JANUARY PANTRY CHALLENGE

purpleivy

WickedLady4 said:

@purpleivy. Maybe look up some sort of broad bean hummus or dip recipe?

Found a couple of good ones.  Thanks for the suggestion @Wicked_Lady

Black_Saturn

I sorted the large cupboard this morning, and used up a stuffing mix, a tin of chickpeas (for houmous) and the rest of the open bag of plain flour (to make vegan Yorkshires, using the aquafaba from the chickpeas). I also have a list of meal ideas and will shop to that in order to use up stock. 

I have been ignoring the food cupboards as the amount in there feels overwhelming at times, but it is my goal to work through them this year, and save on the amount we spend on groceries.

Black_Saturn

I would also go with a houmous or dip, to use up the broad beans ☺️

tryingtoavoiddebt

Been away all day today so no stock take done!

I have turned most of the veggies left over from Christmas in the bottom of the fridge into soup to do for lunches this week. I’ve also made some chilli to pop back into the freezer before the mince goes off!

Family of 4 (2 adults and 2kids) here and back to packed lunches this week, which I try to be thrifty with. The kids both love pasta in their food flasks so hopefully I have some bolognese sauce squirrelled away in the freezer! Meal plan done based on what I know i have so should just be able to go and buy some fresh fruit, noodles and bread on Tuesday when I’m off and get a list made of what i actually have! 

Looking forward to seeing what everyone is making and hopefully get some ideas!

purpleivy

Got my freezer inventory finished this morning.  Could do with some more baskets to categorise stuff a bit more and so I don't get an avalanche when looking for stuff. Any suggestions? 

I have retrieved some of the large stash of blackcurrants and going to make some cordial with it. WIll probably freeze some as doing a double batch and it gives a month for use by.

Going to make a pizza for hub and do some extra dough to freeze for easy meals later. I have par baked in the past, but the last time I made I did some par baked and one ball of dough as an experiment. It was fine.  I was watching a vlogger this morning do pizza and she said if doing dough for the freezer she puts in extra yeast.  

I have olives, sundried tomatoes and salami left in the fridge so those will go on.  A pod of sauce from the freezer.  Have grated remaining cheddar and will try not to open a new pack before we go away, though I don't think what there is will do a full week!  

I've got past date eggs, so will make myself a fritatta, 2 blobs of spinach from the freezer, some of that cheese, onion here, a bit of serrano ham maybe and got a small pouch of cooked mushrooms in the freezer. That should do it.  Oh, 1/4 tub cream cheese and the last drop of cream too!  Determined that the fridge will be clean and tidy when we go away!  

I got two different Cadbury milk shakes free on the shopping a while ago. Still in date but not by the time we get home.  I made it into pudding with some cornflour and a bit of cream from the fridge.  Kind of like blancmange!  

L

Brie

OH has suggested cheese for dinner.  We have a quantity still from Christmas but there's no suitable bread.  I've got some jacket potatoes in the freezer but the cheese is not the sort to go with it.  There's also a couple of tins of soup in the cupboard but it's stuff the OH loves so I won't open those simply to use it up.  I do however have some fresh carrots that need using plus some squash in the freezer so could soup that.  But I do like a chunk of bread for dipping...

cheerfulness4

Decided to make some potted cheese with some spiced fruit wensleydale that I had in the fridge that was going a little dry.  It was delicious.  Never had it before but was lovely spread on crackers.

I spotted on 'Ali lives on less' on youtube a simple recipe which was so easy; 50/50 cheese and butter.  I only made up a small amount to try but I'll definitely make it again for the occasional special treat.

We had cauliflower cheese for dinner using a lovely fresh cauli I had in the fridge from a 2GTG bag from Morrisons.  I've some cavolo nero kale left from that bag too that I want to use. Was wondering about saute it off in butter with garlic to soften as I didn't like kale steamed. I've some bacon in the fridge too which could be good and served with pasta.

purpleivy

Brie said:

OH has suggested cheese for dinner.  We have a quantity still from Christmas but there's no suitable bread.  I've got some jacket potatoes in the freezer but the cheese is not the sort to go with it.  There's also a couple of tins of soup in the cupboard but it's stuff the OH loves so I won't open those simply to use it up.  I do however have some fresh carrots that need using plus some squash in the freezer so could soup that.  But I do like a chunk of bread for dipping...

I hate it when a plan won't come together!  

I 'took one for the team' and had some several day old cooked cauliflower at lunch, made just a spot of cheese sauce.  Also the end of a jar of home made soup. Not really a portion. A small jar of my home made yog with some of my blueberries with CHia. One portion of that left for tomorrow. Gradually clearing the fridge.  

JIL

Brie said:

OH has suggested cheese for dinner.  We have a quantity still from Christmas but there's no suitable bread.  I've got some jacket potatoes in the freezer but the cheese is not the sort to go with it.  There's also a couple of tins of soup in the cupboard but it's stuff the OH loves so I won't open those simply to use it up.  I do however have some fresh carrots that need using plus some squash in the freezer so could soup that.  But I do like a chunk of bread for dipping...

Could you make soda bread? 

I use 600g flour, it doesnt matter if its SR or plain.
500 g milk, soured with lemon or vinegar.

A teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda.

Mix it all together until it's like a dough, shape it into a flat ish  round, pop it onto a baking sheet. Cut a cross on top. Bake for 35 mins at about 190.  Its lovely and crusty the first day.

Even better the day after with cheese melted on a slice.

-taff

Or can you make some flatbreads? I usually keep some greek yoghurt in the fridge tomake them, it lasts for months unopened..I've used septembers date in december last year..

Equal quantities of flour to greek yoghurt, mix, it will look crumbly and like it won't go but keep working it and it will. Flour well to roll out, dry fry to cook. Place in a folded tea towel to keep warm and steam a bit. I usually add oregano and salt. they are much softer than ones made with water only. I normally measure 200 and 200 g then divide into four and really thinly roll so it covers a ten inch frying pan