A Budget Challenge At Lidl - £5, 2 People, 1 Day

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  • Опубліковано 20 тра 2024
  • Time for another limited budget challenge - instead of the Too Good To Go App that I used in the last episode, this time it will just be shopping at Lidl on the same budget - how will that work out?
    Here's a link to part 1: • A Budget Challenge Usi...
    The reason I do this is as an exercise to try to provoke myself to respond creatively; to nurture or develop transferrable skills of creativity and adaptability; to think more about what it means to 'try'; to embed a habit of thinking about and focusing upon solutions, not problems and also to experience personal failure in a safe setting. This type of exercise - in this, and in other contexts - has served me very well in life. Those skills, such as they are, have always been the driving force of what I do, on this channel, and everywhere else.
    It's important to note what this video is NOT:
    This is NOT a tutorial for cooking or budgeting. No guarantee is made that anyone else will be able to replicate any part of this video (supposing you even wanted to).
    This is NOT an attempt to 'play at being poor', although it always does make me appreciate things that I normally take for granted.
    This is NOT an attempt to 'prove that people on benefits could get by with less' - if anything, it proves the complete opposite - because this was a difficult thing to do - that's why it's called a 'challenge'.
    This is NOT a diet - it would not be a good idea to cook or eat exactly this food every day - or budget like this every day.
    Timestamps:
    00:00 Intro
    00:27 Rules & Parameters
    00:40 Shopping
    03:13 Haul
    04:39 Breakfast (prep)
    09:14 Breakfast (serve)
    11:10 Quick Pickle
    14:28 Lunch (prep)
    18:42 Quickle
    26:17 Lunch (serve)
    28:02 Dinner (prep)
    32:26 Dinner (serve)
    34:48 Conclusions
    36:08 What Next?
    Join the Atomic Shrimp official Discord server for FREE early access to videos! - / discord
    Atomic Shrimp subreddit: / atomicshrimp
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 2 тис.

  • @AtomicShrimp
    @AtomicShrimp  10 місяців тому +835

    *Afterthoughts & Addenda*
    *Prices.* One of the most common comments (often from people in the USA) is about the low price of the food. Yeah, maybe, but we pay more for other things - for example petrol (gasoline) here costs the equivalent of about 7.30 USD per US gallon, for example.
    *Washing Meat.* It's not normal to wash meat here and it is officially disadvised ( www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/food-types/meat-nutrition/ ). I've neither the time nor the will for an impassioned debate about this. Adam Ragusea has addressed this topic in a far better and more completely balanced way than anyone else I've seen, here: ua-cam.com/video/90Nd_vh3yk8/v-deo.html

    • @ayathedoggo
      @ayathedoggo 10 місяців тому +92

      ​@@PandermoaniumA gas station probably isn't ideal, as it's mostly expensive food decreased to somewhat cheaper food. Plus, you wouldn't get groceries or produce; gas station. My mother uses Too Good to Go to get baked goods for brekkie.

    • @deavo74
      @deavo74 10 місяців тому +82

      I would never think to wash meat. I’m guessing this is a thing in some other countries?

    • @peterclarke7240
      @peterclarke7240 10 місяців тому +45

      @@deavo74 It used to be common in the States to wash uncooked meat. I feel like it's a throwback to traditions that existed before food hygiene and health and safety became a thing.

    • @YS-Simracing
      @YS-Simracing 10 місяців тому +1

      @@deavo74 American meat is filled to the brim with shit that is illegal to touch food in Europe :D

    • @slu8269
      @slu8269 10 місяців тому +11

      For me too good to go was more misses than hits but I enjoy watching you make new recipes out of what you buy. And I wanted to say that I waited all week for this video and checked daily if it came out.

  • @chrism287
    @chrism287 10 місяців тому +2622

    That whole box for £1.50 is a crazy deal !

    • @hypercane2023
      @hypercane2023 10 місяців тому +32

      What is 1.50 pounds to Australian dollars?

    • @ThierryPeek
      @ThierryPeek 10 місяців тому +61

      @@hypercane2023 2.86 Australian Dollar

    • @b.c.9358
      @b.c.9358 10 місяців тому +14

      ​@@hypercane2023$3 aud

    • @hypercane2023
      @hypercane2023 10 місяців тому +53

      @@ThierryPeekthat is so crazy!

    • @Akotski-ys9rr
      @Akotski-ys9rr 10 місяців тому +102

      Yeah well they were going to throw it out anyway so they’re basically giving it away for free

  • @Stavosmonkey
    @Stavosmonkey 10 місяців тому +995

    As a person who works for Lidl and puts out the fruit and veg and makes those £1.50 boxes it all depends on how much we take off in our morning freshness checks on how many boxes we make. It may be that 1 pepper out of a pack is not as fresh and we throw away the bad one and use the other two for the boxes or maybe the potatos are slightly sprouting they tend to come off and get used for boxes. Also note any other waste that doesn't go to in these boxes we donate to local charities (also dented tins, opened boxes of cereal etc) and raw meat goes into a freezer and gets picked up to go make feed for animals. So for anyone wondering as it may seem like maybe a lot goes to waste things are in place to reduce the ammount that actually gets wasted (at Lidl anyway).

    • @tenthz
      @tenthz 10 місяців тому +47

      Thanks for sharing this insight!

    • @wamfaj3423
      @wamfaj3423 10 місяців тому +29

      Aldi is pretty much exactly the same. Only rotten/off food doesn’t get donated or eaten by some kind of animal!

    • @The_Linux_User
      @The_Linux_User 10 місяців тому +49

      That is really nice to hear, the supermarkets should do more advertising for that, I'm sure this will bring in more customers than the "we reduced the plastic used for bottle caps by 50%"-campaign the supermarkets here did two years ago

    • @hermithillfarm1123
      @hermithillfarm1123 10 місяців тому +6

      Wish these boxes were at any of the US locations

    • @mycatalanhomestead
      @mycatalanhomestead 9 місяців тому +9

      German efficiency. 😅

  • @Smooshes786
    @Smooshes786 10 місяців тому +378

    Enjoyed that. Additionally, we now say “I’m gonna Shrimp that” when looking in the fridge before shopping day and cobbling together meals with imagination.

