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

greent

I tidied the kitchen freezer today so I could add the 5 packs of reduced pigs in blankets to there, alongside the going ood gluten free wraps (bought for DS1's gf who is not around for another week). Also had to add fish to it yesterday as DS2 is home from uni. I did remove a small amount of fruit (pears, apples and plums from the garden) and some crumble topping (I make a huge amount at a time) for a small mixed fruit crumble for tomorrow. I also removed a jam doughnut that I brought home from work the other day and fed that to DH.

DS1 and I finished off the sweet and sour chicken from the fridge that DH made the other day alongside 1 of the 2 tubs of cooked rice. DH cooked a pizza that went ood yesterday and ate half - the other half is now in the fridge for DS1 to eat tomorrow.

Crazy amount of veg in the fridge....

Not sure I need to do much shopping in Jan....!!!

Cherryfudge

Very little progress today as we were out at a family do over lunchtime and dinner was salmon that I bought yesterday, marked down. However, I've finished the two small bags of frozen berries and we had some tomatoes that needed to be eaten, half of which I fed to DH with dinner.

I've just discovered the milk went out of date yesterday but still smells and tastes okay so I'm doing a spot of late-night yogurt making. Just waiting for the scalded milk to get to blood heat before I stir in some of the live yogurt DH bought for the curry, pop the lid on and press 'yogurt'. Magic.

greent

Ate the last 2 chicken goujons from the freezer for brunch, alongside some Xmas chocolate.  Very small progress! 😆

rtandon27

@greent - now that is quite the concoction!

Tonight we will be having the remaining veg from yesterday's solstice dinner along with whatever leftover sliced roasted meat/chicken I come across in the freezer.  OH will eat everything 'plain' which means his only seasonings will be salt/pepper and whatever garlic it was cooked with.  I'll be doctoring mine with my latest obsession which is chili-crisp oil and also some grated cheese on top of the veg.  I have more of an umami need than he does!

Cherryfudge

My lunch today was beans, brown sauce and some of a bag of cheese I defrosted recently, plus a chocolate wafer biscuit. Tea was some croissants, followed by oatcakes, salad cheese and raspberry jam.

I will not be outdone in my weird concoctions.

DH has finished the curry from the other day which gives us a bit of fridge space - necessary as there are now two additional jars of yogurt taking up room. However, all the milk is now in date, and I bought a second bag of ultra-cheap carrots which can join the others in the shed tomorrow.

Cherryfudge

Belated Happy Christmas all you freezer-fighters, I hope the day itself went well for you and you don't have too much extra to battle with?

We had chicken and gammon for dinner on Christmas Day, with various sides that used some of the amassed vegetables, but there are lots and lots left! There's probably enough gammon for a couple of meals, despite getting a very small joint, and the remains of the chicken are in the freezer. I finished up the cranberry sauce so there's a bit more space in the fridge door, but there are cooked stuffing and bread sauce left over, and lots of Christmas pudding and custard. We will chip away at the last two so I don't see a problem there.

I made spicy soup on Christmas Eve and I think there are two portions there which perhaps could go in the freezer ready for days when I need a decent meal before going out to work (no more work for a week).

So the things to use up are carrots, parsnips, shallots, onions, a leek, swedes, savoy cabbage, red cabbage, celery, sprouts and potatoes. The potatoes could be a bit of a problem as they are classified as 'all-rounders' but I'm finding them very dry to eat either baked or roasted. I could mash a few but I can't pretend I'm keen. Copilot came up with some suggestions: I assume I'm allowed to quote, so

Dry‑tasting potatoes are annoying, but they’re also incredibly fixable. You’ve actually got lots of delicious options depending on how much effort you want to put in. Here are some of the best ways to rescue them.

🧈 Quick fixes (minimal effort)

• Add fat + moisture: Toss the potatoes with melted butter, olive oil, or a splash of cream. Fat instantly improves texture.

• Season boldly: Dry potatoes need salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, herbs, or even a sprinkle of parmesan.

• Warm them up: A quick reheat in a pan with butter helps them absorb flavour.

🍳 Transform them into something better

1. Crispy pan‑fried potatoes

• Slice or cube the dry potatoes.

• Fry in oil or butter until golden.

• Add onions, herbs, or smoked paprika. This gives them a crispy exterior and masks dryness completely.

2. Potato cakes / hash

Mash the potatoes with:

• an egg

• a bit of flour

• seasoning

• cheese (optional)

Form into patties and fry. They become soft inside and crisp outside.

3. Loaded mashed potatoes

If they’re already cooked:

• Mash with butter, milk/cream, cheese, and seasoning.

• Add extras like chives, bacon bits, or roasted garlic.

4. Roast them again

If they’re boiled or steamed:

• Toss with oil, salt, herbs.

• Roast at a high heat (220°C) until crispy.

5. Turn them into soup

Blend the potatoes with:

• stock

• onions

• garlic

• cream or milk

Dry potatoes make a great thick base.

6. Make gnocchi

If you’re feeling adventurous, dry potatoes are perfect for gnocchi because they hold together better.

🥔 If they’re raw and taste dry/mealy

Choose a cooking method that adds moisture:

• Boil for mash

• Simmer in stews

• Bake and load with toppings

Avoid methods like plain roasting without oil.

Cherryfudge

The only thing actually used up today was the leeks, though there's only one portion of soup left and there has been a small decrease in other vegetables, gammon and Christmas pud.

greent

I needed to buy milk today and a large chicken (for dinner tomorrow) but hopefully dinner tomorrow will use up some of the excess veg! 🥕🥔🥦

At least one meal today will be cheese based! 🧀

Changeyourlife25

Can I come back with my tail between my legs? Sure I was gonna join in about 50 pages ago but made one meal and kept hoarding everything else out of fear of not having enough food 🤣🤣

2 freezers absolutely rammed and 2 and a half cupboards pretty much full with long life bits.

Gonna inventory tommorow and sort my life out.

🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

Cherryfudge

Welcome back @Changeyourlife25, glad you haven't run out of food! Let us know when you have the start of a plan, or any interesting finds.

Nothing dramatic to report here: we had fish from the freezer today, so I suppose I could fill that space with soup or carrots but at present I'm supposed to be wrapping gifts for the family get-together tomorrow, not cooking. There are three jugs of root veg on the side in the kitchen - I change the water every day. The Christmas cake is getting smaller and I've finished the local beer that I found in my Christmas stocking.