meal planning - where do i start?

Sarahsaver

Probably sometimes, but not always, but they would be better quality.
Here I can get a huge bowl full of grapes from the market for £1, most fruits 3lb for £1. I get an organic veg delivery once a fortnight for under a tenner.
At least if you go to a butcher they will have different cuts and cheaper stuff like pork hock, lamb shoulder, belly pork and so on.

by the way I should have said welcome to the site as you are a newbie;) There is plenty of advice and help here, you have come to the right place.

ashlea170706

just wanna thank sarahsaver! as you know im new just wondered if someone can direct me to which part of the forum i have to go on to get all the recipes and peoples money saving ideas when shopping for food i was on it earlier but cannot remember how to get bk there thanks ash

frugallass

we've been planning meals / shopping for a few months and it makes a huge difference in the price and the amount of waste - we write the days down, then choose the meals as a family, then write the shopping list from the menu - we never buy anything to put in the freezer anymore (in fact we got rid of the freezer!)

Example:
Mon Fish Pie
Tues Chilli and Rice
Wed Jacket Spuds and Tuna

List
Fish, Potatoes, Sweetcorn, mince, chilli sauce, tuna

ashlea170706

also can anyone give me the basic way of making a stew chilli and curry i know it sounds silly but i need to know some basics first! i love cooking but dont know where to start! thanks ash x

lil_me

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=235198

Indexed collections of recipes, shopping things etc etc all in there. Always at the top of the forum in Old style just under where it says 'START HERE'.

Many recipes also online, if you search on google or any other search engine, type in you want to cook and the word 'recipe' and it'll bring up plenty, then choose one to suit what you need.

ashlea170706

also can anyone give me the basic way of making a stew,chilli, soup and curry from scratch i know there is alot there but if anyone could just give me one i would be grateful at 19 yrs old not a dab hand in the kichen yet! i know it sounds silly but i need to know some basics first! i love cooking but dont know where to start! thanks ash x

suexxx

I find it hard to plan all week so i tend to shop twice !
mon-Thurs
fri-sun
Then i buy tins/bread/milk etc as well

Spag bol
chilli
lasange...are easy to batchcook as have similar ingredient! add to them garlic bead out of the freezer

We'll have chops one night and chicken another..

one night we'll just have pasta with Ragu left over chicken or tuna

I Usually have one night aweek where i do something new .

i have tried the bulk buying but find it hard !

NickiM

Another website where you put in ingredients and it gives you possible recipes is https://www.cookingbynumbers.com

skintchick

NickiM wrote: »

Another website where you put in ingredients and it gives you possible recipes is www.cookingbynumbers.com

I find that site is pretty basic but can be good at giving you ideas.

What I have done is write a list of all the meals I can cook, divided into main meals and snack meals and puddings, then I look at that each Thursday (shopping day) decide what we will have, write the shopping list of what I don;t have already needed to make those meals, and buy that.

I find this works best for me, and when I learn a new recipe I add it my meals list. that way I don't forget recipes I know, which can sometimes happen.

Of course, if I find a good bargain when shopping I can revise the plan.

suelizab

How do I meal plan when I work long shifts? 3 days a week I leave for work at 06:30 and don't get in 'til 9pm . Every other week I do nights . My daughter has just come home again with her baby who wakes every hour so is exhausted during the day . I fill the freezer and cupboards but she lives on ready meals/microwave . some days I cook properly but others I don't as I'm too tired . I need to cut down on spending and we are also throwing so much food away . I wish I could work 9 til 5 but that's not possible . Sorry to go on .