Reverse Meal Planning

MissRikkiC

Veggie stew was made for dinner as planned, an old leek, 3 bendy parsnips, swede and carrots cooked with Pearl barley (which was 49p for 500g in HBs last week) and finished with dumplings. They were waaaaay too big but still didn’t make it for leftovers like the stew did! 

ariarnia

wondering if you clever people can suggest something. i've got a tin of sardines and a tin of pilchards both in tomato sause. never had them before (we have mackerel regularly either in a pasta bake or as fishcakes) and not sure why I bought them. what do?

Suffolk_lass

ariarnia said:

wondering if you clever people can suggest something. i've got a tin of sardines and a tin of pilchards both in tomato sause. never had them before (we have mackerel regularly either in a pasta bake or as fishcakes) and not sure why I bought them. what do?

An easy option is stuffed peppers, fry a small onion and a diced carrot then roughly break up the fish to add to the mix (with the tomato sauce). Optional herbs like parsley, mint or oregano and a dash of tabasco. Fill the halved, hollowed out peppers and top with a mix of breadcrumbs and grated or crumbed cheese, then bake for 30 minutes in a hot oven so the peppers are firm but cooked.

EssexHebridean

Oh CCW sorry to hear you've been hit with the lurgy! It really does feel as though those of us who've managed to avoid it so far are dwindling in numbers now! I've also had a cold, but thankfully having tested last Monday prior to any sign of "coldyness" appearing, and being negative, although I DID a test again on Wednesday I could be fairly confident that the negative then was definite! The advantages of regular testing, as you've also discovered! 

Sardiens/Pilchards - niche it may be  but we rather like them to top a jacket potato with a sprinkling of cheese on top. Another favourite here is sardine and butterbean pasta - a proper MSE effort too as VERY cheap! Cook a basic tomato sauce (onion, tin of tommies, chopped pepper and mushrooms, some italian-style herbs) then throw in a tin of drained butterbeans, and your sardines - complete with sauce. Heat through taking care not to break up the fish *too* much, and serve with pasta of choice. I have a hunch I may have adapted my version from a Jack Monroe offering originally. 

On the subject of pasta, ours last night was lovely! I opened a carton of passata to make the sauce tomatoey as well as soft-cheesey, used some of the previously cooked mushrooms, and also a red pepper. Threw in a handful of rocket (and had to give up on the rest of the bag as it really was heading for "too past it" and a handful of chopped parsley along with the rest of the tub of salmon. I'd be inclined to use the salmon like that again too as it was so nice having it for lunch in sarnies as well as with the pasta! 

This evening will be making use of more of the prepped veggies with some couscous and some of the final pack of chicken sausages. Relatively easy and straightforward for when I get in from the gym and for MrEH when he gets home from Rugby training. The other part of the pack of sausages, once cooked, will go aside for a meal later in the week I think. 

ariarnia

thank you both. the on potato option seems easier (less actual cooking) so we might go for that to see what they're like. I've also seen online lots of people recomending them with mustard and someone saying put them in a dish with then put mashed potato on top like a fish pie. i often put some mustard in my mash so we might try that with the larger tin of pilchards. 

MissRikkiC

So following from your mostly successful hauls on magic bags from morries I have been keeping an eye on them on the app. They are always sold out by 21:15 as @joedenise has mentioned somewhere, so tonight from 21:11 I refreshed the page every 5 or so seconds and somehow, still managed to miss the 1 bag they offer which disappeared at 21:16, the second it was added. I’ll try again tomorrow I guess! 

Home late from work tonight, so freezer cottage pie and leftover Sunday roast veg as well as taking leftover risotto from Saturday night for my lunch so totally from stores and freezer today! 

joedenise

I had the same problem tonight @MissRikkiC!  I started at 9.15 and just kept refreshing and it kept saying Check Back Later and then at about 9.21 is said Sold Out at 9.20!  How I missed it I've no idea because kept opening; closing; opening!  Really annoying.  Will leave it now until next week as we're away for the weekend.

MissRikkiC

I’ll try for a couple more days, but I know once the new budget starts Friday I’ll be less keen and will let someone else have them

joedenise

I think it's worth persevering @MissRikkiC and not just because it's getting to the end of the month!  After all you are helping to stop food going to waste and why shouldn't you have it rather than someone else?

Suffolk_lass

I got one! From my local Morries, reserved the last one this morning! collecting this evening and I put DS on to it and he reserved a bag in town from Starburst's (more his thing). In the meantime we have leftover roast chicken tonight, having had roast with no potatoes last night!! (I know, technically it's against the law  )