longer in the freezer or you can buy fresh veg in the market and put them in the freezer so they last long.

I hardly ever buy fresh veg even though i love them. I can't always afford it or if i can afford them i choose to treat myself to my favourite wine Lumbrusco not Lambrini which i hate or i waste money on other things like chocolates, crisps, biscuits, cakes, etc instead of buying fresh veg but i make up for it by at least just buying frozen veg like peas, sweetcorn, carrots, etc from Iceland because they are only £1 but in Sainsburys and other supermarkets they are £1 50 but Aldi , Lidl sell them for 89p or £1
If i did not buy frozen veg i would never make the effort to eat veg very often
I also buy a bag of frozen french fries in Iceland. I forgot to mention that in my other reply.
Also always look in the pound shops once a week or once a month because they sometimes sell recipe books

Reply 91

Original post by Judge Judy

You wait 10 or 20 minutes then it should be defrosted by then or after waiting that amount of time just touch or press it with your finger to see if it's soft.
I don't know if frozen veggies are less healthy but i don't think it matters as long as you are eating them. You can buy fresh and frozen but if you are short of money and can't afford fresh then frozen veg is good because it willl ast longer in the freezer or you can buy fresh veg in the market and put them in the freezer so they last long.

I hardly ever buy fresh veg even though i love them. I can't always afford it or if i can afford them i choose to treat myself to my favourite wine Lumbrusco not Lambrini which i hate or i waste money on other things like chocolates, crisps, biscuits, cakes, etc instead of buying fresh veg but i make up for it by at least just buying frozen veg like peas, sweetcorn, carrots, etc from Iceland because they are only £1 but in Sainsburys and other supermarkets they are £1 50 but Aldi , Lidl sell them for 89p or £1
If i did not buy frozen veg i would never make the effort to eat veg very often
I also buy a bag of frozen french fries in Iceland. I forgot to mention that in my other reply.
Also always look in the pound shops once a week or once a month because they sometimes sell recipe books

Are you a vegetarian or do you eat meat? If you do eat meat is it expensive and can you buy it frozen so it doesn't look weird and slimy? Xx :smile:

Reply 92

Original post by abc_123_

Are you a vegetarian or do you eat meat? If you do eat meat is it expensive and can you buy it frozen so it doesn't look weird and slimy? Xx :smile:

You can buy frozen meat, chicken and it's not expensive. It depends what your buying and how many portions there are. Just look at the different types in different supermarkets to compare the price.
I eat meat and i prefer buying frozen chicken fillets but only because you get more in them than fresh chicken fillets. I prefer mini fillets but in Aldi it does not say it's mini one's but i still buy them because they are cheaper at £3 33. But if i do buy fresh meat, chicken i freeze them so it does not go off and to thaw them out quicker i put them in a pan of cold water for 20 or 30 minutes
I don't like touching meat, chicken so i use a fork to hold it down while cutting it into small pieces by doing it that way it saves me having to wash my hands so often as touching it is messy.

Reply 93

Original post by GoingToBurst

Following my initial post, I have received numerous PMs from people asking for recipes so I just wanted to let people know that I'm compiling a list of easy, cost effective recipes to share with you all. It won't be posted until after I've finished work, but just a heads up that it's coming.

That's really nice of you and after posting it on here you should consider writing your own little simple recipe cook book and sell it for students or anyone who is not great at cooking and you can make up some of your own recipes to fill the book out. Lots of people do it. And anyone can write a cook book.
You can call yours A Students guide to survival cook book or A Students guide to Avoiding Starvation or a funny and better title than that
I don't really like cooking so i just use salt and pepper on most things and i don't use other spices a lot but i don't need to because salt and pepper is enough and it still tastes good. Years ago i made my mum a roast chicken and all i did was rub salt and pepper on it and she asked me what spices i used because she said it was lovely so she was surprised i did not coat it in lots of different spices like she always does. So when i have looked at other cook books there's too much ingredients to add so i don't bother. I'm sure lots of people are like that so with your simple recipes maybe it could make you lots of money.

A couple of months ago I was walking down the street and a woman asked me if i like cooking i said no so she told me about a cook book she wrote with simple recipes. She showed me it and said it was £10, I would have bought it but i had no spare money then but she told me her book is also on sale in the petrol station that was just in front of us. I said i would buy it in there next time i have money but i completely forgot until now.

