Money saving ideas

[DaisyMae]

My first idea is about buying meat.
I always buy meat when it is on offer and freeze what I do not use. Over the last couple of years the supermarkets have been doing some really good offers on roasting joints especially pork and beef. You can get pork for around £2.50 per kilo for leg and £4.50 per kilo for beef which is approx half the normal prices.

With the beef I buy the biggest joint I can afford and cut them into varios sizes for the freezer. Small roasting size usually then I can defrost and use as I wish
I usually do the following if buying top rump, I will cut two steaks and two roasting joints.
I mince my own meat I know exactly what is in it and absolutely no fat! Believe it or not to do this actually cheaper than to buy lean mince from the supermarkets and as already stated you know exactly what is in it!
I cut some into cubes for stews and also into very small dice for pasties. This is also cheaper per kg than buying ready cut stewing beef and you also have a far better quality of meat.

[DaisyMae]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keyw ... zrmueh5z_b

The Severin Yoghurt Maker
I cannot praise it highly enough. It is so simple to use, you need
one small pot of live yoghurt
one litre UHT milk (Using UHT means you do not have to preheat)
60g skimmed milk powder

Mix it all together and add to the jars. Switch on and 'cook' for 7 hours
Hey presto, probably the best yoghurt you ever tasted
It has no additives etc just pure creamy goodness and good protein content.

I serve with either a little honey or some fruit but it is delish on it's own
It is also scrummy with the trifle recipe. (see recipe thread)

My hubby loves it and he does not like 'normal' yoghurts and my grandson cannot get enough.
Well worth the money. (They bought me the one with the extra pots for my birthday)

The starter yoghurt can come from your own batch but after about 5 goes you will need a new starter

And just to add, it works out about 15p for a 175g pot

[DaisyMae]

When buying balsamic vinegar always buy the best you can afford is the advice given. If you find this is still a little bitter, next time just buy the cheapest!
If you add splenda to it and mix in you can sweeten to taste and you will wonder why you ever paid so much for it in the past!
It is wonderful as a salad dressing.
Mix the cheapest balsamic with the cheapest mint sauce you can buy (17p in asda), add some honey and you have a delicious sauce for Lamb either for using with roast or dipping for BBQ