    • @ashesfall4
      @ashesfall4 10 місяців тому +12

      Yes, I also reference Mr. Shrimp alot when cooking

    • @businesszeus6864
      @businesszeus6864 10 місяців тому +5

      In my family we call them bottom of the fridge meals

    • @AlisonBryen
      @AlisonBryen 4 місяці тому +2

      Me too. We're really trying to cut back on waste in our household.

    • @davestier6247
      @davestier6247 Місяць тому +2

      Sometimes ya gotta 🍤 it up

  • @cherrycookie7365
    @cherrycookie7365 10 місяців тому +767

    You might argue it was a tad easy, but as a viewer, after seeing all your previous challenges where there often is a good amount of struggle involved (where as you pointed out before I think, you have to sacrifice some nutrition or variety to keep the price down), it was nice to see you able to go further and make some really creative meals with varied ingredients! They looked less like they are just an okay meal within the challenge parameters, they looked actually delicious. Just at a change of pace, this one time. Now I'm ready for more beans and flour recipes :D

    • @rageplayer20
      @rageplayer20 10 місяців тому +18

      I feel a challenge with a similar budget, at either Aldi or Lidl but no reduced items could be interesting.
      Foraged herbs allowed

    • @LisaLovesFugglers
      @LisaLovesFugglers 9 місяців тому +9

      I was kinda discussing this with my cousin after the video ended, and I said it was nice to see him spend a bit more, but still keeping it at a good level, to inspire people who might spend that amount over a few days. He got a lot out of those ingredients, and if you lived on your own, it'd go even further.

  • @riddimchef1
    @riddimchef1 10 місяців тому +597

    As a chef of 45yrs I think what you did with the ingredients was absolutely spot on 👍🏾
    The lunchtime salad could go on any bistro menu, superb 🔥
    I notice too your knife skills have come a long way. 😊
    Maybe you missed your true vocation 🤔😊

    • @keptleroymg6877
      @keptleroymg6877 10 місяців тому +37

      Vocation can ruin passion

    • @riddimchef1
      @riddimchef1 10 місяців тому +46

      @@keptleroymg6877 possibly but not in my case 👍🏾😊

    • @keptleroymg6877
      @keptleroymg6877 10 місяців тому +2

      @@riddimchef1 impressive this must be the best case for giving glory to the god of Israel

    • @GreatBritishMeme
      @GreatBritishMeme 10 місяців тому +12

      Also a Chef, Also Agree!

    • @lovis9306
      @lovis9306 9 місяців тому +33

      ​@@keptleroymg6877lol what

  • @WhenTheManComesAround
    @WhenTheManComesAround 10 місяців тому +233

    It always amazes me at how many "UA-cam channels" of content you produce on just one channel. Scambating, weird stuff in a can, budget challenges, foraging videos, hand crafted creations, exploration videos, cooking, and of course your video with the wobble dog 😁. Truly the variety channel that delivers great content year after year. Thanks very much my friend for sharing your interests and life with us, it's very much appreciated 😁👍👍

    • @WhenTheManComesAround
      @WhenTheManComesAround 10 місяців тому +51

      "Is it still a pear if there's only one of them" 😂😂 Excellent dad joke to start my Saturday 👏👏

    • @WhenTheManComesAround
      @WhenTheManComesAround 10 місяців тому +17

      What you call a courgette I believe we call in my part of the western united states a zucchini. In this area I remember growing up many of my neighbors making zucchini bread. So now it makes me wonder if in the UK they make courgette bread 🤔

    • @AtomicShrimp
      @AtomicShrimp  10 місяців тому +29

      Yeah, I think it's probably called courgette cake, or loaf

    • @sirflaps7619
      @sirflaps7619 10 місяців тому +5

      @@AtomicShrimplthough I’ve never heard of courgette bread here in the Netherlands (I might just be unaware of it), we at home do sometimes make filled courgette. It’s basically a slightly hollowed courgette filled with rice + ground meat + what ever else we have, bit of cheese on top and in the oven. Might be a good one for one of the changes.

    • @emirvmendoza
      @emirvmendoza 8 місяців тому

      @@AtomicShrimp How did you succeed (subscriber and watch time-wise) in making "UA-cam channels" worth of content in only one channel? Quinton Reviews (in his second channel Re2s) says that the algorithm usually favors only one brand for one channel, that's why creators maintain two channels, one for their main brand, the other for everything else.

  • @Shalamalabingbong
    @Shalamalabingbong 10 місяців тому +63

    Those Lidl boxes are fantastic. They're €3 here, I've only managed to nab one but it had a ton of veg, a whole melon and about €15 worth of berries in it, I was genuinely delighted 😂

  • @Narcomancer1943
    @Narcomancer1943 5 місяців тому +10

    Quickle, Oneion, Sweetza. Is there no stopping this man?

  • @Zolbat
    @Zolbat 10 місяців тому +322

    Jenny seemed to really like the breakfast, maybe it's just her warming up to the camera, but that was probably the most positive reaction I've heard of her. Good job!

  • @BigSpud
    @BigSpud 10 місяців тому +427

    You seemed to really enjoy making this one. The extra options you had sparked your creativity, and I think it's the veg box that won it for you. I love having stuffing mix in the cupboard, it's a great seasoning / filler / carb ingredient such as in a batter or binding for patties and meatballs.

    • @AtomicShrimp
      @AtomicShrimp  10 місяців тому +138

      Yeah - in general, the more vegetable options I have, the more I like it, even though I am a confirmed meat eater

    • @MagralhoPT
      @MagralhoPT 10 місяців тому +6

      ​@@AtomicShrimpyou are amazing!

    • @DrWho-vc2go
      @DrWho-vc2go 10 місяців тому +14

      @@AtomicShrimp Man does not live by meat alone, he needs a few veg.....more than a few, actually....🤣🤣🤣

    • @runescapeescape4102
      @runescapeescape4102 10 місяців тому +2

      @@AtomicShrimplost a bit of respect after reading that meat eater line… 😔

    • @AtomicShrimp
      @AtomicShrimp  10 місяців тому +72

      @@runescapeescape4102 how could it be a surprise to anyone that I am a meat eater?

