Store cupboard challenge

esmf73

I know what you mean - we're having some weird concoctions here this month. Last night I made apple pie with frozen apples from the freezer and filo pastry! Tonight I have got out the left overs of a piece of beef that we had ages go (it is cooked) so we'll have that with some home made chips and whatever salad-y stuff is left in the fridge!

I've given my eldest chocolate spread sandwiches to take to school today (it is a friday only treat) and my youngest is having the left overs of whatever we have in the fridge. Although I find it frustrating on days that I've not got enough time to think about meals, I also find it quite challenging and fun. Especially as I have to make the meals seem appetising for the boys!

LittleBit_2

Yep I think we will be having some weird concoctions too. We seem to have quite a lot of food, I'm just not sure how to turn it into meals...

LittleBit_2

Oh, we also have a couple of things in the fridge. 4 yoghurts, some butternet squash for DS2, remnants of last nights tea for my lunch, and some cheese slices :rotfl:

falady

Some meal ideas for you.....

1. Chinese chicken and sauce with boiled rice / home made egg fried rice (if you have any eggs and spalsh of soy sauce)
2. Mince pie, roast potatoes and peas
3. Spaghetti bolognese made with frozen mince, tinned tomatoes, and any veg you've got hanging round - best to include some onion.
4. Chilli con carne using beef mince, tinned kidney beans, tinned tomatoes. Serve with boiled rice.
5. Pancakes made with plain flour, milk, an egg etc.
6. Chicken stir fry using frozen chicken, frozen stir fry veg, and some soy sauce and a bit of sesame oil if you've got it. Serve with boiled rice / HM egg fried rice.
7. Cheese and onion pie / sausage roll heated through in the oven, served with potatoes and frozen peas.
8. Corned beef hash using tinned corned beef, some onions and potatoes
9. Fruit crumble for puddings - using tinned fruit for the base and plain flour, sugar and some butter / marg for the topping.
10. Cheese and bacon quiche with HM potato wedges and peas / whatever other veg or salad you have hanging around.

Hope thats enough to get you started.

Stuff you could buy to help:

- potatoes
- onions
- butter/marg (for crumble, baking and toast)
- soy sauce (for chinese dishes)
- sesame oil (for chinese dishes)
- eggs (will help with egg fried rice and baking for treats)
- breakfast stuff? eg bread for toast, cereal, milk etc

Hope that helps!

Ali x

PasturesNew

Use up that tin of chicken soup you hate, by making a pasta bake and using it as the sauce part. Chuck in whatever else you like in a pasta bake and bob's your uncle.

lightisfading

Look up a recipe for falafel - using those chick peas. Serve in pittas with whatever fresh salad-y veg you have to hand.

Use lentils, mince, beans, veg + tinned tomatoes + seasonings (you have chilli powder, right? then a combination of cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper and herbs) to make a big pot of chilli. One night with rice, then freeze/refridgerate and have with jacket potatoes and a bit of cheese.

Make a basic pasta sauce (sauteed onions, tinned toms, whatever seasonings you have) and stir in tuna, mix into pasta. If you have it add sweetcorn and/or cheese and grill.

Stew - fry off onions, add boiling water, stock cubes, and pieces of potato and carrot. Simmer til those are getting soft and add beans and whatever veg you have to hand; we've used green beans, frozen veg, peas, sweetcorn, celery, peppers, etc etc. Your pearl barley is good in this too, but i can't remember how long to cook it as OH refuses to eat it! Use your suet to make dumplings - i *think* its 2oz suet, 4oz self raising flour, and water to bind - but check those!!. I add LOTS of dried herbs. Then dump on top of your stew 20 mins before it's ready and simmer til they go all 'poofy' yum yum yum yum yum.... Add bread and butter for extra bulk if you need it.

exlibris

PasturesNew wrote: »

Use up that tin of chicken soup you hate, by making a pasta bake and using it as the sauce part. Chuck in whatever else you like in a pasta bake and bob's your uncle.

You could also use it as a sauce for chicken pieces with any veg you have.

windowshopper100

You could make a kedgeree with the kippers. Get some eggs like falady suggested, add some frozen peas. Have you a bit of curry powder?

Wrap the rainbow trout in some foil, make sure its a loose fit with space on top - like a tent. Add some liquid, bit of white wine is nice, or some lemon juice, water if push comes to shove. Just a couple of tbsp. If you can put some sliced lemon and/or herbs and S&P in the fish, that would be good too. Bake in a hot (180) for about 15-20 mins. Unwrap, take the skin off and remove the fillets, unless you like it whole. Serve with some cous cous salad (cous cous with some tomatoes, cucumber, spring onion).

Did someone mention tuna pasta bake? You could turn the 2 slices of ww bread into breadcrumbs to sprinkle on top for some crunch.

little_girl_lost

Im hoping one of you storecupboard supremos can help me, ive got loads of things that dont go together and I cant find any inspiration seems like other peoples basic empty cupboard is my full one *embarrassed*

Maybe if I make a list of what i have someone could suggest something?

Table salt
Olive oil
Soy sauce
Chilli Flakes
Oregano
Tabasco
Chili powder
Season All
Tumeric
5 spice
Paprika
Cumin
(All dried)

Long Grain Rice
Dried Egg Noodles
Small Jar Dolmio
1 tin Veg soup
Mock Duck in Tin - OH bought from chinese supermarket - what the hell are you meant to do with it
2 cans pinto beans

Milk
Margarine
Mayo
Ketchup
BBQ Sauce
Green Apples

In the freezer

Oven Chips
Frozen Peas
Ice lolly from 1984 :P lol

Hope someone can help or im going hungry lol

startingagain_2

Okay....the Great £150 Storecupboard Challenge....

I usually spend around £400 - £450 per month on groceries....my challenge is to see how long I can make £150 last by using everything I can from my cupboards, fridge, freezer and garden (herbs only at the moment but hoping to increase over the next year).

My initial target is a period of six weeks....:eek: 11th July to 22nd August....please feel free to join in!!:D

Here comes week one: Menus and Ingredients.....stuff i have had to buy will be in red...storecupboard/freezer/fridge & garden all in black!!

Sunday:
Leg of Lamb studded with garlic and rosemary, then browned in plenty of olive oil, add 2 tins tomatoes, 2 sliced onions and roast in a medium slow oven for several hours until meat is very tender. Remove meat and save sauce for tomorrow. Serve meat with a selection of veg and mashed potatoes.

Monday:
Pasta served with yesterdays lamb sauce and homemade foccacia bread with capers and black olives

Tuesday:
Lamb curry made from leftover lamb, leftover potatoes curry paste, onions and leftover veg served with naan bread, chutneys and yoghurt and mint raita

Wednesday:
Millet and nut burgers made from fresh herbs, cooked millet, toasted hazel and brazil nuts served with potato wedges and red cabbage marmalade (red cabbage, balsamic vinegar, onions, brown sugar and chilli)

Thursday:
Beetroot soup made from beetroot, onion, carrot, celery, garlic and apple with apple muffins made with apple, flour, cornmeal, baking powder, maple syrup and soya milk

Friday:
Cabbage beans and rice made from green cabbage, onion, garlic, arborio rice, vegetable boullion and kidney beans

Saturday:
Mediterranean Tarts made from puff pastry, jar of red peppers, garlic, tomatoes, basil and red onion served with crushed garlic potatoes (olive oil, garlic, sea salt) and green beans

So, that is week one....no cash spent yet!!!:A:j