Recipies for Foodbank

pumpkinlife

Butterfly_Brain wrote: »

A packet of cream crackers or crispbreads might help out as well Instead of chocolate have a jar of jam or marmalade, that can be added to porridge or put on the crackers.

I can see this. Perhaps digestive biscuits would be better, as they can be savory or sweet, a bit less dispiriting. Higher calorie count too. Adding a few more items to the list might be a good idea:

Stock cubes
Sultanas or other cheap dried fruit (snack, add to porridge)
Digestive biscuits
Jam
Instant desserts
Small bottle of oil - adds calories
Multivitamins?


I think that a few tips on how to cook things efficiently would be a good idea.

In the absence of instant noodles as PasturesNew suggested, pasta can be brought to the boil (hob or microwave), simmered for a minute, and left to one side with the lid on (perhaps stirring occasionally) for 10 minutes, instead of boiling for 7 minutes.

Porridge can be made with boiling water and left to one side again, adding more if it gets a bit thick. You can make it with cold too, if you give it at least an hour to soak.

The article had some interesting insights into what a Trussell Trust foodbank will and will not give out and the reasons. God is it a depressing article though:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/jul/18/food-banks-on-hand-outs

chumbasmum

Thank you for all the help and I am really listening to all of the comments.

We have another meeting in a couple of weeks and will reflect and share all of your thoughts.

In terms of the quantities I believe that people do get enough to make 10 meals and the list is a guidline to give to volunteer donours. I am also led to believe that the Trussel trust (who we are signed up to) are suggesting this list.

We won't be giving fresh produce as we don't have the storage but this seems a real downfall on the system. And bread making ingredients also are missing - again an issue.

This is not as simple as it seems....lots to think over.

Stephen_Leak wrote: »

This one of mine immediately comes to mind. I'll see if any others are suitable.

THREE TIN BEEF STEW

Cheap, quick and easy, and also delicious, warming and filling. Useful as an emergency meal, especially if you have no water supply, as it uses the water in the tins. Also useful for camping or caravanning. Not recommended for backpacking, though.

Makes 4 x 250ml bowls

INGREDIENTS

1 tin of stewed steak in gravy
1 tin of carrots or peas in water
1 tin of new potatoes in water

METHOD

Open the tin of steak. Put the steak and gravy into a saucepan.

Open the tin of carrots or peas. Add the carrots or peas and the water to the saucepan.

Open the tin of potatoes. Drain the water into the saucepan. Cut the potatoes into 2cm (1 inch) pieces. Add the potatoes to the saucepan.

Stir thoroughly.

Put the saucepan on a medium heat. Bring to the boil, then turn down the heat until it is just boiling (simmering). Put the lid on the saucepan and continue to cook for 5 minutes until the potatoes are cooked.

ADDITIONS & ALTERATIONS

Use both a tin of carrots and a tin of peas.

Add a beef stock cube.

Add a teaspoon of dried parsley.

TIPS

If any of the potatoes are damaged, mash them up and add them to the saucepan. They will help to thicken the stew.

Butterfly_Brain

Maybe we could all come up with a list of food bank items and recipes that we think will feed a family of four 3 meals x 3 days for £10 or less and see what we come up with, so 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners and maybe a snack every day.

Popperwell

Well simple and quick can be good as said elsewhere the other night I had scrambled eggs, ham, tomatoes and garlic bread(I'm not suggesting that last item for a food bank)but the point is with the desert afterwards I had only spent 70p-80p for a whole meal.

Eggs and milk can do a lot of meals or work if added to other ingredients. They don't take a lot of preperation or energy to cook...and I was well fed.
Own brands and value ranges does not necessarily mean it's rubbish.

A tin of new potatoes at 19p is large and can go a long way(at least towards two meals for one person)so a couple of tins(could serve 4 people)or packets of mash potato(28p)again...

It just needs some thinking over. There are cans of Kidney Beans really cheap and so on...

prepareathome

Stephen_Leak wrote: »

This one of mine immediately comes to mind. I'll see if any others are suitable.

THREE TIN BEEF STEW

Cheap, quick and easy, and also delicious, warming and filling. Useful as an emergency meal, especially if you have no water supply, as it uses the water in the tins. Also useful for camping or caravanning. Not recommended for backpacking, though.

Makes 4 x 250ml bowls

INGREDIENTS

1 tin of stewed steak in gravy
1 tin of carrots or peas in water
1 tin of new potatoes in water

METHOD

Open the tin of steak. Put the steak and gravy into a saucepan.

Open the tin of carrots or peas. Add the carrots or peas and the water to the saucepan.

Open the tin of potatoes. Drain the water into the saucepan. Cut the potatoes into 2cm (1 inch) pieces. Add the potatoes to the saucepan.

Stir thoroughly.

Put the saucepan on a medium heat. Bring to the boil, then turn down the heat until it is just boiling (simmering). Put the lid on the saucepan and continue to cook for 5 minutes until the potatoes are cooked.

ADDITIONS & ALTERATIONS

Use both a tin of carrots and a tin of peas.

Add a beef stock cube.

Add a teaspoon of dried parsley.

TIPS

If any of the potatoes are damaged, mash them up and add them to the saucepan. They will help to thicken the stew.

There are no potatoes mentioned on OPs list and people might not have them in

unimaginative_user_name

prepareathome wrote: »

There are no potatoes mentioned on OPs list and people might not have them in

Tinned potatoes would presumably come under tinned veg.

prepareathome

unimaginative_user_name wrote: »

Tinned potatoes would presumably come under tinned veg.

I didn't presume so as tinned tomatoes are mentioned separately it thought tinned veg would be carrot,s peas, mixed veg, etc. Potatoes usually get a separate mention in lists by organisations and other places.

mumonashoestring

A lot of what's do-able will come down to having picker/packers with a good idea of what a good combination is for one parcel I.e. not giving someone 15 cup-a-soups, two tins of carrots and a pack of biscuits... Once you've got some recipe cards Chumbasmum you might need to put some guides together for your volunteers on what makes a good balanced parcel?

Stephen_Leak

prepareathome wrote: »

I didn't presume so as tinned tomatoes are mentioned separately it thought tinned veg would be carrot,s peas, mixed veg, etc. Potatoes usually get a separate mention in lists by organisations and other places.

A good point. I wasn't aware if this. If the OP advises me that tinned potatoes aren't a supplied item, I shall willingly delete my post, and would ask that those who have quoted it do the same.

Popperwell

Stephen_Leak wrote: »

A good point. I wasn't aware if this. If the OP advises me that tinned potatoes aren't a supplied item, I shall willingly delete my post, and would ask that those who have quoted it do the same.

I don't think that's necessary, we were asked for ideas and if potatoes were not being considered they might be now...