  • @ChrisWar666
    @ChrisWar666 10 місяців тому +109

    Lidl pulling through for normal people 😁
    That mix of fruit paste and cheese is very common here in Brazil; they make a fruit block from guava, called "goiabada", and eat that with some fresh cheese in a dish called "Romeo and Juliet". The "pizzas" looked just like a strawberry and mozzarella version on a muffin; so I'd recommend trying it, if you liked it 😜

  • @SusanIvanova2257
    @SusanIvanova2257 10 місяців тому +66

    Germany has this thing called Senfgurken or Schmorgurken, basically cucumbers briefly simmered in a mustard sauce. Maybe that would be worth exploring when you stumble upon another cucumber on these challenges. Or smashed cucumber salad, that can be varied alot and has some stronger flavours.

  • @Bayoll
    @Bayoll 10 місяців тому +192

    Higher budget really does make a difference, the meals just looks and probably taste a lot better.
    This is a really interesting episode

    • @peterclarke7240
      @peterclarke7240 10 місяців тому +28

      Higher budget and access to larger supermarkets. Similar to the States, if you lack a car and live in the cheap seats in the UK, your access to larger, and therefore cheaper supermarkets that do the good discounts can be extremely limited.
      From a socio-economic point of view, although it may not be Mr Shrimp's intention, these videos make a mockery of idiot Tory thugs like 30p Lee's claim that people can survive on 30p meals. If Mike can't manage it, given he's fascinated by all this stuff, is a great cook and has the platform and time to experiment, then a single mum working 20+ hrs a week in a carehome and without a car doesn't stand a chance.

    • @nicolaim4275
      @nicolaim4275 10 місяців тому +6

      @@peterclarke7240 30p meals?! That sounds insane.

    • @billyjepson313
      @billyjepson313 10 місяців тому

      Please remember that 30p Lee in an idiot

    • @WhenTheManComesAround
      @WhenTheManComesAround 10 місяців тому +3

      ​@@peterclarke7240I completely understand your point of 30p a day not being achievable. That said, it looks like folks in the UK are just as divided based on political party as the USA. Has it always been that way in the UK or just since social media came out? Growing up in the late 80's/early 90's we weren't nearly as hasty make broad based assumptions about people based on who they voted for in my neighborhood. However now it's happening all the time & because of it the sense of community has gone completely out the window. Because of that I've completely stopped watching the news and have disconnected from social media other than watching certain channels like this one on UA-cam. I've found that over the last year my thought patterns/judgement has now moved back to my mindset before social media. Something super random I know, but just interested to know if there was always this level of vitriolic disgust of people who voted differently than you do in the UK, or if this is a new thing. That said, I hope you have yourself a great day 👍

    • @papiezguwniak
      @papiezguwniak 10 місяців тому +1

      ​@@peterclarke7240public transport exists, as well as online delivery, bicycles exist too

  • @sueievers8700
    @sueievers8700 10 місяців тому +119

    I’ve been waiting for this all week.
    I would love you to do a challenge where you see how little you can spend but using garden produce, store cupboard staples calculated pro rata and foraging.

    • @ArtistFormerlyKnownAsShitlord
      @ArtistFormerlyKnownAsShitlord 10 місяців тому +5

      Great idea. Hope Shrimp takes you up on it.

    • @koreannom
      @koreannom 10 місяців тому +6

      isn't that basically a lot of the earlier challenges? would be nice to see foraging + buying challenges again though

    • @morgie39
      @morgie39 10 місяців тому +2

      Yes please!

  • @berribeans6593
    @berribeans6593 8 місяців тому +22

    I really enjoy your wife participating in these videos! It seems it's not the easiest for her to do, so her going out of her way to do it, is very much appreciated 😊
    Also wanted to say, that I really enjoy your videos that show recipes that you do off the cuff, it's a really good skill to have and that's how I enjoy cooking myself!
    I feel this is so much more valuable that just straight up recipe videos!

  • @grahaml8838
    @grahaml8838 9 місяців тому +33

    As things get tighter, I can see your videos helping so many people out. I didn't really know how to cook until I reached my late 20's finding myself as a single father. I can only imagine how much money I could have saved if your videos (and youtube) were around then.

  • @wadly312
    @wadly312 10 місяців тому +224

    I cannot get over the deal on the produce box! I’m in New Zealand and even in prime season I think that would cost a minimum of $35 for what was in the box

    • @mwethereld
      @mwethereld 10 місяців тому +57

      100% bro. AU/NZ prices are fucked compared to the UK and US. We get ripped off royally.

    • @timgooding2448
      @timgooding2448 10 місяців тому +26

      Yeah I'm in Aus and I'm amazed at what you can get in the UK price wise. Even when you get lucky with a mark down it's still expensive!

    • @wadly312
      @wadly312 10 місяців тому +9

      @@mwethereldmate it’s an absolute rort over here eh

    • @stevedotrsa
      @stevedotrsa 10 місяців тому +8

      Straya tax at its finest.

    • @rodaxel7165
      @rodaxel7165 10 місяців тому +13

      Does AUS and NZ import most of their veg and fruit?
      That might be why they are so expensive. Not sure. But that box is a bargain.

  • @Alex-bf7mc
    @Alex-bf7mc 9 місяців тому +29

    That was incredible, I genuinely can’t believe how intuitive you were at putting those meals together. There’s a lot to learn from this!

  • @jacquespoulemer3577
    @jacquespoulemer3577 10 місяців тому +18

    Mike, Jenny, Eva and fellow uncutables. This was much more enjoyable than the too good to go experiment. 2 small observations, all citrus works in a similar manner, making minor adjustments for sugar or acid etc. I'm always interested in how language sets our minds against combinations of food. Apples and oranges indeed. The Whey from the mozzarella contains lactic acid which could have been used in either the pickle or to stop the apples and or pears from oxidizing.
    Mild cheeses combine very well with fruit. All the best Jim Oaxaca Mexico

  • @chocoboasylum
    @chocoboasylum 10 місяців тому +356

    Lidl and Aldi on a budget are good places to check out
    Also: I would have NEVER thought to make those sweet mini pizza's

    • @toast99bubbles
      @toast99bubbles 10 місяців тому +17

      I think with any store, it depends what you're after. Mike has done videos comparing Aldi and Lidl to other supermarkets, based on a specific list, often the sort of list a food bank uses for people.

