What's cheap this week?

[GIDGET]

HI ALL,

I had a recent freak out at recently when after the recent Victorian floods, green vegies such a green beans, broccoli and zucchini were between $10 and $15 a kilo. Needless to say we went without green things (apart from frozen peas) that week.

This week I have managed to buy one large zucchini for $8 a kilo and did manage some green beans for $9 a kilo - well the kids actually like green beans - and I have been careful with quantites.

It has got me thinking that we should have a thread about what is cheap ATM and get some good seasonal recipes going? Seasonal produce is the cheapest - usually bar disasters!!

Potatoes are cheap ATM - $2.79 for a 5 kilo bag down at the fruit and vegie shop. I have been making the kids potato chips, but I am a bit over sausages and chips, chicken schnitzel and chips, frankfurts and mash, crumbed fish and chips. Needless to say there are been 2 happy toddlers in our house this week who have actually been eating their dinner!!!!!

What are your best recipes using cheap seasonal produce? What else is cheap this week?

Help, get me out of my potato chip rut!!!

GIDGET

[GIDGET]

Okay, no other suggestions so far for seasonal recipes or anything else that is cheap this week. So I'll give myself a suggestion to help use up the bag of potatoes!!!

What about spanish omelete tonight? Yes, the kids are likely to eat that too!!

[visitor2]

To use up the potatoes what about shephards pie that always uses heaps up.

[GIDGET]

Thanks Michelle, Great suggestion! I have used the potatoes now but will think about a nice shepherds pie next week if potatoes are still cheap! Great family winter meal!!!
I ducked down to the shops this morning to pick up a few things. Red capsicum were $2.45 per kilo - now does someone have a good recipe for capsicum!!!!!

[Amelia]

Yeah if you do a nice chunky fried rice with bacon in it and stuff the capsicums and put them in the oven for 20-30 mintues till the skin wilts and serve with a rocket salad!!! DH loves this!!

[GIDGET]

Thanks Amelia,
Hadn't thought of that. Our local butcher has some great bacon too that I can cut into chunks. The kids might even go for something like that!
Thanks heaps!
GIDGET

[briggsy's girl]

we always add heaps of veg to spag bol or fried rice when we're making it - adds heaps of flavour!

spud recipes - potato bake (there was a thread about this just recently), wedges, mash(we add lots of things - cheese, onion, bacon - depending on what we're having it with), fish potato patties, potato and leek soup...

just trying to think waht else we use capsicum for (we grow them, so use them in lots of stuff) - mind has gone completely blank sorry hun! will get back to you...

[GIDGET]

Capsicum are still cheap. Also price of mushrooms has come down to $6.67 per kilo. With capsicums and mushrooms I usually do stir-frys, stroganoff or pizzas - out of those three the kids are only really keen on the pizzas!

Amelia - I am going to try the stuffed capsicum idea when I get to the butcher to get some bacon.

Briggy's girl - do you have any further ideas for the capsicum? Agree, potato bake is a great idea - haven't done that one for years. Mum used to do one with tomato and onion.

Anyone have any other ideas to expand my reportoire?

[GIDGET]

I think it will be spag bol tonight with capsicum and mushroom and stuffed capsicums with the fried rice tomorrow night.

Don't get me wrong, we are not going to be eating capsicum and mushrooms all week (well, okay it was a lot of potatoes last week!) I am just interested in everyones ideas for seasonal recipes!

[Rouge]

You could make Jambalaya and add Capsicum & frozen peas.

The one I make is like the stew and rice combined, kinda like a paella but its very easy though:

Chicken & Chorizo Jambalaya

500g Chicken Thighs chopped (not bite size slightly larger maybe even into 4's)
250g Chorizo (if you can't find this substitute for a mild salmi) sliced and halved, I remove the skin but some people don't
1 onion
3 1/2 cups chicken stock
1 tin chopped tomatoes
1-2 TBS Cajun spice (depends on the spiciness of the brand and how hot you want, we get woolworths and 2 TBS doesn't really give it much kick)
1 capsicum julienned
Frozen Peas (as much or as little as you like)
1 1/3 cups rice
Garlic or Garlic powder if you like (I add garlic powder)

Fry up the chorizo (what i do is put it in the pan cook one side for about 2-3 mins then turn over being careful not to burn), then remove from the pan. Add the chicken and brown and remove from the pan. Add the onion to the pan and cook till translucent, add capsicum if using and cook, then add fresh garlic if using, add cajun powder and cook off till spices release that yummy smell. Add rice and cook till slightly translucent (like you would with a risotto), add the tomatoes and the stock, and meat. Cook for 25 mins. When you have about 5-10 mins left add the frozen peas. Once you find the mix starts to stick a bit, take it off the heat and allow to rest with the lid on for about 10-15 mins until liquid is fully absorbed and rice is soft.

Tip: I tend to fry everything up in a frypan up to the rice stage, then I put the rice and meat and tomatoes and stock into a big saucepan (like a stock pan) and cook it in that as I find it cooks better.

This is delish, so much so I had it twice in one week once

*hugs*
Cailin

[GIDGET]

That's a great recipe Cailin. Thanks for that.

I used to get great Chorizo at Queen Vic market - haven't had it for ages. I'll have to leave the peas out - DH does not eat peas - talk about fussy!!! DS used to eat peas until he worked out that daddy doesn't. Any tips on getting a husband to eat peas? I thought toddlers were bad enough!!!!