Self sufficiency is not just about making and doing the basic necessities of life for ourselves. It’s about doing the things we want as well. The treats, the special occasions, the alternatives to spending alot of money we may not have. Finding ways to avoid food fatigue, while at the same time not running to the supermarket or corner store for pre made equivalents.

One of my favourite ways of using up random past their best vegetables and scraps in the fridge or freezer is by making our own spring rolls. At the Chinese restaurant we use the most they have just put a minimum order limit on deliveries of £20 with a £3.50 delivery fee which is an awful lot for people who only usually want a serve of 2 Spring Rolls (£4.30) and a Serve of Mixed Battered Balls (£7) with extra Curry Sauce (£2) . Yes, yes, I know it’s a very “British” order but everything else I make myself so I kind of am wary of many “chinkies” as they make food for the local palette and not (for the most part) in the traditional way. Sooooo we end up ordering what they are good at when we want to put our feet up and not worry about cooking and need a deep fried hit of something.

Oh side note “chinkies” is a term used here in the UK for a Chinese takeaway or restaurant it is no different than saying that they are going for an “Indian”. Also “curry” is used very loosely to apply to anything with a bit of spice so you could end up in a Mexican restaurant having chili after being told you were being taken out for a “curry”. Local Colloquialism that is not meant as offence but is normal language in this country.

We have also noticed that they have started making them with more and more Bean Sprouts and less and less other ingredients and flavour. Not only with our bills becoming an issue and not having that kind of money to spend as often as we did we didn’t want to feel like we were missing out.

Which is one issue others seem to have with people who are struggling.

“How dare you enjoy yourselves!!!”

Which is a pretty awful attitude to have. Everyone deserves a treat and to have a good time and be happy in life. Just because they are having challenges doesn’t mean they are less entitled to a life rather than an existence. What it does mean is that sometimes we have to get creative.

Now I have been called “cheap” before. I prefer frugal. Well at least for the most part. At other times I can be downright spendy and rather a bit more than generous at the detriment of everything else. Ahhh ADHD thou art a wicked minx !!! However it does mean on the times when I am paying for being a bit more spendy than I should have then thats when I have to get inventive and Miss Frugal comes to play. If you can imagine a stern old school mistress that looks rather like Professor MacGonagal but without the mischievous glint, completely all business even behind closed doors, that’s her.

Now for me it’s all very well being spendy etc but when I want to have a spoil and I can’t because Miss Frugal is on the prowl then using leftovers and past their best leftover veg is definitely the best way to go. I tend to always keep a pack or two of spring roll wrappers of different sizes in the freezer as I don’t get to go out to the Chinese grocery very often so make the most of it when I do. Last time I purchased them they were £2.10 and the price really hasn’t changed much for a pack of 30.

With the veg I used and how much it would’ve cost me to replace it …. less than £4 and the meat was leftovers so nothing really. So for around £7 I made 22 Spring Rolls this time. We had 6 for dinner, Tanny has some for his tea tonight and we have another 12 for the freezer. I also cut the remaining Spring Roll wrappers in quarters so I could use them for something else another time.

Some places are charging £1.50 EACH For premade spring rolls and none of them are anywhere near the size of ours. I probably need to learn how to roll them a little tighter but that comes with time so I am not that worried.

So the recipe is below and the video below that so please do enjoy.

INGREDIENTS

1 Pack Spring Roll Wrappers

2 Carrots, cut into thin matchsticks

1 Pepper/ Capsicum, cut into thin matchsticks

2-3 Cups Bean Sprouts

3 Sticks Celery, cut thinly

1/3 Large Cucumber, cut into thin matchsticks

1/4 Small White Cabbage, cut into thin shreds

1 Onion or 4 Spring Onions, any colour, cut into thin slices

8 Mushrooms, sliced very thinly

2 Cups leftover cooked Prawns, Sliced thinly

4 Cups, cooked Chicken, Pork or Beef

2 Cups leftover Ham, Bacon or Gammon, cut into small dice.

2 Tablespoons Flour

1/2 Cup Water

METHOD

Mix the flour and water together to make a slurry. Set aside.

Mix all veg together in a large bowl.

Mix all meat together in a separate bowl.

Take one spring roll wrapper and place it in front of you with a corner facing you.

Place one handful of the vegetables on the wrapper around a thumbs distance from the top of the wrapper.

Place a Tablespoon of the meat (if you are using them) on the vegetables.

Pull the top of the wrapper over the ingredients and pull it in firmly.

Drizzle the closest 2 edges of the wrapper to you with the flour and water mix.

Fold over the sides in the the middle.

Pull into a roll and make sure to press the edges down properly.

Continue rolling each one this way until you either run out of wrappers or run out of ingredients in the bowls.

Cook on a medium to high deep dry temp until golden brown. Serve with your favourite sauces.

To Freeze:- Place each spring roll uncooked on a baking tray in a single layer.

Place in the freezer and freeze.

Place the now frozen spring rolls into a freezer container of your choice.

These can cook from frozen they will take a good 5-7 minutes.

Oh and yes you can cook them in the oven or in the air fryer, we prefer not to but it is possible.

For oven 220C/ 440f / Gas Mark 8 for around 10 minutes or 20 from frozen.