    • @chocoboasylum
      @chocoboasylum 10 місяців тому +4

      @@toast99bubbles Of course, but from my experience on average I can buy a lot more going to the Aldi then I can going to the Jumbo or Albert Heijn which we also have here

    • @zitronentee2302
      @zitronentee2302 10 місяців тому +8

      i was soooo sceptical but then again people eat cheese with fruit all the time
      the more i watched the more sense it made.
      but i am totally with you, i would never have thought about making sweet pizzas

    • @olik136
      @olik136 10 місяців тому +7

      @@girlsdrinkfeck either your supermarkets must have a lot more than ours have our the discounters have a lot less.. the range at ALDI especially has grown in the last 10 years to be close to a normal supermarket. They even sell brand name stuff like nutella and so on.

    • @Insomniac1985
      @Insomniac1985 10 місяців тому +3

      Its a no for me with that weird sweet pizza

  • @fionaedge5332
    @fionaedge5332 10 місяців тому +52

    You're an amazing cook who inspires others. Your meals look scrumptious. Just a couple of ideas inspired by what you did, I wonder if zest from your orange could go into the fruit puree and adding Pear to your cucumber quickle.

  • @QuarterGeekster
    @QuarterGeekster 10 місяців тому +7

    I’d honestly love to see a video of how you shop/cook normally. You’re very creative within the constraints, what happens when you’re just let free

  • @TvMaNightmareHD
    @TvMaNightmareHD 10 місяців тому +9

    I don't often comment, but I feel like I should say your vids are like free therapy, I greatly enjoy them, and they always manage to take my stress off. I really appreciate what you do

  • @ErinBerlintop10
    @ErinBerlintop10 10 місяців тому +41

    I really wish my local Lidl here in the states had 'waste not' boxes, but I haven't seen them in store. Love the budget challenges!

    • @jibcot8541
      @jibcot8541 10 місяців тому +9

      My local Lidl in the UK doesn't do those boxes either, they just give it to staff or throw it away.

    • @wmoule
      @wmoule 10 місяців тому +1

      @@jibcot8541 To be fair if it's a busy store there might not be any.

    • @samuelwoods164
      @samuelwoods164 10 місяців тому +1

      ​@@jibcot8541have you asked? They usually sell out early doors.

    • @adajanetta1
      @adajanetta1 10 місяців тому +3

      Some smaller grocery stores here will have "nearly expired" and "nobody is buying this" displays. As noted, you have to get there early to find the good stuff.

    • @AlucardRawks
      @AlucardRawks 10 місяців тому +3

      ​@@jibcot8541 you need to get there when they open. If you don't see them ask if they've already sold out or if they're still making them. A lot of produce sells before it reaches this stage so it may just be too busy of a store. The store I work in is fantastic for their boxes, they're very generous and fill the whole thing if they can but we can only make a 2-5 a day as a result. The boxes may also be in an odd place in the store, we put ours next to the self service checkouts.

  • @HayTatsuko
    @HayTatsuko 10 місяців тому +60

    Had to chuckle when you said the exact thing that had popped into my head on seeing those neat little pizzas -- swee'zzas! Raspberry, pear, and mozza sound as though they'd go really well together. I imagine a good Cheddar might hit well, too. You were so lucky to get that Waste Not box -- a real treasure trove of fruit and veg! Always love watching these challenge videos, even when they don't go so swell, like that last one.

    • @ferrumignis
      @ferrumignis 10 місяців тому +2

      Something really creamy like Brie or Camembert would go very well, but usually not a very budget friendly choice.

    • @AlisonBryen
      @AlisonBryen 10 місяців тому

      Sweezzas went through my head too 😂

  • @peterjames5887
    @peterjames5887 9 місяців тому +8

    Returning to the video to say: your 'quick pickle' in this video inspired me when I was cooking (for a lot of people) in a family reunion earlier this month to rescue some cucumbers that gotten a little too cold (par frozen). I had rice vinegar instead of cider, but it was being served with bbq pork and it seemed to go over quite well!
    So thank you for your unique content, I would never get that kind of inspiration anywhere else. :)

  • @nickshillito1170
    @nickshillito1170 10 місяців тому +28

    I wish I could subscribe to this channel twice. Easily my favourite UA-cam channel of all time. Another banger of a video Mike, keep them coming! Nice to see Jenny and Eva making an appearance also

    • @stephenlee5929
      @stephenlee5929 8 місяців тому

      Sadly not, can't like the video twice either, but you can view multiple times, which I believe.
      Also comments are good for the algorithm, I'm told. 😁

  • @mariahgumm8314
    @mariahgumm8314 10 місяців тому +49

    These meals came out amazing! Your creativity never fails to astound me. You've inspired me to only use what's in my house for meal prep this week.

  • @sickranchez4742
    @sickranchez4742 10 місяців тому +20

    Not a carrot, and no rice/spaghetti in sight!!!! 😮

    • @mwethereld
      @mwethereld 10 місяців тому +2

      Havent watched yet.... any baked beans?

    • @alaingraham
      @alaingraham 10 місяців тому +2

      ​@@mwethereldyes

  • @user-ut9vp9ph4m
    @user-ut9vp9ph4m 10 місяців тому +18

    Your budget challenges are always very thought provoking and interesting , I now walk round the supermarket checking what I can buy for a pound!

  • @marcberm
    @marcberm 10 місяців тому +16

    For most of my life I misunderstood what "fork split" meant on the Thomas' English Muffins package, until one day Atomic Shrimp showed me the way. It's a beautiful split every single time!!!

    • @alexcarter8807
      @alexcarter8807 9 місяців тому +1

      They're kind of pre-cut but it's subtle, so you can just stick a fork in there and they split open.

  • @miradrgn
    @miradrgn 10 місяців тому +39

    early on i was asking myself "quick pickle? surely the mind that brought us oneion wouldn't just leave the opportunity for 'quickle' on the table" so i'm pleased that you didn't disappoint
    also wow, really made out like a bandit with that produce box! i've never seen stores doing something like that in my neck of the woods (suburban utah). at my local stores that much will get you one carton of strawberries that 50/50 are already moldy before they've left the store, yet are still full price. of course a lot of the produce was on its way out, but the amount and *variety* of usable food you got for that price is still really impressive. and the garlic looked better than just about any head of fresh garlic i've tried my luck with here

    • @miradrgn
      @miradrgn 10 місяців тому +5

      oh, and if i can put forward one more dubious portmanteau for this video: sweetza

    • @CainXVII
      @CainXVII 10 місяців тому

      My store does those waste not boxes, but at least half the fruits and veggies are beyond saving... So even if they are cheap you are just buying stuff to throw away.

