Meal Planning - how do you do it?

maman

cagneuk wrote: »

Hi,

Hope you don't mind me joining in but I'm new to this whole planning and cooking malarky. But with an ever decreasing bank balance and a growing family (not to mention waistline), it's about time I changed from takeaways to careful cooking. I don't have a slow cooker or a chest freezer so working with standard 4 drawer freezer and oven.
Can anyone tell me, if I make things like bolognese, chilli, beef stew, cottage pie etc, and freeze them, firstly, what should I use to freeze them in (tuppaware, bowls with cling film etc)?? secondly, how long will they last in the freezer, If I make something today and freeze it will it be ok to eat in two weeks time? three weeks? do certain things have shorter shelf life, any foods in particular that don't like to be frozen ?

also is there any thread on this forum you would reccomend I read for other tips on this sort of thing?
Thanks

Cagne

I'm sure you'll get loads of advice but to start you off: To save money, then you can use whatever containers you've got so tupperware is fine but casserole dishes etc are fine too if you've got space and won't miss them. Personally I'm doing portions for two so I use those flat plastic boxes with lids like you get chinese take-away in. You can buy them in packs of 10 in £stretcher. You could just freeze the bolognese sauce and take it out and 'transform' it into lasagne or chilli or cottage pie if you want. It will keep for ages in the freezer, like months rather than weeks. HTH

stingy_rach

Ooh just got back on the internet today after a rather drawn out week - have had a nasty viral infection - and it's all exciting!!:j

Well, quick catch up - Mr T delivered last week and was a little disappointed with the results. A couple of rubbish subs and some shorter dates than I would have liked but all ok. May go myself next month considering I work next to Mr T!!

Have so far made the following:

6 portions chilli
10 portion moussake (eaten 2)
4 portions pork and mushroom pie
5 portions veg curry (seems a little spicy though!)
8 portions beef ragu
4 portions paella

Plus have 2 portions ribs, 2 portions salmon, meatballs and cheese tart to make.

Plus have made brie burgers, goats cheese risotto and thai prawn curry but all eaten thanks to DH and unexpected house guests!

Going to work our way through fresh stuff first i.e. potatoes and non frozen veg then start on freezer. Although, have had to top up shopping already with about £10 on bread, milk etc.:(

Was having a freak out yesterday about whether this is going to work or if I'm going to get to 20th and starve but seems that with lots of people on board I won't get stuck for ideas.:T

Look forward to catching up with the board properly tomorrow as dog training tonight.

stingy_rach

One question though ... have you factored in lunches? Not sure whether anyone is home at that time or whether you take lunch to work but thought I'd mention it.

Also, do you have a recipe for your pork and mushroom pie please? That's the only danger of posting on here .... we will all pick your brains too!!!

P.S I am ashamed to admit that I love Fray Bentos pies (blush)

Hiya

Lunch for me is free from work...shhhhh.. but for DH it's either leftovers or sandwiches, although this can get expensive. On Friday he took a sandwich, two hot cross buns, crisps, choc bar, cereal bar, apple, orange, pear and a sausage roll! Have to ration most days!:eek:

Pork & Mushroom pie isn't really a recipe. I just soften an onion and some garlic, add pork. Fry until sealed and add a spoon of plain flour. Add mushrooms, some thyme and enough stock to just cover. Simmer for about 30-40 mins and finish with s&p and a good glug of cream. I use a puff pastry lid but my nan would kill me! Don't really have quantities as I usually just use leftovers.

Never had a Fray Bentos pie although DH is always going on about them. Maybe I should try?

stingy_rach

Monday 1st - stuffed pepper with potato wedges
Tuesday 2nd - sausage pasta bake with garlic bread
Wednesday 3rd - broccoli and red pepper quiche with potato wedges
Thursday 4th - sweet and sour chicken with rice/noodles
Friday 5th - scampi, chips and peas!
Saturday 6th - chicken and broad bean tagliatelle
Sunday 7th - going out for an indian for my sisters birthday


Monday 8th - beef stew with mashed potato
Tuesday 9th - lemony prawn and pea pasta
Wednesday 10th - egg, chips and beans
Thursday 11th - broccoli and red pepper quiche with chips/wedges
Friday 12th - corned beef crispbake with beans and wedges
Saturday 13th - stuffing and lentil burgers
Sunday 14th - tuna and sweetcorn pasta bake


Monday 15th - fish fingers, chips and peas
Tuesday 16th - sweet and sour chicken with rice/noodles
Wednesday 17th - sausage casserole with cous cous
Thursday 18th - pesto pasta with garlic bread
Friday 19th - sticky lemon chicken with rice
Saturday 20th - sweetcorn and spinach tortilla with potato wedges
Sunday 21st - garlic prawns in coconut cream with rice


Monday 22nd - salsa chicken and cheese tortilla
Tuesday 23rd - chilli sausage sandwich/'bap' with fried onions
Wednesday 24th - chicken korma with rice
Thursday 25th - mexican bean burgers
Friday 26th - southern fried chicken with potato wedges and corn on the cob
Saturday 27th - sausage pasta bake
Sunday 28th - thai chicken cakes with sweet chilli sauce

Wow freakyogre, that is impressive. Can you keep us updated?

freakyogre

rosh12 wrote: »

Wow freakyogre! How come when I do my (rubbish) attempts at monthly shops or batch cooking it's a cucle chilli, fajitas, shepherds pie or curry...? I am in awe of the list of meals you have there!

