More or fewer choices, or the same as in Canada?

What is the cost of your UK shopping basket compared to what it would be in Canada?


.

[QUOTE=not2old;12203061]More or fewer choices, or the same as in Canada?

What is the cost of your UK shopping basket compared to what it would be in Canada?

Way more choice in England, better quality produce than I can get, much cheaper. I didn't do an item by item comparison as I've better things to do but little oranges were 25p each, cheese about half the price, bread, milk cheaper. Eating out is more expensive though so we've been staying and having cheese sandwiches for supper.

Have a ball while you're there, bats; what about street food like kebabs?, that mustn't be too dear.

] Thanks! The having a ball part started today when we had lunch with old friends. We came for my MIL's funeral so we've had tiring days and evenings collapsed in front of the telly.

I can never eat street food because of the risk of gluten but greasy burgers and hot dogs don't appeal anyway. I do like the smell of those fried onions though!

Oops, forgot. I had a friend who was a vegetarian, but once in awhile (2-3 years), in the summer she would have a bbq'd hotdog because, "Though the wieners are disgusting, they are the perfect vehicle for mustard and fried onions."

At last I found some Hobnobs that didn't have chocolate on them.

Until yesterday I'd only ever seen the chocolate ones here which are just not right.

If only the Brit sections would get some Colman's sauce mixes.

TOTALLY AGREE ON THE SAUCE MIXES!

Usually I mention a Colman's sauce mix and people just say make your own - ditto with VH curry sauces in jars.

But there's always a risk of the right consistency but lack of (or unbalanced) flavour or the right flavour but too thin and consequential loss of flavour from attempts to thicken.

I don't want to serve up stodgy or too runny or just right but tasteless on how ever many occasions before I get it acceptable every time. And with things like Bourguignon, Chasseur, Provençal, Coq au vin, I don't do them often enough to want to take a chance.

Use a Colman's sauce mix as an aid and it's right every time.

Great if people can do their own and get it right every time. Maybe they've been doing it for long enough it comes naturally. Or maybe only cooking for one and being disappointed for yourself until practice makes (near) perfect isn't the same as disappointing others.

There are many things I cook without 'cheats' but some things I do less often I need a guarantee.

Of all the food complaints we all have about what's not available here or what is but "isn't the same", ridiculously expensive etc this is mine.

Maybe there's more a tradition of doing things from scratch but then there are so many instant gravy options, so many marinades available, different versions of ready mixed steak spices, slow cooker mixes and some instant pouring sauce mix options including Chasseur. Why no cook-in equivalents.

Home-made pizza can be better than what's available locally too, but nobody beats you up for ordering pizza.

An excellent point. Especially coming from such a culinary expert

I shall quote you next time

Doing some bookkeeping today, feeding three people (with bits & bobs for the FIL) - the first quarter year grocery bill (three calendar months) Jan 1 to March 31 was $705.17 ($235/mth). That was everything, all food items, tea/coffee, staples, laundry products, personal care, bathroom... you name it.

We don't drink bottled water, booze or soda pop

Carryover items over for April, meat in the freezer, staples, small amount of fruit & veg, laundry stuff, bathroom, personal care


.

I scored a bunch of stuff left over from a band rider; taco meat from Taco Time, shredded cheese, salsa, cheese sauce, lettuce. I'll get some frozen peas and make empanadas with the meat, and after giving away most of the lettuce still have lots for BLT's, I like a nice cheese and mushroom omelette, and so nothing goes to waste. Taco Time tacos with their usual ingredients and those hard shells are pretty disgusting, but with some peas and onions (or whatever else you want to use), the meat makes a nice empanada. Ideally this would coincide with tomato season when people all want to give you tomatos because a big pot of fresh salsa is the perfect accompaniment.
I could live on pennies if I chose to, but having done it out of necessity before I won't do it for fun. I'm thrifty except for all my vices, most of which cost something.

what is a band rider ?

"thrifty" when doing it for fun is wonderful, once you've experienced doing out of necessity

The 'no waste' food is a valuable lesson that most don't practice

The section of an entertainment contract regarding food, lodging, and incidental arrangements. The tacos were for Finnish heavy metal bands.

Wouldn't that be a good part time job for some folks that would like to get a free meal out of it

Did you manage to grab some 'leftover' free booze also?