We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING
Hello Forumites! However well-intentioned, for the safety of other users we ask that you refrain from seeking or offering medical advice. This includes recommendations for medicines, procedures or over-the-counter remedies. Posts or threads found to be in breach of this rule will be removed.The MSE Forum Team would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas. However, we know this time of year can be difficult for some. If you're struggling during the festive period, here's a list of organisations that might be able to help
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Has MSE helped you to save or reclaim money this year? Share your 2025 MoneySaving success stories!
Reverse Meal Planning
Comments
-
Puff is the one pastry I don't bother making. I like all-butter puff so that means a trip to a more distant less regular SM - I will pop it on my long-term list. I have a JL £10 voucher in the drawer...zafiro1984 said:
Well done, that's my sort of cooking one casserole =3 meals.Suffolk_lass said:We had some of the leftover casserole last night and there is still more -
Pastry:- my DH loves a square of puff pastry, I score it about a centimetre on all four sides, put the filling in the middle, even the veg and potatoes and it comes out looking like a giant vol-au-vent. - but I'm sure you already know this.Save £12k in 2025 #2 I am at £10,020.92 out of £6000 after September
OS Grocery Challenge in 2025 I am at £2234.63/£3000 or 74.49% of my annual spend so far (not going to be much of a Christmas at this rate as no spare after 9 months!
I also Reverse Meal Plan on that thread and grow much of our own premium price fruit and veg, joining in on the Grow your own thread
My new diary is here2 -
The jerusalem artichokes last night were delicious - I really do love getting them in the veg box - always a treat! I'll need to come up with a use for the rest of the tub of creme fraiche now although worst case is I'll chuck it all into the parsnip soup. I suspect some of it may get earmarked for something more treaty though!
MrEH hard boiled the final three eggs from the box last night so those will get added to couscous salad this evening. I'll probably cook off some chunks of red pepper, chickpeas and probably some of the veg-box kale mountain to go with that too. Halloumi for the remainder of the protein, some toasted seeds and some garlic and yogurt sauce as a dressing - tasty.🎉 MORTGAGE FREE (First time!) 30/09/2016 🎉 And now we go again…New mortgage taken 01/09/23 🏡
Balance as at 01/09/23 = £115,000.00 Balance as at 31/12/23 = £112,000.00
Balance as at 31/08/24 = £105,400.00 Balance as at 31/12/24 = £102,500.00
Balance as at 31/08/25 = £ 95,450.00
£100k barrier broken 1/4/25SOA CALCULATOR (for DFW newbies): SOA Calculatorshe/her3 -
Neither do I, too much work and the results are a bit mixed to say the leastSuffolk_lass said:Puff is the one pastry I don't bother making.1 -
On the odd occasion that I have bought puff from Morries I have taken to rolling it out, spreading it with butter, then folding it up and chilling it for another hour before rolling it out to use. A bit of a compromise but better than nothing (in my head).zafiro1984 said:
Neither do I, too much work and the results are a bit mixed to say the leastSuffolk_lass said:Puff is the one pastry I don't bother making.
Last night I cooked pancakes 2 hours earlier than normal because I had an evening event, DH made his own omelette and I just had a bit of cheese to precede it. Today the amount of carbs and sugar falls off a cliff for us. Taking advantage of lent with my atheist husband has to be couched in an alternative way (it is a good way to book-end the extremely low calorie eating). Let us hope this works to reset body rhythm and lost some accumulated blubber!Save £12k in 2025 #2 I am at £10,020.92 out of £6000 after September
OS Grocery Challenge in 2025 I am at £2234.63/£3000 or 74.49% of my annual spend so far (not going to be much of a Christmas at this rate as no spare after 9 months!
