Reverse Meal Planning

QueenJess

I actually got a Russell Hobbs chest freezer in my garage which is meant for outbuildings. My garage doesn’t tend to get too cold though as for some reason they insulated it similar to the rest of the house and plastered the walls.

Suffolk_lass

We have a small Beko in the toolshed that works to -20c. As the shed is tiny 6x4, DH lined it with cardboard behind and both sides adjacent to the fridge freezer. Also the Curry's chest freezer in the garage works to -20c too. The commercial one is the unknown as it was bought from a catering business that was giving up. We have had it for 2, maybe 3 years and in the pig shed (of block, not wood construction) it has been OK but could do with a defrost and vacuum of the coils. 

It's working OK with not going shopping and using the camping fridge so far. Fingers crossed for the collection by the local Euronics store (used as their customer service is normally good). Last night we had large burger in toasted pumpernickel rolls, with salad and mayo. Followed by the rest of the stewed plums and custard. 

I added back by picking another punnet of blackberries, which are somewhere in the bee freezer (we know it only works properly in winter as the workshop gets too hot, so normally it is full of bee frames (making sure the wax moth larvae do not destroy the wax foundation)

Suffolk_lass

I omitted to get anything out for supper so we had the odd half jar of processed tomatoes, from when I prepped them last week, mixed with a fried off a homegrown onion, two bendy carrots, two homegrown courgettes and a small pot of chard pesto from the freezer. Stirred through some cooked penne and sprinkled over some grated cheese, chilli flakes and seasoning. Really simple and delicious. Then had some ready stewed plum and apple with a big dollop of Greek-style yogurt. Simple and cheap.

Suffolk_lass

We are going away for a few days from this afternoon in our campervan so a few bits of meat and salad will feature large. Last night DS came over and I sadly spent lots of time on a zoom call I was running so they bought F&Ch and saved some chicken for me, with a few chips. Not very MSE but needs must!

zafiro1984

Bit of a nightmare Suffolk Lass with the freezers. I've come to rely on mine such a lot. The contents are not insured and I sometimes wonder how I would feel should there be a power cut for several days. 

Your posting prompted me into doing my annual defrost, I say annual but it usually happens more often. One large commercial chest freezer, a 'Foster', and 2x 6ft uprights from Miele plus the small one under the fridge. 
At the moment 2 freezers done and I'll do the third one when my fingers have thawed out. I've ended up with a drawer of bits and bobs, Bits of leftover casseroles, bits of cooked meat, some uncooked hot water pastry - that looks a bit strange and will probably end up in the bin. Blinis - why I froze them I'm not sure. Liver, oxtail, but no kidney, which is a shame as we're heading into 'steak and kidney pie time of the year' I'll try to make the effort into using the bits and bobs drawer first and I know quite a lot will end up as soup, 

I've now got a bit of space but looking at what is outside (apples, pears, plums, rosehips, raspberries, blackberries etc) the space will soon be used up as I'm not good at storing fruit long term - it goes mouldy. At least I'll be able to make crumbles/pies over the winter.

CCW007

Someone on a prepping group I'm on in FB had their freezer fail and discovered the contents weren't covered, I think mine are but I'm going to check.  

Made the most revolting soup for lunch using up cauliflower and broccoli, won't be making that again.  Dinner will be tray bake salmon, potatoes and veggies for and sausage and mash for OH, all out of the freezer.

zafiro1984

The next couple of days will be from the fridge. I've quite a lot that needs creativity to get the best out of it. LO brisket from last Tuesday - probably in sandwiches of some sort today, any left over I'll make meat paste for toast tomorrow. Sticky toffee pudding also from last Tuesday (we had someone here for tea) most has been consumed. (First time I'd made it from scratch, much better than the shop bought stuff)
I can see a couple of flans being made to use up the bits and bobs - cheese, a couple of slices of bacon, jersey milk, cream - left over from the Sticky TP, bit of gammon, half a cooked breast of chicken. Hopefully by Sunday the fridge will be empty apart from some salad and vegetables.

Just about to start defrosting the third freezer. I've emptied everything into the other freezers. I'm already starting to feel they are a bit more organised and I know I have nothing lurking, unlabelled at the bottom.

Suffolk_lass

I'm back from a few days away in the camper and on my list is the big freezer audit and defrost. It will take three days, I think. Oh and @zafiro1984, I have been bottling fruit this year - instant crumble or pudding with custard or ice-cream. My current favourite is stewed apple an blackberry, then tipped in a jar using a jam funnel, screw top, upside down until it pops and stores without having to pay for the freezer, Winner!

Suffolk_lass

Used up the half-jar of ready made sauce I keep in the van for emergencies and made a funny old ragu, broke up five sheets of lasagne pasta that is OOD and made a white sauce, topping it with grated cheddar and baking for about 30 minutes. All gone!

zafiro1984

Suffolk_lass said:

@zafiro1984, I have been bottling fruit this year - instant crumble or pudding with custard or ice-cream. My current favourite is stewed apple an blackberry, then tipped in a jar using a jam funnel, screw top, upside down until it pops and stores without having to pay for the freezer, Winner!

I've never tried canning but I know it's popular in the USA. I have a fear of canning, I'm not sure why but somewhere in the back of my mind something called 'black leg' found in animals bothers me. I'll have to read up on it or ask DS.

Freezer No3 defrosted, now I just need to get everything which belongs in it out of the other two freezers, then audit each drawer in the uprights and boxes in the chest freezer. I think I have enough batched cooked meals to last 3-4 months. 

Last night - LO puff pastry topped some cooked mince with added vegetables. Pudding - mixed fruit crumble made from wrinkly fruit in the bowl and a bit of cream as I couldn't be bothered to make custard.

Tonight - someone here for tea - rhubarb and ginger crumble, rhubarb from garden, plus part of a jar of stem ginger, the rest went in ginger ice-cream I made last week. A piece of pork with skin for crackling. I looked at the price of lamb.....wow £36 for a leg!!  Roast veg from the fridge, I'll use up some beetroot/carrots/potatoes plus a butternut squash and a couple of parsnips from the garden.