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A Visit to London's Borough Market
The grilled cheese man is still there - but in the green market rather than outside neals yard. Still smells lovely to walk past... I shop there every week for all my food too - we eat so well it's a never ending pleasure.
The shopping is also a pleasure - everyone is really helpful no matter what it is you want. Which is one of the multitude of ways it differs from the soulless joyless trudge of the supermarket. Although I have lots of favourites I still find new things to try as the market evolves. Just love it! http://practicallydaily.blogspot.com
A 'Burger Van' Hamburger Made of Quality Ingredients at Borough Market in London
Got to be said that the pork/stilton one is a better bet than the beef burger but then again, I'd say there are better things to buy from Borough. I love the place and shop there every week - even after 10 years I can still find new things to try. For more ideas http://practicallydaily.blogspot.com
Cooking from the Glossies: Green Lentil Salad with Hazelnut Vinaigrette
You are missing so much if you don't cook with lentils - they are fabulous things and, when not in use, sit quietly in the cupboard waiting for you to need them. Try cooking them like you but keep the bacon in the pan and then serve them hot in bowls topped with a poached egg for a really delicious and comforting supper. Or try this recipe for a warm spiced salad - truly yummy.
http://practicallydaily.blogspot.com/2008/07/lentil-salad.html
Enjoy!
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Recent Comments | Response to Comments
Eating Well and Cheaply: Any More Ideas Out There?
I spend more than the UK equivalent of $30 a week, but I make lunches for us to take to work most days and factor in the money that saves into my budget. I shop at Borough Market in London which has the most fantastic produce. It is a joy to eat with such ingredients. We do eat meat but often the cheaper cuts and not every day. Also get lots of rice, beans, lentils, noodles, spices and herbs from Asian and Middle Eastern stores - cheaper by far than a supermarket.
I write a blog about it - http://practicallydaily.blogspot.com - it's an interesting way of keeping track of what I spend and what we eat and see how the patterns emerge.
A Visit to London's Borough Market
The grilled cheese man is still there - but in the green market rather than outside neals yard. Still smells lovely to walk past... I shop there every week for all my food too - we eat so well it's a never ending pleasure.
The shopping is also a pleasure - everyone is really helpful no matter what it is you want. Which is one of the multitude of ways it differs from the soulless joyless trudge of the supermarket. Although I have lots of favourites I still find new things to try as the market evolves. Just love it! http://practicallydaily.blogspot.com
A 'Burger Van' Hamburger Made of Quality Ingredients at Borough Market in London
Got to be said that the pork/stilton one is a better bet than the beef burger but then again, I'd say there are better things to buy from Borough. I love the place and shop there every week - even after 10 years I can still find new things to try. For more ideas http://practicallydaily.blogspot.com
Cooking from the Glossies: Green Lentil Salad with Hazelnut Vinaigrette
You are missing so much if you don't cook with lentils - they are fabulous things and, when not in use, sit quietly in the cupboard waiting for you to need them. Try cooking them like you but keep the bacon in the pan and then serve them hot in bowls topped with a poached egg for a really delicious and comforting supper. Or try this recipe for a warm spiced salad - truly yummy.
http://practicallydaily.blogspot.com/2008/07/lentil-salad.html
Enjoy!
Need some Dill recipes
Make a quick and easy summer soup. Blend chopped cucumber, lemon juice, plain yoghurt and lots of fresh dill to green flecked smoothness. Check the seasoning, then leave in the fridge for half an hour or so.
Or try dill rice - http://practicallydaily.blogspot.com/2008/07/dill-rice.html - also quick easy and good.
What do you do with a bunch of bananas?
I like them unspotted and firm too - but can't bear to throw them away if they go past that point so make this fabulous banana and walnut cake - http://practicallydaily.blogspot.com/2006/08/banana-walnut-cake.html - but be warned - it makes a lot of washing up!
Bron
MASS quantities of mint...
Mint is fabulous in salads - go with classics like tabouli to use up lots or try this one with lentils for a really great salad for a summer evening - http://practicallydaily.blogspot.com/2008/07/lentil-salad.html
London Dispatch: Dodging Espresso Machines for the Filter Coffee at Monmouth Coffee Co.