    • @mightbeagiant
      @mightbeagiant 10 місяців тому

      Shout out to Utah! I can often find discount produce bags at Smith's but never equal to the value of that lidl box

  • @jortand
    @jortand 10 місяців тому +33

    the deal on that box is insane, think I need to check out Lidl at early hours

    • @etuanno
      @etuanno 10 місяців тому +7

      Here in Switzerland Lidl and Aldi sell the bread from yesterday with a steep discount too.
      It's good for another day or two and then you can make a variety of different dishes from stale bread. Like french toast or bread soup that I often make when I have stale bread.

    • @infamoussphere7228
      @infamoussphere7228 9 місяців тому

      I often check out the deals at Lidl here in Finland, and I've seen those veggie boxes but unfortunately they were mostly apples, carrots and swedes. Admittedly I think the last time I saw the boxes was in winter. I don't often get to Lidl when it just opens, usually a few hours later.

  • @xingcat
    @xingcat 10 місяців тому +18

    I would say this is the best-looking series of meals you've had in your budget series. I think the boxes of veggies are such a brilliant idea. We have some stores around me (Boston area in the US) that will do reduced vegetables, but they tend to be all one type of veg in a big container, which doesn't always work for me as a single person cooking for one.

  • @kirksummerwill3938
    @kirksummerwill3938 8 місяців тому +4

    I love how efficient your cooking is, and how quickly you disregard and compost things that won't make 'good' food depsite being under a budget - I aspire to the level of creativity!

  • @RoboticCarnival
    @RoboticCarnival 10 місяців тому +17

    One thing I like to do with chicken wings is pick the raw meat of the bone and then chop into a rough paste and form patties. You can still use the bones for stock and you can pan fry the skins crisp and cook with the excess oil.

  • @adaadena7291
    @adaadena7291 10 місяців тому +25

    I never got a waste not box.(or the German bag equivalent) Cause I work to early for that😢 I really appreciate that it exists for people though. I had quiet a funny to good to go bag last weekend and got 3kg of verry ripe strawberries. I ate 500g on the same day and diced and froze the rest of them for cocktails, breakfast Joghurt toppings and ice-cream.

    • @igeekling
      @igeekling 10 місяців тому +4

      They are perfectly timed for us working overnight so are hanging on the door at opening so we can pick up shopping on the way home to bed.

    • @Esablaka
      @Esablaka 10 місяців тому +3

      In my experience most Lidls here in Germany ( at least the ones around me) don't have anything equivalent to these boxes.
      In general there are barely any deals at Lidl here like the ones one can find in the UK

    • @ribozyme2899
      @ribozyme2899 10 місяців тому +1

      @@Esablaka Yeah, I'm not sure about Lidl either, but I did see a box like that at Rewe before!

    • @frankseyen9156
      @frankseyen9156 9 місяців тому

      @@Esablaka Lidl has it in my area here in germany, but you have to be very quick when they open at 7 AM. Most of the time the few bags called "Rettertüte" are all gone after 5 minutes. Also Kaufland has reduced produce since a few weeks. But there you have to inspect it carefully. Mushrooms are often moldy, salad is already mushy, but sometimes you find stuff like cucumbers for like €0.15. Also Norma has reduced produce that still is looking absolutely fine. But at least here its always at a different spot, so you have to search for it every time.

    • @EmmaHope88
      @EmmaHope88 6 місяців тому

      @@frankseyen9156 The one and only one I've ever gotten at my Lidl was at 6.15pm on a Wednesday. I wonder if it was because the bag was partially torn.

  • @134StormShadow
    @134StormShadow 10 місяців тому +4

    I think the fact that it was easy is a good thing. The £1.50 waste not boxes are a real bargain (just got my first one as I didn't know abt them until I saw them on here). My £5 for two people provided fruit porridge, vegetable soup, chicken stir fry with rice, a big pan of borscht (half of which was frozen for another day along with vegetable stock and chicken stock for future use). We got two days out of the £5 budget (38p left over). Also have a load of onion, peppers, mushrooms etc in the freezer.
    Shopping like this will easily save over £100 month on food bills. Thank you Mike. 🥰

  • @skiruskronos2732
    @skiruskronos2732 10 місяців тому +3

    I found your channel through scambait videos. And you even had a disclaimer in said videos, that those are not the only types of videos you make. I shrugged off the fact at the time. But seeing this in my sidebar feed from you, made me click none the less. And through your honest and humble demeanor, you are quickly becoming one of my favourtie youtube channels.
    Amazing work and effort, humbling yet inspiring!

  • @Bamboori
    @Bamboori 10 місяців тому +8

    I love these kinds of crates. I hope we will get those soon as well where I live. I do not particularly have a need for them, but I am sure a lot of people do.

  • @MsAnpassad
    @MsAnpassad 10 місяців тому +14

    "It's not like I need more courgettes"
    Me laughing as a fellow gardener....

    • @oz_jones
      @oz_jones 10 місяців тому +1

      Tell me about it 😂

    • @countesscable
      @countesscable 10 місяців тому +1

      Weirdly….my courgette plant is pathetic!!!! Everyone else is overrun with the things 😐

    • @igeekling
      @igeekling 10 місяців тому

      @@countesscable I hope to be overrun by them. But my plant hasn't really started producing yet.
      So I'm still having to buy them here.

    • @Emeraldwitch30
      @Emeraldwitch30 2 місяці тому

      ​@@countesscableme too. I love the tiny zucchin and summer squash but we get hot by squash vibe borers here where i am in the US and im lucky if i get 2 or 3 before the plants collapse. I do have an organic spray but it just hasnt really helped that much.
      I did buy some mesh bug netting i will try this coming season. I will have to go out in morning and hand pollinate the plants but i want more squash.

  • @josephdailey2610
    @josephdailey2610 4 місяці тому +1

    Thanks for helping to prepare me for life on a budget as a graduate student, Mr. Shrimp.

  • @Benfromwv525
    @Benfromwv525 8 місяців тому +1

    You remind me of my late grandfather so much. He acted exactly like you and was the nicest man ever.

