Eating out of the freezer and cupboards challenge - part two

mrssd

I'm back :hello: It all got a bit chaotic since my last post. We had difficulty getting accommodation and good kennelling for the mutt when we went up to Scotland for the funeral and decided to take out caravan with us: it was easier to get on a site and take the dog with us! We also extended our trip, as we had completely forgotten we had a week's holiday booked back down in England with the caravan. So - before leaving - we stocked Joe up with easy meals in his freezer, so he didn't go hungry and then refilled him when we got back and before we left for our holiday. I took a rake of stuff from the food mountain and we lived on that for the best part of our week away. I even managed to use up the long-life and dried milk powder. I also forgot to order an on-line shop for our return...:doh::doh:

The result of all the foregoing is that I've used up so much stuff that I now have one empty freezer and the stockpile of other stuff has been reduced to a dull roar:j:j OK - we have been eating some weird and wonderful meals, but it is all good. I had a huge cooking session early yesterday morning and have made a load of meals for us and Joe to use up the rest of the casserole meats that were lurking in the bottom of the freezer, and made a GALLON (yes: a gallon) of soups to use up Joe's courgettes . Courgette soup is wonderful and can also be eaten cold. They also make a fabulous minestra soup as well. Do courgettes ever stop growing? When I took the stuff round to Joe early yesterday evening, he asked me if I could use a few more, so I said I would take a few and make him some courgette fritters this morning, which I've done. All he has to do is spread them on an oven tray and heat until the required texture he likes is achieved. I'll take these around shortly and get some raspberries and tomatoes from him. The mutt loves tomatoes, but have to be careful not to give him too many. Did you know that a couple of raspberries will relieve a constipated dog? OK, I'm waffling now!:o

Nice to see so many newbies and revivers of accounts on here: A big welcome to you all. A special welcome to soworried, as your itinerary looks almost as bad as mine did, but thanks to all the lovely people on here, I have now (kind of) got my stocks under control. I plan on doing the kitchen cupboards today, but they are not too bad. At least everything is less than a year old. I know that because I had everything out at Christmas looking for the turkey baster! I never did find it.

So. I am glad to be back and I promise not to waffle too much in future.

Hopeless_Case

Welcome back mrssd :wave: - and good progress on the clear-out!

I think the courgettes will go on forever :p - I've just had them for breakfast (Left over from last night, cooked with mushrooms and paprika and herbs, with a few pine nuts. Just had them in a wrap, delicious )

My freezer is still so full that it's hard to find things, but I've taken out all the blackberries I can find to make jam, and now to pick more to last me over the coming year - and to find room to store them!

Out: 3 small pork medallions, load of blackberries, 2 pieces of homemade fruity soda bread, a corn tortilla wrap
In: Nothing

Flat_Eric

Is it ok to use food products where either the packaging has got damaged in the freezer and the product (eg beef strips have ice crystals on them) (for want of a better description). I also have sandwich chicken that I bought - the same has happened here.


I am determined to make do and use up !

Hopeless_Case

Flat_Eric wrote: »

Is it ok to use food products where either the packaging has got damaged in the freezer and the product (eg beef strips have ice crystals on them) (for want of a better description). I also have sandwich chicken that I bought - the same has happened here.


I am determined to make do and use up !

I do eat food whcih this has happened to, I think that all it would be likely to do would be to spoil the taste/texture a bit, having said that it woud probaby be better to cook the food just in case, which might not work with the sandwhich chicken, but coud you use it for something else?

[Deleted User]

Back home after hip operation so am glad I had prepared in advance. Am using pre-cooked beef mush/chicken mush/jkt potatoes, had plenty of frozen veg and pre-made and frozen soups so thats clearing freezers a little. Used pkts of mash and rice also cheapo pkts of dried pasta meals from Asda - just add boiling water & microwave for lunch. Still have plenty of food but not allowed to bend to get from lower shelves yet so rely on friends and family to get that stuff out. Halogen still a little heavy to lift lid but will soon be OK. Slow Cooker a godsend as is the microwave. Soon be able to check scales :eek:

caronc

Glad the op went well whmf!


Those with an excess of courgettes/garden veg might like this recipe.


Allotment Slice (serves 4)
2-3 medium courgettes grated and squeezed to remove excess water (or diced cooked potatoes)
½ lb mixed veg chopped small (if using frozen defrost first and drain any liquid)
Handful chives or a few spring onions finely chopped
Sliced tomatoes to top
4oz grated cheddar
4-6oz cooked ham or bacon diced (optional)
6 eggs
¼ pint milk
Chopped parsley (optional)
Salt & pepper

Mix all the veg bar the tomatoes, the ham, the parsley and half the cheese thoroughly.
Whisk the eggs with the milk and salt & pepper, combine well with the veg mix.
Grease and line a small roasting tin
Pile mix in the tin and spread evenly. Top with sliced tomatoes and remaining cheese. Bake at 170C for 30 !!!8211; 40 mins until the middle is just set. Allow to cool in the tin for 10-15 mins before slicing. Delicious warm or cold.

caronc

In: nothing
Out: cupasoup, mash

Used up: sweetcorn, 2 courgettes, brambles, cucumber

mrssd

Ooh! Blackberry jam is my favourite. OH can't eat it as it plays havoc with his top set! All the more for me, as life is too short to make him a seedless one.

mrssd

whmf00001 wrote: »

Back home after hip operation...

Hope your recovery means you will soon be back to firing on all four cylinders, whmf0001.

mrssd

caronc wrote: »

Those with an excess of courgettes/garden veg might like this recipe.
Allotment Slice (serves 4)

What a great recipe, caronc - and one I haven't come across before. I have leftover ham from yesterday and everything else to make this and will do so later today/tonight for lunch tomorrow with the [STRIKE]gannets [/STRIKE]grandkids. I'll also make a small one for Joe. Thanks.