Store cupboard challenge

Lalaladybird

I have just bought my Christmas grocery shopping, I have so much food in the house now that if I am careful and inventive I am hoping to make it last until February.

I am going to sit down with my receipt and plan all the food we will eat until then....breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks! I will report back later with my ideas, tips and menu plan.

Does anyone want to join me in this challenge?

Hardup_Hester

I'll join in Lala, I'm sure I have enough.

purpleivy

This is a great idea, except that I haven't bought stuff in for Christmas! LOL! I guess this would theoretically put me at a disadvantage, but in practice I am well stocked at the moment.

I will give it a go, but I'll have to get fruit/veg/dairy.

Will sit and do a plan in the next day or two.

Bunny200

Thats exactly what happened to me last year, got to the New Year and still had a freezer full and was spending waaay too much money on shopping, so did an inventory of the freezer and did a menuplan for the whole of january and just had to buy fresh stuff. Saved loads, eat better and never looked back, I've done a menuplan every month this year and its been great. This year though because I always know whats in the freezer we've eaten it all and now the freezer is just full of the food required for xmas so can't join you but have already done Jan menu plan with Turkey Hash a few times!!!!!!!!

[Deleted User]

I have already worked it out that I only have to buy milk and maybe some fresh veggies for January.My dd's always buy far too much stuff in and end up giving it to me as they know I will virtually never throw anything out that I can use. My normal £50.00 per month GC in January will have hopefully quite a bit left over by February. Excellant idea though Lala and I will be definitely in with you on this one .I am still trying to eat my way through my freezer stock. Plus of course I never venture too far when the weather is very cold as my joints won't work too well. What I save on food I shall probably spend on heating bills

Fruball

Oooh I was only talking about this to Mr Frugal this morning!!! He did our Xmas shop last night and it was over £200 so it better last!!

I was aiming for the 3rd week in Jan but our freezer is full and cupboards bursting so I reckon, as a challenge, I could make it last til Feb.

Will need to pick up milk and fresh fruit along the way but have loads of fruit frozen too!

I'll enjoy this challenge I haven't done one yet so this is my first

jacci45

Great idea-Im in please!!!

Hope you all have a lovely Christmas.

xxxx

OrkneyStar

I decided it was more money saving NOT to do such a big shop in the first place! (in fact all in, for Christmas stuff, and normal food over the festive week, has been no more than about £40-45) So, I can't really join in. We are fairly well stocked up but not so that it would last that long! Good luck though.

purpleivy

Are we expecting that there will be lots of good offers on in January? If so, I could use January's Grocery ££ to stock up on bargains.

Lalaladybird

Ok, I've jotted down what I have available to make meals from ....

Breakfasts....will be very repetitive but cheap and healthy:o

Porridge (made with water and milk powder :rolleyes:)
Value branflakes
Toast and jam
Breakfast muffins (will post recipe if anyone wants it)

Lunches...HM soup features a lot:rolleyes:. (I will batch cook and freeze in portions and that will take care of one of our 5 a day:D and stop my veggies going off). Leftovers from dinners aren't yet listed but will feature;).

lentil soup
creamy carrot soup
carrot and parsnip soup
celery soup
!!!! a leekie soup
tuscan tomato and bean soup

will serve with HM scones

hummous on toast
french toast
frittata/tortilla
quiche and salad
baked potato and cheese and beans
pesto pasta

Turkey/chicken and stuffing sandwiches


Dinners....everything listed here will be served up twice (I'll freeze half for another day)

Tuna pasta bake
Salmon fish cakes
Chicken risotto
Moroccan chick pea tagine
Fish fingers, broccoli and new pots
Shepherds pie
HM pizza with peppers, onions...?
Meatloaf
Spaghetti carbonara
pasta pangrattata (a JM recipe that uses up stale bread )
special fried rice (whatever little bits of meat and veg I have stir fried in rice with chinese flavours mmmm)
chow mein with leftover cashew nuts from Christmas

That is what I've worked out so far based on what I have but I will be back with my progress, struggles and need for ideas and support no doubt:rotfl:

Lala x