Lasagne for Lunch maybe?

29^th January 2014

Everything in your life is a reflection of a choice you have made; if you want a different result - make a different choice.

174lb lost yesterday in my meetings, not a bad Tuesday I think, and we did have a giggle last night, I’m lucky that I really enjoy my work, it really is a pleasure to go every week.

I also managed to make those breakfast bars I blogged yesterday, left out the sweetener because I didn’t have any and they still tasted ok and I made time to cook a chicken dinner for lunch with the leftover chicken from the weekend, I used tinned veggies too, the whole thing was only 8pp, what a bargain.  I didn’t bother with a proper tea, just grabbed a bit of ham and cottage cheese, then had a bit of lemon quark, I wasn’t hungry because I’d eaten too many of those breakfast bars, I won’t make them again – can’t just have one when they’re sitting on the side in the kitchen, there’s a lot to be said for not having it in the house isn’t there!  This is when you wished there was more than 2 people in the house, because then you’d have more to share your baking with!

I’m cold this morning, just clicked the heating on, I read my own meter and when I sent the reading in yesterday it told me I’d used £100 of gas since January 1^st – ouch, not cheap is it, plus £25 electricity, that’s a big chunk of wages gone before you even think about anything else.  This is why I’m being more frugal with my food shopping; everything is rising rapidly in price but not our wages, so I’m making a conscious effort to shop wiser.  I have to say though I caught an advert of the tv the other night and some woman was using her leftover chicken to make 3 more evening meals, I cooked a chicken Monday we had some for lunch, a bit on a sandwich on the night and just about got lunch out of it yesterday, so her chicken must have been a big one to feed a family three times.

I nipped to Poundstretcher yesterday and bought a few things from there that are cheaper than the supermarket I think, yeah just looking, Yorkshire Teabags, I paid £2.29 for 160 and they’re twice that price in supermarket, also got 24 beef oxo for £1.69, so saved 31p on those (it all adds up!)  really pays to shop around if you can, especially if you can control yourself enough to go in and only buy the bargains, I noticed Shredded Wheat were half price in the Tesco garage yesterday which is great if that’s all you buy and you don’t get sucked into buying something ‘nice’ whilst you’re there!  I really wish there was a Pound Shop out of the town centre because it’s just too much hassle parking in the town and you have to pay to park.

We’re saving a fortune not buying crisps, biscuits and cakes though which is great and mom’s health and my weight is thanking me for it too.  I’m still not as frugal as some of the ladies that commented on my facebook thread, £120 for a family of 9!  I’d like to see receipts and meal planners for some of these to get ideas I have to admit.

So if you have any cheap ideas, inbox me info@happyowls.co.uk and I can share with others, it might be a recipe or somewhere that you’ve seen good offers, anything really.

Talking of cheap ideas, one was posted on my facebook group the other day, mushy pea curry, my instant reaction was REALLY, however I’ve been assured it tastes good so here’s what you do, 1 tin mushy peas, 1 tin baked beans, 1 tin tomatoes, 2tlbs of curry power - blend and then had chicken or veggies, whatever your preference is.    I plan to try it today as curiosity has got the better of me!  Cost for the sauce would be about £1.50 and should serve a few portions I think, it'll also freeze well.

One of my favourite cheap eats which I haven’t had for a long time so might be making soon is

Roast Butternut Squash & Gammon Lasagne

Serves 6 at 12pp each or 8 at 9pp each

1 x butternut squash, halved and seeded

1 teaspoon vegetable oil (1pp)

50g low fat spread (5pp)

2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic

4 tablespoons plain flour (8pp)

1 litre milk (9pp)

Salt and ground black pepper to taste

11 lasagne sheets (21pp) use wholemeal for F&H meal

80g grated cheese (9pp)

Grated nutmeg

3 large onions, halved and thinly sliced

1 ½ tbsp olive oil (6pp)

300g lean gammon (11pp)

2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes in rich juice

20 basil leaves, roughly torn, (optional)

Preheat an oven to 230 C / Gas 8. Grease a baking tray.

Brush the butternut squash halves with vegetable oil.  Roast in the preheated oven until golden and easily pierced with a knife, 45 to 50 minutes. Allow to cool for 15 to 20 minutes, and then scoop the flesh into a bowl. Set aside.

Fry the onions in the oil for about 15 mins until golden. Add the gammon and fry for 5 mins more, stirring frequently. Tip in the tomatoes, bubble uncovered for 5 mins. Remove from the heat and stir in the basil. 

Heat the low fat spread in a large frying pan over medium-low heat. Cook and stir garlic in until softened. Stir in flour and cook for 3 minutes. Whisk in the milk until smooth. Bring to a simmer and cook until thick, about 10 minutes, whisking occasionally. Stir in the butternut squash and season with salt and pepper and add some grated nutmeg. 

Reduce oven temperature to 190 C / Gas 5. Grease a suitable sized baking dish to cook a lasagne (3 sheets wide).

Layer half tomato sauce, then a third butternut squash sauce then a third of lasagne sheets, repeat again, then pour remaining butternut squash sauce on top and grate cheese on top of that, grate some nutmeg on top.

Cover baking dish tightly with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking until the top is bubbly and golden brown, about 10 minutes. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Ooo yeah I can taste that now, I have everything except gammon might buy some this morning and give that a go, I could use bacon pieces if I have them in freezer. 

Right I better get going, work to do, food to cook, places to be and all that!

Catch ya tomorrow, don’t forget to EatGorgeous even if you’re budgeting.

BeYOUtiful & have a great day. xx