  • @milesmcquillen1885
    @milesmcquillen1885 10 місяців тому +19

    Dr Johnson came across an excellent recipe for cucumber which you may like to try;
    "It has been a common saying of physicians in England, that a cucumber should be well sliced, and dressed with pepper and vinegar, and then thrown out, as good for nothing."
    I've tried it and it works surprisingly well.

    • @driverjayne
      @driverjayne 10 місяців тому +8

      My favorite recipe for cucumber is to buy it with hopes I'll somehow become a person who likes cucumber and then let it thoroughly rot in my fridge until I eventually scrape it out and throw it away.

    • @milesmcquillen1885
      @milesmcquillen1885 10 місяців тому +3

      @@driverjayne Sounds intriguing. I might try it sometime. Perhaps a light dusting of smoked paprika would be beneficial?

  • @RoswelliVideos
    @RoswelliVideos 10 місяців тому +20

    I got those Waste Not boxes before. Amazing value, and I do my own mini budget challenges with them, to find ways of using the lot. Quite the inspiration you are, Mr Shrimp. =D

  • @gallomphrattlebone329
    @gallomphrattlebone329 10 місяців тому +2

    I have been trying to make both ends meet with this LIDL style method for 3 years now thanks to inflation.... it works! LIDL makes me survive. Greetimgs from Germany!

  • @Veezyjung
    @Veezyjung 10 місяців тому +23

    I was happy to see that the dog barking in the background didn't annoy you. I personally don't care if Eva is barking while you're talking, she's a dog, dogs bark,
    Also you should give Garlic Confit a try. I made some the other week and it was one of the best things I've cooked. So incredibly simple too.

    • @joantionette734
      @joantionette734 10 місяців тому

      Love Eva and the chicken tax was collected for her ;-)

  • @AcornElectron
    @AcornElectron 10 місяців тому +6

    Saturday morning shrimp is the highlight of the UA-cam week!
    Keep up the good work fella and, as always, stay safe!

  • @AnonimityAssured
    @AnonimityAssured 10 місяців тому

    Your ability to improvise is astounding. Always a joy to watch.

  • @SammyC
    @SammyC 10 місяців тому +8

    I really love this series - from the relaxing trip around the supermarket to watching you turn random ingredients into pretty good looking meals is really inspiring. Thank you AtomicShrimp! ❤️

  • @Marte0107
    @Marte0107 10 місяців тому +9

    We have the waste not boxes in Ireland Lidl too- only €3. Another cheap but great meal to get is Lidl’s frozen paella- it has chicken and some seafood in it but if you buy Lidl’s seafood mix in the fridge section (one of their cheapest fish options) you can make a genuinely impressive dinner out of it for cheap. Always goes down well

  • @Thatgingerdude15
    @Thatgingerdude15 10 місяців тому +10

    I atart uni in September and I've been watching all your cooking videos for meal ideas and ways to eat for cheaper. Thank you!

    • @capitalb5889
      @capitalb5889 10 місяців тому

      I bought my daughter the students cook book which has loads of cheap recipes and an app attached to it when she went up to university.
      Has she used it? Has she fuck.

    • @user-sk4ds1rg1z
      @user-sk4ds1rg1z 10 місяців тому +1

      A really good way to save money on food at uni is to batch cook. Get some tupperware and make things you can buy/cook in bulk and freeze.

  • @Dinki-Di
    @Dinki-Di 10 місяців тому

    This was so satisfying to watch. While I’ve really enjoyed your creative responses to your past strictly limited budget challenges, it was wonderful to watch your creativity take flight with a more varied range of ingredients.

  • @msmaryceline
    @msmaryceline 9 місяців тому

    best one to date, well done on the menu planning and execution, just brilliant, thank you for the relaxing and entertaining content.

  • @JdV988
    @JdV988 10 місяців тому +7

    Loved the optimistic tone of this shopping trip compared to the previous one😃

  • @MissyChiyo
    @MissyChiyo 10 місяців тому +6

    Never ever have I seen such a beautiful collection of produce in a waste not box, this is AMAZING! Here they go for 2-4 € and mostly contain semi spoiled fruit and veg...

  • @angryewok2474
    @angryewok2474 10 місяців тому

    I love these videos so much man,never stop making them,they make me feels so genuinely happy,thank youuuu❤

  • @eskimo4130
    @eskimo4130 4 місяці тому +1

    19:42 is a next level cooking tip! So useful in a manor of ways, will have to try this

  • @philipmckeon8944
    @philipmckeon8944 10 місяців тому +5

    You are so inventive. £1.50 for the box and 80p for the wings wow. I absolutely love these videos. Keep em’ coming. 👍

  • @GIBBO4182
    @GIBBO4182 10 місяців тому +4

    My favourite kind of Atomic Shrimp video…just had breakfast, and a shower! Time for another cup of tea, and I’m ready to watch!

  • @figtmen5
    @figtmen5 10 місяців тому +3

    I loved this! Your creativity with cooking knows no bounds. This was actually more enjoyable then the one pound challenges because in those the variety in food just gets so small

  • @brokkenpiloot3982
    @brokkenpiloot3982 6 місяців тому +3

    Hey Atomic Shrimp, I've heard some concerns about the quality of chicken from certain places, so I've been more cautious with my choices. It would be interesting to see a video where you explore different sources for chicken or discuss food safety. Thanks for the content!

  • @frenchiestfry9045
    @frenchiestfry9045 10 місяців тому +6

    I suspect this wasn't very challenging, just comfortable cooking! interesting as a comparison to the TGTG as a sort of example of what to do vs what not to do when you've got £5 for a day.

  • @TheDarklingWolf
    @TheDarklingWolf 10 місяців тому +17

    Been looking forward to this one since you teased it at the end of the last one, always love your limited budget challenges and seeing what you do with the ingredients you can snaffle.
    (Although Lidl is such good value sometimes that £5 doesn't even feel like that much of a limitation :P Bless Lidl)

  • @johnmckay1961
    @johnmckay1961 10 місяців тому +1

    Your creativity with food never ceases to amaze me, my brain would literally never go there given these ingredients, bravo 🙌

  • @RandallHallKaizenReiki
    @RandallHallKaizenReiki 10 місяців тому

    Always rooting for you. Love to see your wins. Great job.