I think you can look up publishing your own books on google
I'm not sure but maybe if you type Publishing companies then a list might come up

Reply 94

GoingToBurst

Original post by Judge Judy

That's really nice of you and after posting it on here you should consider writing your own little simple recipe cook book and sell it for students or anyone who is not great at cooking and you can make up some of your own recipes to fill the book out. Lots of people do it. And anyone can write a cook book.
You can call yours A Students guide to survival cook book or A Students guide to Avoiding Starvation or a funny and better title than that
I don't really like cooking so i just use salt and pepper on most things and i don't use other spices a lot but i don't need to because salt and pepper is enough and it still tastes good. Years ago i made my mum a roast chicken and all i did was rub salt and pepper on it and she asked me what spices i used because she said it was lovely so she was surprised i did not coat it in lots of different spices like she always does. So when i have looked at other cook books there's too much ingredients to add so i don't bother. I'm sure lots of people are like that so with your simple recipes maybe it could make you lots of money.

A couple of months ago I was walking down the street and a woman asked me if i like cooking i said no so she told me about a cook book she wrote with simple recipes. She showed me it and said it was £10, I would have bought it but i had no spare money then but she told me her book is also on sale in the petrol station that was just in front of us. I said i would buy it in there next time i have money but i completely forgot until now.

I think you can look up publishing your own books on google
I'm not sure but maybe if you type Publishing companies then a list might come up

Thanks for the advice :smile:

, I'm already writing a book for students that will have a recipe section anyway though. (update on these recipes, they'll be posted here later tomorrow as I ended up having unexpected work crop up)

Reply 95

Original post by abc_123_

Are you a vegetarian or do you eat meat? If you do eat meat is it expensive and can you buy it frozen so it doesn't look weird and slimy? Xx :smile:

Sometimes I learn lots of cooking tips from my friend. I would never have bought chicken fillets before until he told me it's better to buy them in supermarkets because they are fresh but butchers chicken are stale. Also he buys whole green chillies in the market because they sell a lot in a bag for only £1 but in supermarkets they sell half the amount and they are more expensive. He also puts the chillies in freezer and you don't have to thaw them out you can just cut them in half still frozen as they do not go hard in the freezer. But you must take all the seeds out of the chilli and throw them away or it will burn your mouth and always wash your hands straight after touching chillies because if you rubbed your eyes or anything else it will burn. And you only need to use one chilli.

Also i just cut chicken fillets into pieces and fry them in oil in a frying pan, you know when the chicken is cooked when it turns brown, then i put salt and pepper, throw in frozen veg like peas, sweetcorn, or sometimes i add cauliflour, brocolli aswell and fry those in same pan as the chicken. It makes a nice meal then you add it with rice or patatoes or sometimes i just eat it without anything else because there is quite a lot of it when all theveg is added. So i don't always boil veg i just fry it while it's frozen, it does not need thawing out first. Or sometimes i add onions, chilli and 2 cans of tomatoes or herb tomatoes as sometimes one can is not enough or if you only use one can of tomatoes you add water to it.
Or You can add 1 oxo cube too without the can of tomatoes to make a light gravy.
In any supermarket You can buy can of tomatoes with herbs in them or they sell tomatoes in a box instead of cans sometimes.
Or if anyone is vegetarian replace chicken or meat with patatoes or fresh cauliflower
If adding patatoes you peel them then boil in a pan for 5 or 10 minutes first then take them out of the water then add them to the frying pan with the veg
Sometimes i fry the frozen peas and sweetcorn in a pan in oil then put 4 eggs in to make scrambled eggs and this is really filling with frozen veg or i pour 4 eggs in a cup and add frozen peas and sweetcorn and mix them all in a cup then pour into the pan to make an omelette.

Or even better thing to do is just buy a slow cooker where you can just put raw meat or chicken in it and add veg, patatoes, spices and it will cook everything for you. It will even cook stuff from frozen. Or a whole chicken depending on how big the slow cooker is but they do cost a lot. I think some are £45 or £79. You can get cheap ones in Wilkinson, Asda, Sainsburys, Homebargains but B&M do the cheapest ones. I'm going to get one because it means i don't have to waste time cooking because the slow cooker does all the hard work. You should try to get one too or anybody reading this thread.
I saw a new modern slow cooker advertised on tv that i really want to get but i forgot what it's called, if i remember i will let you know.

Reply 96

Original post by Judge Judy

you don't have to thaw them first.

You should try to get a slow cooker
.

I'm probably gonna borrow my mum's slow cooker she has a few :smile:

x
What is thawing? Xx

Reply 97

RobML

6

Have you tried applying for a hardship loan lol?

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 98