Everything at Borough is good value - it's just not cheap. I love the place - shop there every week so every meal is a feast! http://practicallydaily.blogspot.com
Eating Well and Cheaply: Any More Ideas Out There?
I'm sorry, but i'm a few weeks away from being 80 years old and I'm not going to skimp on food. There are a few good things in life and one of them is fine food (another, wine -- another story) I really enjoy planning and cooking great meals, savoring every bite. Last night we had my son and his wife over for dinner so at eight in the morning I'm in the kitchen making a roux for gumbo. Most of the ingredients for seafood gumbo don't come cheap, but if you want it to taste good, use the best. Dave
Eating Well and Cheaply: Any More Ideas Out There?
We have been writing a recession/depression proof dinner series all week. It is all about eating well, organically, and as local/sustainable as possible for under $100 a week (we are in the Bay Area) and by shopping at Whole Foods. It is going so well, that we are going to try another week with a different twist!
Eating Well and Cheaply: Any More Ideas Out There?
@rockchick I was actually addressing the person above me with the only spending $30/week b/c they have a well stocked pantry.
Looking at the past few entries of your blog though you don't appear to include the food the people give you or you scavenge from your offices or the meals that you eat out whether you pay for them or someone else does. Or the stuff you appear to find deep in your freezer.
I'm all for stretching dollars and making sure that every bit is used up of produce or meat or whatever one eats. In fact I'm a big proponent of that. It's just in the grand scheme of things Americans already spend less on food than anyone else in the world. I don't like the idea that food is an evil necessity that we should spend as little on as possible. I'd rather we just return to whole foods (not the grocery store), maximize what we do buy and buy good food that's good for us.
Eating Well and Cheaply: Any More Ideas Out There?
I'm simply shopping less. I'm not really how much I'm saving, but I used to go to the store almost weekly. I'd decide I wanted to make a particular dish and then need some ingredient or other and a trip to the grocery store usually means spending $50 or more. So now I don't go more than twice a month unless just for one or two things. I manage to make meals out of what is in the house, which includes a freezer full of frozen vegetables from the garden. I'm trying to make more bean-based dishes, using dried beans instead of canned, too. Someone said rice and pasta are your friends - but the problem with relying too heavily on those foods is the emphasis on carbs at the expense of protein and veggies - so be careful with that!
Eating Well and Cheaply: Any More Ideas Out There?
@latenac - when I started the $30/week project we didn't stock up our pantry or anything. We just started it. I mean, our pantry wasn't barren or anything, but we didn't stock up on sugar, butter, flour, oils, etc. We use what we have. The start date of the project was 9/9/08 - http://thirtyaweek.wordpress.com/2008/09/09/hello-world/
We're still going strong.
As for shopping at ethnic markets, I'm all for it, but I find that sometimes the produce comes from sources that utilizes pesticides and are not local at all. Which is something that is hard. How do you balance the cost effectiveness of a Chinatown mango when you probably be eating mangoes in January anyways? Tough one.
Eating Well and Cheaply: Any More Ideas Out There?
Brooke29 has the greatest idea: I shop at hispanic markets and there are many of them here on California's central coast. Incredible produce & meat specials (at the ones I use). Also, and again, if you are lucky enough to live in an agricultural area, farm stands. There are many, many of them here also. I shopped two days ago at one of my favorite roadside farm stands and found bell peppers (red & yellow) at 3 for a buck, lettuce at 69 cents each (iceberg, leaf, romaine, red leaf, etc. - all 69 cents each). Even though it is January, they had hydroponic Roma tomatoes for 99 cents a pound. So much more "stuff" and all excellent fresh pesticide-free goodies.
Need some Dill recipes
For one of my vegetarian friends I found a recipe that combined leeks, cabbage and diced potatoes all of which were cooked in water (can use chicken stock with the right company) and then added a bunch of dill. Never thought the taste would be so good. Also added lots of butter. surrah@optonline.net
What do you do with a bunch of bananas?
has to be the old fashioned yet delicious banana pudding with nilla wafers.
What do you do with a bunch of bananas?
Date and banana cake, yummy.
What do you do with a bunch of bananas?
