Mardathas meal planning thread

bluenose1

I actually sorted out my tins cupboard last night cos of this thread - 8 tins of mushroon soup???
(I would have guessed at 2) I also found loads of tins of fruit that I had forgotten about. Will use it up with ice-cream after evening meals for OH and kids.
Anyway I now feel a little more organised.

Did try to do the freezer as well but my hands got too cold and I lost my impetus. Might try again tomorrow.

GardenMillie

I agree with most of the other posts - I did a big food audit listing everything in my cupboards and freezer then started meal planning - what a difference it made to my weekly grocery shop. I do like to go at least once a week to stock up on fresh fruit and veg but I am using up stuff in the freezer at a rate of knots which is a great feeling.

I also moved things around in the kitchen and moved the food to a smaller cupboard to help avoid of the temptation of over-buying. It's really easy to wander round Mr T with my iPod on and randomly chuck stuff in the trolley. Five packets of cous cous later:rotfl:

marri_lou

mags50 wrote: »

Oh I'm so sorry...but I'm laughing out really loud at this :rotfl::rotfl:
I think I must be one of the lucky ones...hubby only has the occasional whinge if there's no chocolate in the house...but thats about all.... I really do feel sorry for all you lot with your yoghurty hubbies... :rotfl:

---

Have just re-read this...hope I haven't offended anyone with what I put down...it was meant in the nicest possible way...it cheered me up on a horrible snow-bound evening.... I think it was your way of writing...it just sounded so comical

Oh no offence taken at all! He's a pain!

Trinny

fuzzyfelt wrote: »

Sausages & Rice = Sausage Jambalaya - You can chuck different things into this, depending on what you have lurking in the fridge /freezer. Fry off an onion, some garlic and a pinch of chilli (cajun spice is nice also) until soft. I add chopped peppers, frozen sweetcorn and peas (or whatever I have that needs using). Then I add a some tinned toms and reduce down a little. Then I add some cooked rice to this and sliced up cooked sausage. A dash of worcester or tabasco, along with some S&P livens this up nicely!

Sausages & Pasta = Pasta with lovely ragu style sauce - split skins of sausage and fry off meat with plenty garlic and onion , then add a splash of red wine, some tinned toms and some herbs (thyme, rosemary or sage would be nice). Simmer until reduced, add seasoning and serve over pasta. Yum!

"Maccheroni con la salsiccia e le carote" is an authentic sausage pasta recipe that is a family favourite in our house. Its basically the recipe above - but you fry the onions, then brown the sausage meat - breaking it up with a fork. Then you add three grated carrots - cook for a few mins. After which you add tinned chopped tomatoes, 4floz chicken stock ( oxo cube disolved will do the job) a bay leaf and some oregano if you have them - and then cook in a covered pan on low for 30mins. Mean while cook and drain pasta - mix with sauce when ready and serve - with grated cheese on top if you want.

My OH loves it - this is also good for using the whoops packs of sausage meat after christmas. I usually buy sausage meat when reduced to clear and stash it in the freezer so i can make this on the cheap

Good luck

Trin

lekale

I am loving the advice in this thread, there is only me and OH but we spend a fortune on food. My problem comes from shopping daily almost for that evenings food so it is so easy to pick up extras. I have become so aware of what I am spending recently so the tips on this thread are going to be very useful. Thank you!

jinky67

I would like to thank you all for your advice re sausages BUT......I really dont like tomato sauces:o:o

BUT i really do need to get my freezer stuff sorted out, so this week we are eating from there come Hell or high water, and if they dont like it tough:D

zippychick

Just read this whole thread and giggled at the hiding food., When me and my brother lived at home my Mum always had to hide stuff from him. Hes 6-4 and couldnt have one of anything. I think the most extreme hiding place was the boot of her car for tins of coke, biscuits, crisps,etc ! Also under the stairs, her wardrobe as well. I was allowed to know where it was because i was more disciplined.

RAS

mardatha wrote: »

I tried online shopping and liked it - it helps me cut things down, but he has decided he likes going into the shop. I get so tired after the first few aisles that I start to long for sudden death.
I tried going one day later per week, but that cracks him up and he starts screaming about his bloody yoghurts.

Maratha

It is not just about yoghurts. You live miles out of town and so this weekly shop is the best excuse for a regular visit. Even if it is not formally a social event, in a small town, you must meet loads of folks that you know as you go round town.

Anyway you can organise the weekly social fix and still shop on-line for the main purchases?

It may mean acknowledging that going to town once a wekk is a GOOD THING even if you do not absolutely have to for trading purposes.

Cazza

Can I ask a quick off topic question???? What involves sausages and rice and isn't spicy? I have a picky flatmate and I'm trying to create enough dinners from the freezer and cupboards to last through until late Tuesday evening for the cheap Tesco delivery slot!

mandragora_2

Have you cooked the sausages yet? If not, de-skin them and make them into little 'patty' style burger rounds; they can then be dusted with flour and fried - finely sliced onions & herbs in the patty or not, as you wish; serve with potatoes (or rice!) abd a sauce or gravy - unsweetened apple sauce as a nice side-dish if you have any appples kicking round in the freezer or mouldering in the fruit bowl.