What we're Eating this week



Linking in with being conscious of what we are spending I've gone back to making a menu plan for the week to use up what we have in the freezer as well as the £82 shop!

 

Tonight we had chicken curry.  I normally make my own but had bought a jar of dopiaza

from Aldi as I've not tried that curry before.  It was too sweet for me.  I added some spices and a bit of cream to get it more to my taste.  I wouldn't buy it again.



 

 

The rest of the week is looking like this:

Tuesday: Chicken casserole (already in the slow cooker)

Wednesday: Salmon Wellington, new potatoes and vegetables

Thursday: Pie, mash potatoes and vegetables/mushy peas

Friday: HM pizza, wedges and salad

The weekend will be something else from the cupboards/freezer but we haven't decided what yet.


I took our dog for a walk today.  We haven't been out in a while as both me and my hubby have had flu which has knocked us out and it is still lingering but it was a nice day so me and Layla wrapped up and headed out, although I'm not sure she likes her new coat!

Money Mondays

Yet again we've taken our eye off the ball a bit and not checked accounts/bill regularly.  While watching This Morning, Martin Lewis was on and mentioned about swapping bank accounts to get a better deal.  This bit wasn't really relevant for us but he said how much interest our bank is offering for new customers.  I knew were weren't getting anywhere near that (I don't like that companies offer deals to new customers only not to their loyal customers).  I went online and have applied to opened the higher interest account.  I've set up a standing order to save each month and will be using the money we have already saved.  The money is fixed for 1 year which is fine as we are saving for moving (hopefully).  I am going to ask my husband to open one too so we can save double the amount as it is limited to a certain amount each month.

Our rental property fix rate mortgage is up at the end of February and we have already started to look into getting a better deal.  We are also fortunate that we are aiming to pay a bit off it as well and probably change it to a repayment one rather than interest only as this will work better for us.

The next job on the list is for me to see about getting a better mobile deal and considering changing to a sim only deal as that has worked for my husband, although I do use my phone a lot more.

I've also done an inventory on our food stores and a shop.  I was surprised at how much I spent in Aldi - £82! when there is just to 2 of us.  But know everything will be eaten and used. 

Next month we are having some decorating done.  We made the decision to get someone in to do it all as we've been trying to find the motivation and time to do it.  I know financially it would be better for us to do but we have saved up and also know they will do a better job than us and as we are looking at renting our home out in 1 to 2 years so if we take care (which we will) it won't need doing again.

Other than meeting some new friends for a coffee this week we shouldn't have to spend anything.
 

Caesar Salad.

A friend challenged me to a cook off to make Caesar salad.  Not much of a challenge I thought and especially as they used a pre-made dressing!

 



Here are the ingredients .  I know cos lettuce is normally used but Aldi didn't have any.

 

The dressing was something I've not made before and looked at lots of recipes.  Some had pre-made mayo in but I chose to use egg yokes and olive oil for the creaminess.

 

I adapted what I found online and used the following.

 

4 anchovies

2 egg yokes

1 clove garlic - crushed

Lemon juice

Olive oil

Black pepper

Hard Italian cheese - grated

 

I bashed the anchovies in a pestle and mortar and added the garlic along with the egg yokes and cheese.  I then whisked in the olive oil and added lemon juice to taste.  As I don't have a blender the anchovies and garlic were still bitty in it so I decided to sieve it and then added a bit of water to get the right consistency.  Adding the water also make the sauce lighter in colour.  I then added a bit of black pepper.



 

 

The chicken breast I seasoned and cooked in a George Foreman grill.  I made the croutons by tearing bits of bread into small cubes and fried them.  I then put the frying pan under the grill to crisp up a bit. Added the lettuce, chicken and croutons together and drizzled over the sauce. A few shavings of cheese went over the top.

 

 

Verdict - The sauce was way too garlicky and I love garlic.  Once I'd sieved it, it tasted less "hot" but I've tried it again today and it's is still over powering.  Would I make the sauce again? Probably not but glad I gave it a go and didn't resort to using a bottle!