Yummy food on a budget

 I bought myself a yoghurt maker back in the summer. It was on sale for half price so I didn't feel too guilty for buying another 'gadget'. Essentially it's just a flask, but it works really well without any faff. It came with a couple of yoghurt mixes, which I used and they were delicious. I have since made up my own mixes with natural live yoghurt and milk ( I froze the live yoghurt in ice cube trays as you only need a bit each time). This has worked well but doesn't make as creamy a yoghurt. The other day I saw some packet mixes at half price, so I bought two for £1.50. They each make 1 litre of delicious thick yoghut. I'm eating some now as a little treat! The same quantity of equivalent yoghurt would cost you at least £3 per litre - it makes it even tastier!!
I had made dark chocolate coated candied orange peel as a treat over Christmas, taken from a recipe from 'Gardenmama' blog. They were nice - not too sweet, but sugary enough to feel special.

I had two oranges left which I wasn't quite sure what to do with, so I decided to try orange curd. It's basically orange juice (strained 125ml), some grated orange peel, 3 eggs, 125g sugar and 125g butter. Melt it all together until it is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon and then decant into sterilised jars. It will keep in the fridge for a week or two. I made it on the hob first but it didn't set, so I heated it in the microwave for 1 minute intervals, stirring in between, until it thickened. I have to say it is the nicest curd I have ever tasted! I will have to try some different flavours later in the year.

I've just come back from doing the week's grocery shop. It only cost me £55 for six days and six people. The menu next week is:-

• Cauliflower pakoras with peperonata, red onion chutney and raita
• Aromatic black-eye bean curry with home made GF flatbreads
• Spicy Mexican bean soup and bread
• Sweet potato and chick pea curry
• Vegetable chilli with peanut butter cabbage and sadza

For my gluten free, vegan bake this week, I'm going to try chocolate and macadamia brownies
It's such a good feeling when the house is full of yummy, healthy food even if it's still in its component parts at the moment!!