Times are a bit skintsville in Phil-land at the moment so I am watching the pennies even more and have decided to spend wisely and eat more healthy food. Inspired by Rick Stein and his Far Eastern Odyssey dvd I thought I'd give stir frys a go and so I trotted off to the Victoria Centre market in Nottingham and bought some king prawns and stir fry veg. I originally wanted crevettes but the fishmonger said he hadn't got any as they were too expensive. I was a bit shocked therefore to 'shell out' nearly a fiver (£5) for six of the little buggers. Would you believe that on the other fishmonger's stall they had the ellusive crevettes on display. I looked into their little black eyes and thought for a moment about returning to the original stall to get my money back but chickened out, or is that 'shellfished out'?
The veg market is next door to the fishmongers and butchers and I had in mind buying some bean sprouts and green beans. The bean sprouts were 48p so I got those, but turned down a paltry bag of mouldy looking french beans at 98p. I was sure I could get twice as many and fresher looking at my village grocer. I did however get tempted by some young asparagus shoots although the absorbed vendor was more interested in what was going on on his mobile phone than serving me.
Moving on, I went across town to Han's Chinese Supermarket in Hockley and got myself some fish sauce and pak choi leaves. Once back in my village I availed myself of a few cold beers to 'help' with the cooking and upon going into the local greengrocers on High Street for mushrooms I discovered all the veg I'd bought showing at two thirds the price!!!
The king prawns took about ten minutes to peel and covered my fingers in orangey gunk. There was almost more bits to discard than there were bits to eat. Next door's cat was watching me from the windowsill outside and was head butting the windowframe in a desperate attempt to eat the raw prawns. Her nose was pressed hard onto the glass and her eyes were as big as a plate.
I made the stir fry with chopped ginger and garlic and a de-seeded and finely chopped pepper as well as the bean sprouts, asparagus, button mushrooms and prawns. It took about half an hour to prepare and the cold beers certainly did help.
The following day I made another stir fry with egg riced rice and shared it with my neighbour. There are still cat nose prints on my window.
The veg market is next door to the fishmongers and butchers and I had in mind buying some bean sprouts and green beans. The bean sprouts were 48p so I got those, but turned down a paltry bag of mouldy looking french beans at 98p. I was sure I could get twice as many and fresher looking at my village grocer. I did however get tempted by some young asparagus shoots although the absorbed vendor was more interested in what was going on on his mobile phone than serving me.
13 comments:
Isn't it funny that crevettes are much cheaper here than the gambas ones. It's the reverse of your experience. As for the cost - I always find the supermarkets here far cheaper than the local markets - ironic really
Really FF? That is ironic. You would have thought going to the French market would be cheaper somehow.Hmmm French markets... now you have me dreaming...
You don't live anywhere near Bridgford do you Phil? I'd let you come round and cook that for me and Mrs. M anytime!
Mr Medd, I do actually, je habite en Ruddington. Not that they say that round 'ere. lol.
Dinner at M. et Mdme Medd's then?
Go veggie Phil - it's much cheaper and you don't have to look into those little black eyes...
Only joking...
I'm surprised that Thomas's (if it's still called that) is cheaper than Vicky market.
The stir fry looks really good. I've never tried them with ginger and garlic...sounds tasty.
I've also found the French markets to be more expensive than the supermarkets. I'm told the locals only buy what they can't grow, so you'd think they'd plump for the supermarkets.
You didn't take pity on the cats then?
I always like the look of Shellfish but as im allergic to it I cant eat the stuff.
Does sound good though and my mouth is watering.
I've been doing the same. Prawns are a bit expensive here, I usually go for the tofu or edemame or other beans. I once had to make do for a week on $5. I did quite nicely on noodles and eggs....
And beer makes any meal better!
I don't think I could eat anything that was that messy to prepare. Not been to Ruddington in years. My aunty used to live there on Dunblane Road.
Ex-Coventry blogger: there are some very nice veggy dishes out there. I might just give them a try.
Ken: Yes, Thomases, that's right and they were cheaper. The cats get enough off me with them snaffling my prawns! lol
That's shame Dean. Glad it whet your appetite though.
Cheryl: tofu or edemame or other beans? they sound good options as does being frugal and seeing if I can live without so much food expenditure. Maybe I'll see what's in the cupboards and freezer and live on that for now.
GailsMan: Bread and Jam for you then. Maybe just the bread as jam can be messy. lol
I'm sure we can arrange something. My email is john@johnmedd.com
Now, did that meal cost you less than any other? It is sad that local produce is always so expensive.
Did you give the shrimp peelings to the cat?
Your stir fry looks delicious. I hope you used those shellfish shells to make a little fish stock? As for asparagus, soon it will be time for the tasty English variety - I can hardy wait.
Post a Comment