Store Cupboard Ingredients

Gingham_Ribbon

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0688109616/102-8279425-9485743?v=glance

This book is well worth a read for anyone who is thinking about how to make Christmas more how they'd like it to be, and less stressful.

chaliepud

Just wondering what everyones core store cupboard ingredients are? I spend a ridiculous amount on food each month (don't ask - you would faint!) and although we eat pretty healthily I would like to make more of my own stuff, time permitting (3 kids, 3 dogs and working part time). Everytime I look at a recipe there is something I don't have, and it is hardly money saving to drive to the shops for one herb/vinegar/spice! Stuff that keeps for a long time would obviously be helpful.

Many thanks

Hayley

Gingham_Ribbon

Hiya Chaliepud.

There's quite a lot on this one, so I'll give you a couple of links to start you off and merge your thread to another one so all the answers are together. you'll need to read from the beginning as the replies will be in date order.

Have fun!

Linkie

Linkie 2

chaliepud

Thanks for that Gingham, I hadn't seen that post! Will start getting inspiration .......NOW!

GardenMillie

Always have in tinned tomatoes, pasta and tinned tuna, as with some of the other money savers I keep cheese in the fridge so there is always something for a basic dish.

I did the storecupboard challenge in June, reduced my weekly food shop by loads and made up some delicious meals which I then froze in portions - tonight for tea, chilli with rice and tortilla chips (the value ones from Tesco).

CaptxVoid

Some canned products look cheaper than what they contain , going to list some & try to work out how this works . Asda's Mushy peas 15p. makes very good pea & ham soap. Asda's New potatoes also 15p use for potato salad . condensed milk now £1.00 add to cream freeze = ice cream . just a few examples . Similar smart price flour 45p add baking soda & smart price yoghourt = soda bread . Can't see any profit here for Asda must be missing something .

Any

The main things that keep and I buy in bulk (ie not eggs, milk and bread for example) and ALWAYS have in.

Tinned tomatoes
Baked beans
Heinz tomato soup (OH's emergency food)
Spaghetti
Red kidney beans
Paprika (as in spice)
Italian seasoning
Chilli
Rice
Cous cous

I have to say I have absolutely cupboard full of stuff, but these are things that I don't just pick up according to meal planner, these are ALWAYS in and if they run out I go to Costco or check any offers around and shop in bulk.

Then things that I have in most of the time like:
anchovies in oil (used in cooking sometimes instead of salt)
Corned beef
Coconut milk
Full collection of knorr and oxo cubes
fish sauce
soy sauce
sardines in oil (again, OH's emergency food)

Any

chaliepud wrote: »

Just wondering what everyones core store cupboard ingredients are? I spend a ridiculous amount on food each month (don't ask - you would faint!) and although we eat pretty healthily I would like to make more of my own stuff, time permitting (3 kids, 3 dogs and working part time). Everytime I look at a recipe there is something I don't have, and it is hardly money saving to drive to the shops for one herb/vinegar/spice! Stuff that keeps for a long time would obviously be helpful.

Many thanks

Hayley

It is a challenge, but unless you eat fairly boringly you will always have this situation, so the best thing to do is to MEAL PLAN.
I try and meal plan 5 our "normal" foods, one WTHG (what the house gives - ie throw something together) and 1 brand new recipe. I shop according to this list then you always have the right spices in.
The recipes we like then over time become our "normal" dinners too

This way you also build spice cupboard over time, without not having the right spice in at the right time...

I am not meticulous planner as some on here, I have the 1 day allowed "slippage" for leftovers, fancy something else or fancy a take out which gives me a space to move the rest of the "plan" around. I find this works for me - I hate going to the shops more then I need to!!