That's not rubbish! I love chilli etc. but I think because I didn't have a cooker where I used to live and used to use my slow cooker a lot, I got a bit bored of. Plus because there's only me once i've cooked it, i've had to eat it 5 nights in a row (boooooring!) Once I eat some of my current freezer contents I will make up some chilli as then I can have it when I fancy it.

Also, i'm trying to do this as one of my new years resolutions was to try a new recipe each week, so it makes it more interesting attempting new things.

stingy_rach wrote: »

Wow freakyogre, that is impressive. Can you keep us updated?

I will try (watch it go horribly wrong now!) Thank you for starting the thread, I wouldn't have bothered doing it otherwise (and no doubt bought more stuff for the sake of it)

I think it's a bit easier for me as i'm on my own so I don't have to worry about storing numerous servings of each meal. A lot of the stuff on my list I have made already (quiche, stew, casserole, sweet & sour, sausage pasta bake, looooads of potato wedges) so I should have no excuse for not bothering when I get in each night.

I made a list of everything I had yesterday and still have so many things in the cupboards/freezer that need using, so I might have to try this next month as well hoping all goes well.


Could you post your recipe for brie burgers please? They sound yummy!

canidothis

Having read this thread and getting inspired I decided to go and do a big shop at the beginning of Feb, but rather than stock up on food I decided to do a months worth of toiletries and cleaning stuff and 1 week of food shopping - this shop cost me £128, normally I try to only spend £50 a week and Im worried that Ive messed up and wont have enough money for the rest of the month. So I need a plan to stay within budget, Ive read on here that lots of people recommend menu planning to reduce their shopping bill and some people shop for bargains and menu plan around their bargains - my question is how do you stay disciplined when shopping for bargains how do you know you have enough food for 1 week?

Ive just re-read my post and realised that it looks like I must have spent £78 for a months worth of toiletries/cleaning stuff - but thats not quite true as there were a few extra toiletries for xmas pressies (We're having xmas this weekend as I didnt see my dad over the real xmas)

Anyway any help will be gratefully received

thank you :rotfl:

sweetserendipity

Odette wrote: »

Does anyone have a spreadsheet for meal planning? I just sat down trying to do one but Ive had a brainfart and cant work anything good out...hrumph.

Never heard that one before but omg it made me laugh!! :rotfl:

stingy_rach wrote: »

On Friday he took a sandwich, two hot cross buns, crisps, choc bar, cereal bar, apple, orange, pear and a sausage roll! Have to ration most days!:eek:

Hiya stingy, just wondered if you could make flapjack (maybe drizzled with choc to make it more appealing??) or a traybake instead of buying choc bars/cereal bars, not sure if you have those sorts of ingredients already.
Also, how about making a fruit salad instead of hubby taking 3 individual fruits to work. If you made 2 or 3 days worth & put them in the fridge in individual containers (to avoid temptation) I think you could use less fruit that way. Maybe add jelly & that could stretch things even further!! Btw, please feel free to ignore my suggestion if he's eating this amount of fruit to work towards his '5-a-day'

Well done with the challenge, it's definitely something I would like do, just need to get organised/motivated & get rid of the apathy first ...

mummyroysof3

i have 4 of those boil in the bag fish in sauce in the freezer and am fed up of seeing them lol, can i cook them put in pyrex with mash on top and some cheese then put in oven for a while for a simple fish pie? sorry for the silly question but im just not sure

PetuliaGristle

mummyroysof3 sorry, I don't know though hopefully someone will be along soon with the answer.

canidothis, I mealplan monthly and have a Tesco delivery every two weeks. I've found that I keep to the shopping list when shopping online, as there's less opportunity to impulse buy.

Firstly I list what's in the freezer and any store cupboard staples, for example, tinned food, pasta, sauces. Then I make the meal plan aiming for a meat, fish, veggie and roast each week. Finally, I make a shopping list for the next two weeks' meals.

My mealplan isn't set in stone, don't forget that you can always leave a plan-free day each week for bargains, or just change one of your meals.

I recommend taking a look at the weekly mealplans threads, loads of good ideas there. The slow cooker threads are a good inspiration too.

Hope this helps, GirlySquare

canidothis wrote: »

Having read this thread and getting inspired I decided to go and do a big shop at the beginning of Feb, but rather than stock up on food I decided to do a months worth of toiletries and cleaning stuff and 1 week of food shopping - this shop cost me £128, normally I try to only spend £50 a week and Im worried that Ive messed up and wont have enough money for the rest of the month. So I need a plan to stay within budget, Ive read on here that lots of people recommend menu planning to reduce their shopping bill and some people shop for bargains and menu plan around their bargains - my question is how do you stay disciplined when shopping for bargains how do you know you have enough food for 1 week?

Ive just re-read my post and realised that it looks like I must have spent £78 for a months worth of toiletries/cleaning stuff - but thats not quite true as there were a few extra toiletries for xmas pressies (We're having xmas this weekend as I didnt see my dad over the real xmas)

Anyway any help will be gratefully received

thank you :rotfl:

chaosweddings

Hi,
please can i join this thread,
i love batch cooking, i cook lasagna, chilli, shep pie, spag bol, stew, mash, veg (peeled and chopped and put in bags ready to cook, gravy and meatloaf

chaos