Reverse Meal Planning

EssexHebridean

Good morning!

The stir fry went as planned, but I did discover a squishy pepper which was a bit annoying. Too far gone to rescue any of it - so that has gone to the compost bin. As a result Tuesday night's couscous used up the remaining two (small) peppers rather than risk them going the same way! 

Last night was a HM chilli from the freezer - with rice. I could do with making up another batch of chilli or ragu - that might be a task for tomorrow or saturday I think. 

This evening I plan to use the remaining eggs to make a tortilla style omelette - that will have chorizo and mushroom through it I think, and I'll use the last ginormous sweet potato to serve alongside it, half each, just baked and served with butter. 

I intend to get the next piece of ham out of the freezer for the weekend and into next week - MrEH is out tomorrow evening and I may be too - it will depend how I feel about photographing his rugby match! (Which ultimately comes down to how sociable I feel and whether I want the "busy-ness" of the rugby club!) I've got a YS'd ready meal I can make use of if I am in anyway. He is also out a fair chunk of saturday as he's going off to the cup match with his other team - not playing, just supporting. Whether they win or lose, I imagine beers will be being had in either celebration or consolation! I'll probably just have cheese & crackers for my tea anyway - that's easy. 

I need a rigorous sort through the freezer to establish what we are going to eat next week anyway - the shopping bill HAS to be lower this week! 

rtandon27

EH - I completely sympathize with the plight of the squishy pepper!  These days we prep them into strips or chunks and freeze as soon after purchase as possible!

Meal plan this week was completely derailed thanks to unreliable commuter trains! 
Monday was a cheeky pub meal - as I just could not bear the thought of meat-free anything at home, so had a burger instead! 
Tuesday we stopped by MrS as OH had 'run out of wine' and found many meat deals at 75+% off!  So instead of fish we had bacon wrapped turkey fillets with salad made from bits in the fridge. (Several packs of 32p bacon were divvied up and now reside in the freezer!)
Wednesday we picked up a glorious spring-fresh box of veggies many of which were used up as part of a mid-week roast gammon dinner.  Bargains at MrS saw an over 16pound gammon reduced to just over 4 pounds.  It will be rubberized and feed us for many meals to come.   
Last night we transformed some of the left over roast veg into a cheats stew along with some pre-cooked chicken, a can of cream of something soup and some chicken bone broth.  It was tasty and as the temperature plummeted in the evening, it was a nice warming meal without being to heavy.
Tonight we may have pizza as after all it is Friday  we can cobble that together from all kinds of lovely bits we have in the house, or it might be a Waitflower date & dinner will be a surprise!

So on the forward planning front, our week was a disaster, but on the reverse, using up what we have, it was a mid-way success!

Mrs_Cheshire

Doing well using up what we've got in the house - bit frustrated though that the sourdough rolls were mouldy so had to be chucked out. Luckily I had a pouch of vegetable rice to put with my meal as I only had enough rolls for hubby and the kids left. Kids enjoyed the meal though which is good - so another dish to keep in the repertoire. 

Using minced beef out of the freezer for spag Bolognese tomorrow. Will have left over turkey, pigs in blankets and yorkshire's all from the freezer on Sunday to make some space. We've also got an apple crumble to use so will serve that with custard afterwards.  

Suffolk_lass

Back from hols and not really feeling it to go shopping, but I must. Popped out for fuel and picked up milk and carrots. Made veg soup for lunch and fresh homemade bread. It took ages to prove as it is 4c here. I absolutely refuse to put the aga back on so it will just be extra jumpers! I might make a ragu if I can be as*ed to get some mince in.

rtandon27

In our quest to balance reverse planning with our refound love of trying out the yellow stickers, we are going to do a chicken and rice one pot meal this evening from last weeks Waitflower paper.  We have a pot of yellow stickered Vadouvan (French Curry Mix) so shall see if it's a taste we enjoy!  Chicken was purchased in our bi-weekly shop and the rest of the ingredients are all from the stores!  Green veg for the day will be mustard greens from last week's veg box!

Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon have all been eating from what's in the house - really just a bunch of use it up meals, even having the last of the Easter hot cross bun bread pudding as a meal one evening!

Suffolk_lass

I shopped this week but realised I would need to top up with a bit of meat, so two packs of chipolatas (2-4-£5) were bought and half a packet used with mash and veg. Lamb chops from the freezer last night and I have lamb mince defrosted ready to make a shepherd's pie. I also have an opened packet of butter chicken paste that came home from hols with us so I will get some chicken out to curry ready to eat over the weekend. I'm on a course both Saturday and Sunday at the other end of the region so pre-prepared will be needed.

Suffolk_lass

All meals are a bit unplanned and last minute here. I'm in the process of rescuing some bees and it is all a bit inconvenient and unhelpful! Did manage to use up the two leeks (cheesy leeks with the last of the cauliflower broken up in it, as it went in the oven, last night

Mrs_Cheshire

Not a huge amount of reverse planning going on here as we've had a couple of birthdays so had treat teas and been really busy so relying on freezer foods. Going to spend time this weekend meal planning from the stores and freezer so the rest of the month will be mostly using up what we already have in. 

Suffolk_lass

I have to shop today, first time (milk and onions excepted) in May. It's going to be a big one. I have also had a half lamb from the chap that delivers eggs, so spends for May, quite high. It might be a beans on toast night as we are going to close up a nasty hive (part of the rescue) ready to move them tomorrow morning.

rtandon27

Today's dinner based on what's lingering in the fridge and freezer - pasta carbonara with added bacon and mushrooms. Currently the type of pasta is up for debate - we've got some lentil pasta shaped like tractors that I'd like to use up, but OH is leaning towards traditional wheat pasta and a traditional shape! I'm also applying the theory that bacon does not count on a meatless Monday as it makes everything taste better!