  • @uutdiegodzilla3821
    @uutdiegodzilla3821 10 місяців тому +35

    This was the first time the budget challenge included cheese!❤️
    Even though the last one has been a bit of a beige disappointment to you, I feel you are getting better at it every time - even though the prices have increased.
    (I'll count the last challenge as the exception that confirms the rule.)
    The sweet mini pizzas might also go well with a bit of gorgonzola, and maybe some walnuts, if you're not on a budget challenge. Yeah, how innovative, I know - since pears and gorgonzola are staple, anyways.
    Btw, the food of this challenge looked very appetizing and opulent. 😋

  • @ChineseDetective
    @ChineseDetective 10 місяців тому +4

    Love your food challenges, not only to see what you can do with a small budget, but you also provide creative cooking options and tips that I will be using in my own cooking! Keep'em coming! Looking forward to the £5 for two people over 2 days challenge! :D

  • @callumr1998
    @callumr1998 10 місяців тому

    That was a great video. To start your meals are always very interesting to watch and they always get me thinking and learning about cookery. Also, your video production only continues to improve! Good work Shrimp!

  • @jonathanromankiw692
    @jonathanromankiw692 10 місяців тому

    Big fan of this channel and definitely one of the best on UA-cam. Thank you mike thoroughly enjoyed this as always.

  • @klarname_online9356
    @klarname_online9356 10 місяців тому +11

    I loved that challenge! I think that this one might have been less of a challenge... Yet I think it was really educative how to make really nice meals with still a small budget!
    Love your videos! Tremendously inspiring!

  • @Luncheon23
    @Luncheon23 10 місяців тому +6

    Wow, was waiting for this! Thank you Mr. Shrimp, your videos are such a treat!

  • @Mike-qo9hg
    @Mike-qo9hg 9 місяців тому

    These videos really are the best. Love the creativity. And you're very entertaining and pleasant to listen to!

  • @knittymonstah4978
    @knittymonstah4978 7 місяців тому +1

    I pretty much never comment, but I just want to say that I don't remember how I found your channel a few weeks ago, but I'm very happy I did!
    Absolutely love the mix of your content, your general positive attitude and more! Every video just leaves me a little bit happier than I was before I started watching, and I think that is worth so much!

  • @traceymars
    @traceymars 10 місяців тому +7

    Thanks for making a more realistic budget challenge! It would be great if you are doing two days to up the budget to maybe 6-7 pounds so it's not too challenging or limited nutritionally. WDYT? Love love the videos! It's truly inspiring! Appreciate the time and effort put into make these!

  • @sujimtangerines
    @sujimtangerines 10 місяців тому +4

    I love that you got a Waste Not box at the store & how that fit the theme of the first part of the challenge. I wish grocery stores here did something similar but the closest I've seen is one of those red mesh fruit/veg bags filled with odds & ends for 99 cents at Smith's (Kroger). Usually it's all one type of food (however many apples or potatoes or onions will fit) but I have picked up once or twice what I call a Stew Bag: A handful of baby potatoes, an onion, a small bulb of garlic and a ripe tomato (or a couple small Roma tomatoes). Add in from home whatever cut of beef I've pressure cooked (cheap cuts here need that to not turn out tough sad shoe leather), a handful of baby carrots & a stalk of celery I've roughly chopped... Added to some liquid from the instapot and simmer a bit to let the tomato(es) & potato starch thicken the gravy and with a couple slices of toasted day old bread & it's not a bad meal for 3 at about $2.00.

  • @nikiTricoteuse
    @nikiTricoteuse 6 місяців тому +1

    That £1.50 box is incredible value! That's about $18.00 worth here in Aotearoa, if not more. For example, it's early spring here and tomatoes are 9.00NZD per kg, Cherry tomatoes 6.00NZD per punnet, salad mix 150g bag NZD5.50 AND, we pay a bloody fortune for everything else too. That overgrown zucchini will be fabulous, sliced and sautéed with a knob of butter, ½ a chopped onion and a couple of chopped tomatoes - season to taste and saute uncovered until tender. It's actually one of my favourite ways of eating it. 😊

  • @worldsnacked7150
    @worldsnacked7150 10 місяців тому +1

    I loved seeing you cook with an abundance of choices (compared to most other challenges)

  • @Hazelcake
    @Hazelcake 10 місяців тому +5

    a tip for the too good to waste boxes - wash everything in them thoroughly. the stuff in there is more than likely been sat in close proximity to mould, but worse to me is how many people stick their hands in them and touch everything in there to 'make sure it's ok' and very often being naughty and sneaking extra things in from other boxes that they want. i'm 90% sure the reason they have them after the checkouts is because otherwise people would be putting anything they liked in them.

    • @inkenhafner7187
      @inkenhafner7187 10 місяців тому +3

      And wash your hands after using the toilet and put on your socks before the shoes.

    • @EggBastion
      @EggBastion 10 місяців тому

      after the checkouts?
      how do you pay for them?

    • @curmudgeon1933
      @curmudgeon1933 10 місяців тому

      ...you should speak to the manager. lol

    • @AtomicShrimp
      @AtomicShrimp  10 місяців тому +2

      Yeah, they're on the shelf (where you're supposed to pack your bags). I'm guessing you're meant to either just be buying one of the boxes alone, or you're meant to point and say 'and one of those' as your stuff is being rung through - but that runs the risk of them all being gone by the time you've completed your other shopping.
      I just grabbed one and put it in the trolley - nobody seemed to mind.

    • @sezh4315
      @sezh4315 10 місяців тому

      @@AtomicShrimp I do the same with mine - grabbed one then went back through the checkout saying "excuse me" to everyone queuing up, then got my trolley!

  • @ChetBakr
    @ChetBakr 10 місяців тому +4

    Could or would you consider doing a purely 'Reduced' labelled challenge. Would be interesting to see.
    Prehaps leaning into the previously mention 'deconstruction' of the bigger food/pre-made meals in order to create something else.

  • @grimmy9438
    @grimmy9438 10 місяців тому

    The ingredients you used for the breakfast is mindblowing, I would never have expected someone to be able to make something with them combined, let alone it taste nice. You sir have a real talent and you need to put it to wider use!

