February 2014 Grocery Challenge

Make-it-3

I'm the same, I meal plan so I can use stuff up, make up a sensible list and hopefully not get distracted in the supermarket aisle. I'm don't know how anyone can shop just going into a store and then thinking about what they are going to eat.

However its just 7 eve meals, some have assigned nights ie if its something OH will cook it will normally be at the weekend, or we need to have something quick on a particular night, otherwise I see what I fancy cooking from the plan on the day.

Tonight we are having veggie pesto bake, but had to pop out for basil as I forgot to buy this mid-week, so that kicks off my Feb spends. £197.20/£200 remaining.

joedenise

Popped to Mr S and spent another £25.35! so a total of £109.21 so far and still got 3 weeks to go to the end of my month.

This isn't really unexpected as I have additional 2 people to feed this month which I didn't know I'd have until after I'd set my budget so if I do manage to come within budget it will be a miracle!

Denise

SarahB1989_2

Popped to T's today. Got my giftcard sorted, £40 on it that has to last until the 16th, and spent exactly £10 of that today. Stocked up the cupboard with jam and oil, got some snacks (worked out that yesterday's meals only added up to 1000kcal so need to eat more or I'll be falling over!), and picked up odds and ends for this weeks meals. Will need to go again early in the week for milk and bread but hopefully nothing else.

kayester

advice please (sorry im REALLY not good at the freezer thing)

Ok so I want to batch cook some lasagne, chilli and bolognaise.

i have done a little research and figured that i am going to prepare 2 lots of lasagne, NOT cook them, freeze, defrost, cook (is this right)

chilli I know how to cook it, do i just store in containers, defrost and heat in the pan?
is this same for bolognaise? help!

cw18

Chilli and Bolognese I cook a full batch of the sauce and freeze in portions (often in 500g margarine pots). I tip in to the pan as soon as possible after removing from freezer (less stays stuck to the tub that way ) and either reheat very gently from frozen state or leave to defrost before reheating.

I've not frozen a made up lasagne so can't help there, but I'm not sure I'd want to put uncooked dried pasta (lasagne sheets) into the freezer :think:

SarahB1989_2

kayester wrote: »

advice please (sorry im REALLY not good at the freezer thing)

Ok so I want to batch cook some lasagne, chilli and bolognaise.

i have done a little research and figured that i am going to prepare 2 lots of lasagne, NOT cook them, freeze, defrost, cook (is this right)

chilli I know how to cook it, do i just store in containers, defrost and heat in the pan?
is this same for bolognaise? help!

I would definitely cook it before freezing! Usually I cook it as if I'm going to eat it immediately, and put the other portions into tupperware, let them cool and stick them in the freezer. When I need to eat them, they go from freezer to microwave to plate, no lengthy defrosting needed.

kayester

cw18 wrote: »

Chilli and Bolognese I cook a full batch of the sauce and freeze in portions (often in 500g margarine pots). I tip in to the pan as soon as possible after removing from freezer (less stays stuck to the tub that way ) and either reheat very gently from frozen state or leave to defrost before reheating.

I've not frozen a made up lasagne so can't help there, but I'm not sure I'd want to put uncooked dried pasta (lasagne sheets) into the freezer :think:

thankyou...and i never thought to save 500g tubs, im stealing that idea

not sure if this makes a difference, they are fresh pasta sheets

kayester

SarahB1989 wrote: »

I would definitely cook it before freezing!

really? everywhere i have looked online for the lasagne says different, now im confused lol

katkin

I also cook lasagne then cool it and portion it up before freezing. I make sure it is "juicy" so it doesn't dry out and put less cheese topping on so I can add it when reheating.

Please put me down for £180 again for my Feb / March month.

I have a week to plot and plan before pay-day

SarahB1989_2

kayester wrote: »

really? everywhere i have looked online for the lasagne says different, now im confused lol

Maybe it depends on how you intend to reheat it later? I guess if it's going in an oven then you want to allow for it cooking in there whereas a microwave will just reheat it.