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

LotsOfTea

Lunch today was fakey bacon from the top shelf of the freezer (now just cold and not frozen) in butties. 

We've ordered a new fridge/freezer which we've been given a 4-5 day delivery estimate for and now the damn oven has also broken! I think it's the heating element as it comes on but just doesn't heat up so I've booked someone to come and try and repair it who's coming later in the week. I'm really hoping it can be repaired as we could do without buying a new oven as well. Added to that we undoubtedly wouldn't be able to find one to fit in the space it goes in in the fitted kitchen as appliances all seem to have changed shape and size since the kitchen was fitted (not sure when, we moved in 12 years ago). We had that problem when the microwave died a year ago and it just wasn't possible to get one that fitted in the gap. I should probably stop moaning, we do have savings so it's not a disaster but it would be nice if the breakages could stagger themselves a bit! 

We're out for dinner tonight but I'll need to look at what else needs using up from the freezer tomorrow.

Cherryfudge

Oh crumbs, @LotsOfTea, what a position to find yourself in! Is there a possibility of you replacing the element yourself? I seem to remember DH doing ours though I don't remember details, just a vague feeling that an extra pair of hands made it easier. There are plenty of instructions on the internet. It would be great if it could be replaced and you can put off having to play Tetris with the kitchen.

I haven't made progress with food stocks today as I ate with friends and DH got himself a ready meal. In fact, I've brought home a loaf of bread, some blueberries, melon and hummus from lunch while looking after my grandchild, and Bombay mix from tonight's meal, so I'm really not doing very well.

oceandreamer

Have taken a garlic bread out of the freezer which I found whilst retrieving two crusts to have for toast.  The garlic bread will go with the chilli made out of lots of leftovers.  Why is everything in the freezer so small?  I still haven't got enough wriggle room to do an inventory, but I am meal planning from what I can see atm.

Cherryfudge

Dinner tonight was liver and bacon with tinned tomatoes, baked potatoes and fried onion. Old but gold. There is both liver and bacon left over but the potatoes were from Christmas supplies.

So, the pile of things needing to be eaten is getting larger, not smaller. I was going to make the carrot hummus this evening but I realised I have over half a tub of hummus still to eat. The cakes have only gone down by a muffin. I don't like to have meat too often so I think we will freeze the liver and bacon for now. Nothing planned for tomorrow yet.

Changeyourlife25

3 packs of yorkies, mash tato, 2 packs lamb grill steaks, parathas, 2 packs chicken drumsticks, 2 stews  
out of the freezer this week, getting there slowly 

Cherryfudge

Sounds like a very good start @Changeyourlife25: those all take up space in the freezer but make lovely warming meals once they're back in circulation.

DH wants tuna pasta today so I'm not expecting much more freezer room.

LotsOfTea

We all managed to use up some stuff from the top of the freezer where it's defrosted yesterday. I had a few pizza slices, DH had 2 cooked chicken thighs and DS had some breaded cod. 

Lunch today will be some soup I made earlier in the week and tea will be more freezer stuff. The last of a bag of chicken nuggets for DS and some veggie sausages for DH & me which I'll use to make a pasta dish with mushrooms, tomato and chilli I think. That should completely clear the top shelf of the freezer apart from a packet of crumpets which we can use over the weekend. The second shelf down is also cold rather than frozen so we'll have to start on that next. Hopefully the new fridge/freezer will arrive early next week. 

Cherryfudge

I was going to ask what this thing is - an empty freezer shelf - but I seem to remember it's a theoretical possibility not often seen on this thread.

Would it help to put bubble wrap or similar in the empty space so warmer air doesn't circulate when you open the door?

LotsOfTea

That's a good idea @Cherryfudge. I didn't think of that but I'm sure it'll help. Thanks!

I'm not going to take too much credit for the empty freezer drawer - the freezer itself forced it upon us. Still, I guess it's progress whatever the reason.

oceandreamer

One portion of turkey broth and one sliced roll out for lunch. Five peppers that were in danger of being too soft to eat in.   Dinner will be the left over chilli on a baked potato.