  • @rdefaoite9413
    @rdefaoite9413 10 місяців тому

    That was a great watch! You made 3 creative and tasty meals - a culinary success I would say. Everything I love about Budget Challenges! 👏👏👏👏👏

  • @martynehook590
    @martynehook590 10 місяців тому +14

    Thanks for another great video - I find these budget ones really helpful for opening my mind and thinking more deeply about what could be possible with stuff I have left in the fridge and pantry, and coming up with something not immediately obvious. Excellent inspiration!

    • @martynehook590
      @martynehook590 10 місяців тому +1

      also, I would love and adore to see you try a fiver, 2 days, 2 people in a similar way and similar rules as todays video

    • @wmoule
      @wmoule 10 місяців тому

      A curry is always a safe bet to throw left over stuff into. Or a Stew.

  • @anneackland8699
    @anneackland8699 10 місяців тому +6

    That 'waste' box was amazing...
    We don't have anything like that here in Holland ☹️

    • @traceymoores218
      @traceymoores218 10 місяців тому

      Haven’t seen anything like it here in Australia either…. Unless I’m missing something…?

  • @jorisschekkerman1391
    @jorisschekkerman1391 10 місяців тому +2

    I loved this video. I don't really care about the difficulty of the challenge what i most enjoy out of these kind of video's is seeing the creativity with the ingredients as it inspires me to cook more without set recipe's. A harder challenge reduces the change a delicious recipe gets created so i don't mind a more lax budget at all

  • @Mookii
    @Mookii 10 місяців тому

    This was the best budget video. £5 for two people for one day was hard enough to have to think carefully about what to get, but not as restraining that you're stuck with the same products. I liked that you tried the too good to go and gave it a go without subjecting Jenny to it.
    That salad looked delicious and I liked the idea with short pickling the cucumber. It'll help me with utilising any reductions I see on my shops.

  • @esclave29
    @esclave29 10 місяців тому +9

    Omg those chicken muffins with the soup! My mouth is actually watering haha it looks so good! I would absolutely devour those chicken sandwiches 🤤
    Also I am laughing so hard at you and Jenny's back and forth "yeah" conversation 😂

  • @Jhud69
    @Jhud69 10 місяців тому +3

    That's a pretty impressive haul. Lidl is also a budget favorite in Poland, their store brand items are genuinely better than the originals at times. Man, I remember during some Asian week ages ago they had these wasabi chips that were amazing. They weren't just spicy, they also had a nice sweetness to them as well as potato flavor.
    Also, with cucumbers you should try Polish "salad" called mizeria - it's just cut cucumber with cream or yogurt and salt and some chives/green onions. With optional splash of lemon juice or vinegar. I know cucumbers taste weird to you but I wonder if it woul work.

  • @annieclaire2348
    @annieclaire2348 10 місяців тому

    Excited to see this second part! Excellent value in the Lidl veggie and fruit box!!!

  • @megsmith6758
    @megsmith6758 3 місяці тому

    Those muffin pizzas honestly looked delicious - it’s amazing how creative you are! It’s nice being able to see you make meals without too much restriction

  • @infamoussphere7228
    @infamoussphere7228 9 місяців тому +6

    It was truly impressive the amount of food you were able to get from Lidl vs the "too good to go" bags! I wish we had plain chicken wings at Lidl here in Finland - Finns are really really into pre-seasoned meat so the only plain chicken I can get at Lidl (or almost any shop, really) is drumsticks, breast and thigh fillets. Not even whole chickens.
    I've never gotten one of those veggie boxes because it's often way too many vegetables for just the two of us and sometimes it's really heavy in stuff I don't want, like swedes. But maybe I've just never gone early enough in the day.

    • @EmmaHope88
      @EmmaHope88 6 місяців тому

      Supposedly, they put these boxes, or in our case bags, out at around 10am. However, the only time I've gotten one was at 6.15pm on a Wednesday. Thankfully, we have pre-seasoned and unseasoned chicken at Lidl.

  • @JStamato
    @JStamato 10 місяців тому +6

    Great video, would like to see the same budget but for 2 days. One extra rule: NO BAKED BEANS!

    • @gnomoblu8015
      @gnomoblu8015 10 місяців тому

      ... how about chickpeas ... ;)

    • @JStamato
      @JStamato 10 місяців тому

      @@gnomoblu8015 Do you mean that you want him to use chickpeas or you want him to ban chickpeas?

  • @sarahorme1200
    @sarahorme1200 10 місяців тому

    This was fantastic! A very realistic budget meal! Loved watching you be creative!

  • @tanyalalonde733
    @tanyalalonde733 9 місяців тому +1

    This 2- part series really shows the difference when you by ready foods vs cooking from scratch....every thing looked amazing!

  • @ZsClawed
    @ZsClawed 10 місяців тому +22

    You can tell pops was trying extra hard to please the missus 😅 everything you made looked delicious! ❤

    • @jeanniemullinder9038
      @jeanniemullinder9038 5 місяців тому

      Yes its sad isn't it ? she never seems appreciative or grateful, frankly, I wouldn't bother !!

  • @thirdwolf6439
    @thirdwolf6439 6 місяців тому +3

    I would love to see a challenge where you to try to make one meal for like 10 people on £5. We can call it the Bilbo challenge after the Hobbit where 13 dwarves and a wizard showed up and you have to feed them.

  • @caffeinatedengineer7993
    @caffeinatedengineer7993 10 місяців тому

    This was one of my favorite ones you've done. It was very realistic!

  • @neilburns3614
    @neilburns3614 10 місяців тому

    Essential Shrimp-related content. One of my favourite channels on the platform. Thanks, Shrimp.

  • @cesiumverbal102
    @cesiumverbal102 10 місяців тому +5

    the sweetza's are almost like a danish or another type of pastry. if brie was on sale it would be AMAZING. 5 pounds (about 6:50 USD) a day is a budget a lot of a people may have to live on and people dont even think of that. this is a really good guide and a show of how to make meals that fill you on a budget. i'm not sure if the USA, despite having lidl in SOME places, has waste not box.... but if they dont i want to try and convince them to have such a thing. such a great value for people who may not be very well off.

    • @scal2025
      @scal2025 10 місяців тому

      This was my thought as well, brie would be fantastic on these, or chevre, ricotta, cream cheese, etc.

    • @HiruS22
      @HiruS22 10 місяців тому

      Stilton even better!