I also Reverse Meal Plan on that thread and grow much of our own premium price fruit and veg, joining in on the Grow your own thread
My new diary is here1 -
Lamb sausages and a tub of three-root mash hoiked out of the freezer last night ready for tonight. It's going to get some of the green-veg mountain served alongside - currently we have sprouts, kale, spinach and cabbage as well as cauliflower - although I have a hunch the cauli might end up in a cauli/cheese pasta bake over the weekend. I've got all the ingredients for more 3 root mash too, but figured I may was well use up the existing one - as and when I make more I can always shove some more in the freezer!🎉 MORTGAGE FREE (First time!) 30/09/2016 🎉 And now we go again…New mortgage taken 01/09/23 🏡
Balance as at 01/09/23 = £115,000.00 Balance as at 31/12/23 = £112,000.00
Balance as at 31/08/24 = £105,400.00 Balance as at 31/12/24 = £102,500.00
Balance as at 31/08/25 = £ 95,450.00
£100k barrier broken 1/4/25SOA CALCULATOR (for DFW newbies): SOA Calculatorshe/her1 -
Making a batch of soup using dehydrated vegetables - am conscious I have quite a stock of DH produce which needs using up. Will add the rest of an open carton of silken tofu to use it up as well.
Dinner will be the last of the soya mince chilli (had it with homemade chips last night, will have rice tonight).2 -
Was planning on having a risotto tonight but realised that we don't have enough arborio rice for the two of us. So making use of what we have and making a carbonara inspired dish instead that will use up the last couple of eggs, 2 smoked bacon medallions that I forgot were in the fridge, a chopped leek that was in the freezer along with the chicken thighs I got out for the risotto. Have the requisite parmesan lurking in the fridge too so should be a hearty and filling meal for this dreary weather we're having.Emergency Fund - £8572.39 / £10,000 :: Mortgage OP 2025 - £LISA 24/25 - £3200 / £4000 :: NSD 2025 - 2 / 150 :: Books Read: 1 / 52 :: Decluttering - 4 / 1000Engaged 9th December 2010 :: Married 29th October 2015 :: Bought a House 13th January 20172
-
That sounds really tasty Ruby!🎉 MORTGAGE FREE (First time!) 30/09/2016 🎉 And now we go again…New mortgage taken 01/09/23 🏡
Balance as at 01/09/23 = £115,000.00 Balance as at 31/12/23 = £112,000.00
Balance as at 31/08/24 = £105,400.00 Balance as at 31/12/24 = £102,500.00
Balance as at 31/08/25 = £ 95,450.00
£100k barrier broken 1/4/25SOA CALCULATOR (for DFW newbies): SOA Calculatorshe/her2 -
Lunch today is more of the veg peel soup I made yesterday (followed by seedy, dried fruit flapjacks I made yesterday). Dinner will be using up a whole punnet of mushrooms - a tomato and mushroom pasta with cheese and walnuts. Pudding will be baked apples with butter, raisins and cinnamon, served with yogurt.
2025 decluttering: 5,544 🌟🥉🌟💐🏅🏅🌟🥈🏅🌟🏅💐💎🌟🏅🏆🌟🏅🌟🌟2025 use up challenge: 513🥉🥈🥇💎🏆 👑Big kitchen declutter challenge 143/1502025 decluttering goals I Use up Challenge: 🥉365 🥈750 🥇1,000 💎2,000 🏆 3,000 👑 8,000 I 🥉12 🥈26 🥇52 💎 100 🏆 250 👑 5002 -
Here's hoping it is, will report back tomorrow 👍EssexHebridean said:That sounds really tasty Ruby!Emergency Fund - £8572.39 / £10,000 :: Mortgage OP 2025 - £LISA 24/25 - £3200 / £4000 :: NSD 2025 - 2 / 150 :: Books Read: 1 / 52 :: Decluttering - 4 / 1000Engaged 9th December 2010 :: Married 29th October 2015 :: Bought a House 13th January 20172
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 352.9K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.9K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 454.7K Spending & Discounts
- 246K Work, Benefits & Business
- 602.1K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 177.8K Life & Family
- 259.9K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.7K Read-Only Boards