The all new using what you have from your Freezer, Cupboard or Shed (Barn)

LotsOfTea

I have also found random things in the cupboards that I've bought for recipes I've seen somewhere and then forgotten about @Watty1. I'm really trying to avoid doing that in future and use up the stuff I've already got. 

I've pulled a tub of tomato soup of the freezer which I'll have for my lunch today and also used up a frozen tub of mixed beans by making a big pot of veggie chilli which will do me a few meals. Progress!

Cherryfudge

Most of the stuff from last weekend is finished now, but there are still lettuce, tomatoes, mushrooms and hummus, and the doctor had a look at my cholesterol readings and changed my statins, so the ice cream hasn't been touched again - yet. I've also been trying to space the higher cholesterol items out.

I've finished up those pancakes and a chicken pasty from the freezer, but I've bought battered fish for this weekend so that's taken up the space they were in.

It's also been a week for lots of eating out: DH stayed at his auntie's so they had a takeaway and a meal out, then we a meal out to use our voucher up on Saturday evening, lunch out with family last Sunday and the pizza buffet that evening, and I had a pizza meal with friends during the week. Nice to have so many treats but I need to draw a line under it now.

LotsOfTea

I've used up a few more packets of spicy noodles that I bulk bought a couple of years ago as they were mega cheap. They're a bit uninteresting but I always add a load of stir-fried veg to make a better meal out of them and they at least have the advantage of being quick and easy to prepare. We're finally down to the last 2 packets now so the end is in sight!

Today's job will to roast the beetroot that has been in the fridge for far too long before it gets past the point of being useable. I'm going to use it for beetroot & feta risotto tomorrow and if there's too much then I can always use it with hummus in a wrap for lunch. 

I still haven't used the frozen broad beans but I did find a soup recipe in one of my old cookbooks (Cranks Fast Food) which uses them so I'll try and get round to giving that a go soon.

Cherryfudge

I've just done a one-drawer defrost/sort from the freezer.

There's a joint of lamb defrosting. I don't think it will be ready for tomorrow but if not we could have it on Monday.
A cupful of blackberries are defrosting as DH likes them but forgets to defrost in time.
I've found a few ham slices which are now in the fridge for sandwiches.

I also noted a few other items for the future including smoked mackerel (doesn't freeze well but I could have some for quick meals), lamb hearts (need to find a tasty recipe for those as both of us found them uninspiring, which is why they are still in the freezer), more blackberries, oddments of sundry fruit and veg, sausage meat and a couple of home made soups.

We are doing a home made flavoured cous cous today to reduce stocks. There are some partially dehydrated Mediterranean veg that have been sitting on the shelf far too long!

I'm going to have to spread the use of freezer stocks out as I'm trying to reduce my cholesterol, but I've put them here to help me deal with them.

Watty1

Sorted the freezer this morning.  Very few "random" bits left in there.   Still cupboards full but the end is in sight and I've discovered cooking is a joy again.

Wraithlady

Cherryfudge said:

I'm not sure I can get my head round a major plan but I'll have a look at what could go in a risotto.

(Apologies if others have already done this to death) but pretty much anything you like - I'd personally avoid anything that crumbles  like leftover stuffing or roast potatoes as the texture goes rather unpleasant but something proteinous and as much veg as you like/want/need to use up works

rtandon27

@Cherryfudge - I'm wondering if you might be able to make a lamb heart stew.. I remember many years ago, my Gran making a beef heart stew that we had with white rice or mash.  The hearts were cubed into small dice before long slow cooking and took on the flavour of the stew.

Cherryfudge

Watty1 said:

Sorted the freezer this morning.  Very few "random" bits left in there.   Still cupboards full but the end is in sight and I've discovered cooking is a joy again.

That's not only encouraging for the rest of us (it's possible!) but a joy to hear you've fought your way back to a 'better place'.

I suggest you bottle whatever your magic is and sell some - another side hustle to add to the recipe book I decided you should write.  You will make your fortune. Only don't wear yourself out on the way.  

Cherryfudge

@Wraithlady, thank you. I think I was looking at risotto when I had stock to use up but if I learned to make it confidently (it's just never been part of our routine and I'd need to work out a brown rice version as neither of us tolerates white rice very well), it  could be a really good way of avoiding waste. My daughter makes a lovely risotto but as she is expecting a baby any day, I won't get her to coach me. She may be too busy for the next eighteen years.

The lamb is defrosting nicely and DH had bought baking potatoes to go with it. I finished up some tuna so the ham will have to wait another day. Meanwhile DH polished off half the blackberries and I've nearly finished the lettuce (which has lasted beautifully considering I bought it as short dated a week ago). 

rtandon27 said:

@Cherryfudge - I'm wondering if you might be able to make a lamb heart stew.. I remember many years ago, my Gran making a beef heart stew that we had with white rice or mash.  The hearts were cubed into small dice before long slow cooking and took on the flavour of the stew.

Good idea, that's probably a feasible solution and I can wrap it up in lots of tasty veg so we don't taste it.  

LotsOfTea

Watty1 said:

Sorted the freezer this morning.  Very few "random" bits left in there.   Still cupboards full but the end is in sight and I've discovered cooking is a joy again.

🎉🎉 That's the goal we all want to reach - well done! 

I made pizza on Friday night which made DS very happy and had jacket spuds for lunch yesterday with the veggie chilli I made earlier in the week as a topping (and just beans for DS, the chilli was 🔥). We then had beetroot and feta risotto for tea which used a lot of the roasted beetroot up. 

Unfortunately for me DH and DS are out all morning doing sports so I don't get out of cooking dinner just because it's mother's day. I think I'll go for something easy like fajitas. I shall insist on getting many cups of tea made for me this afternoon to make up for it! 😂