I just take ripened bananas, peel them and line them up onto trays for my food dehydrator. Two days later sweet, long lasting tasty treats are mine. Get a good price on the bananas by buying them in bulk at Costco or other clubs, although one bunch I bought never ripened. This is a great way to save a large amount of bananas before they go bad. Beware the temptation to eat more than one...that's still the same carb and calorie count as a fresh banana. I store them in baggies. MUCH cheaper than the version sold at Whoe Foods. For a little humor refer to them as "ex-boyfriends".
MASS quantities of mint...
I was going to suggest mojitos too or a watermelon mint feta salad but I see both have already been suggested so I've gotta come up with something better...
How about mint and ginger chicken?
A perfect mix to make your chicken even more delicious.
Ingredients
1-1/2 lbs. boneless chicken breast, cut in 1/2-inch cubes
2 Tbs. flour
2 Tbs. fish sauce
2 Tbs. dark soy sauce, divided
1 piece fresh ginger root, peeled, 1-1/2 in. long
2 chili peppers, chopped
1 Tbs. vinegar
1 Tbs. sugar
1 lime, peel grated, juiced
3 C. Nappa cabbage, chopped
4 green onions, chopped
1/4 C. mint, chopped fresh
Directions
Place chicken in medium bowl and sprinkle with flour, turning to coat. Add fish sauce and 1 Tbs. of the soy sauce; set aside. Place ginger in blender or food processor and mince, about 30 seconds. Add chilies, remaining 1 Tbs. soy sauce, vinegar, sugar and 1/2 tsp. grated lime peel. Blend or process for about 1 minute and set aside. Heat oil over high heat in wok or Dutch oven. Add chicken, onion and cabbage, stir frying about 4 minutes until chicken turns white. Pour ginger sauce mixture over chicken and continue to stir fry over high temperature until sauce thickens, about 2 minutes. Sprinkle with lime juice and top with mint.
Hillary
Chew on That
MASS quantities of mint...
So who was the person that named weeds as weeds?? Anyhow, i have lots of different types of mint in my weed-er-herb beds and when the kentucky colonel and grapefruit weeds-er-plants get quite full and lush I pluck the leaves and put them in the cuisinart with either ex virg olive oil and almonds or just the oil and process it just like a pesto and then freeze the product in tiny take-out containers--like the ones you get for "salad dressing on the side". Then i have fresh mint or fresh mint pesto for lamb, pasta, chutney, curries and the like. We have such a wonderfully producing small garden that i try to take advantage of every bit of the bounty- and fresh herbs, frozen for future use, have saved my cook's behind on more than one occasion.
MASS quantities of mint...
I would make this:
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/SUMMER-FRUIT-SALAD-WITH-MINT-SUGAR-109657
It's a really yummy recipe!
When I have mint leftover I make mint sugar and put it into ice cube trays and freeze them. Once they are frozen i pop them into a ziploc and use them for fruit salad or mojitos.
MASS quantities of mint...
Some chopped mint is great mixed w/ricotta cheese in ravioli, stuffed shells, manicotti, lasagna filling.
MASS quantities of mint...
Chiffonade repellent?
J/K - enjoy your mint!! Whip up some tabbouleh - I've seen it called for in that.
London Dispatch: Dodging Espresso Machines for the Filter Coffee at Monmouth Coffee Co.
Oh wow, I loved this place when I was in London last Fall. I frequented the Covent Garden branch every morning during my stay. Best coffee I had the whole trip and the brioche wasn't bad either!
London Dispatch: Dodging Espresso Machines for the Filter Coffee at Monmouth Coffee Co.
Gorgeous - I've never made my way there but I'm often in the Covent Garden area. Must give it a try. Would you care to share the dosa place, please?
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I spend more than the UK equivalent of $30 a week, but I make lunches for us to take to work most days and factor in the money that saves into my budget. I shop at Borough Market in London which has the most fantastic produce. It is a joy to eat with such ingredients. We do eat meat but often the cheaper cuts and not every day. Also get lots of rice, beans, lentils, noodles, spices and herbs from Asian and Middle Eastern stores - cheaper by far than a supermarket.
I write a blog about it - http://practicallydaily.blogspot.com - it's an interesting way of keeping track of what I spend and what we eat and see how the patterns emerge.