AUGUST PANTRY CHALLENGE

cheerfulness4

After having a good look in my pantry and freezer I've decided a Pantry Challenge is needed.

August is a lovely month with a few bits growing in the garden so I thought it an excellent time to try to save a bit of money ready for September. Its during September that we start to change our meals due to the cooler weather. Its then that I like a fresh start with the freezer and cupboards ready for the new autumn seasons food. I'm determined to 'clear the decks.'

I'm kicking off with some Fish in Butter Sauce that I can't remember when I bought but its been sitting in the freezer months. We shall have that with boiled potatoes, cauli, carrots and peas. I might see if more green beans are ready in the garden, too.

We've got plenty of eggs so  Soft Boiled Eggs and Toasted Fingers for tea. 

Anyone else fancy an August Challenge to empty the freezer, cupboards? 

Tashja

Thank you Cheerfulness4

I would love to join - haven't posted for a while but feel I need this challenge and to get back into an Older Style of Living! 

Freezers (x2) and cupboards are overflowing and produce from the allotment is in full flow! I am sat here looking at a pile of 18 courgettes and 6 cucumbers (neighbours not taking anymore!)

So today's plan is to cook/bake so they don't waste.  Will also sort the freezers and plan for tea so there is a bit more space! Will swap one of the bigger ones with another neighbour for 6 eggs though  

Hopefully we will save some money as well as make some space. I should only need milk! 

I also want to sort a drawer in the freezer so I can start planning "C" dinner after seeing the news today about inflation Runner beans from the allotment will be the thing first adding in there I think!

cheerfulness4

Great to have you on board Tashja.    

Unfortunately my courgette plants got eaten in the garden but I'm making up for it with my tomatoes, aubergines and peppers. 

Need to do a full inventory of stocks today as I know I've had stuff pushed to the back of the cupboards and bottom of freezer.  Hoping to just do top up shops to keep us going this month and Too Good To Go bags for fresh fruit and veg, although talking of inflation overnight my Morrisions 2GTG bags have risen from £3.09 to £4.99. What a leap! I relied on those for fresh stuff but might have to ponder that one in future.

PipneyJane

< depress delurk button >

Good idea @cheerfullness4.  I shall watch with interest, although I won’t join in with the challenge.

@Tashja sadly my courgettes didn’t “take” this year, but when I have a glut, I grate them, bag them in 250g bags and freeze.  Whenever I cook a minced beef based meal, I’ll add a bag of grated courgette as padding.  Also,   250g of grated courgette is IIRC the quantity needed for Nigella Lawson’s courgette cake, so I’ll use some in that.

HTH

- Pip

cheerfulness4

Wish I had a glut of courgettes.  What  a good idea to grate them into Bolognese.

I've quite a bit of chicken in the freezer that has mounted up due to offers.  Going to make Schnitzels today.  I'm going to dig out some bread crusts that where frozen from HM bread and whiz those into breadcrumbs with a little bit of cheese and seasoning for the coating. 

I've also dug around the bottom of the freezer and found some bags of quinoa with veg pouches that I bought from Iceland ages ago and forgot I had.  I shall serve those with the schnitzel and some petit pois. 

Changeyourlife25

I’ll join you please

Myself and DS1 did a freezer inventory yesterday! I probably need to do a cupboard one too, I don’t think there’s much in there (she says 🙄)

From the freezer today, used up bone broth, cooked chicken, some veggies.

From the cupboard a pack of pastry mix and some cornflour. 

I think I bought multiple boxes of cornflour to make play dough for the kids……… then didn't. 🤣

purpleivy

I start every month trying to work down the freezers and cupboards!  

My official one is January and February (only 6w as we are usually away 2w in Jan) when we use up Xmas excess and anything languishing. I never quite do it though.  I usually do a mini one in September as every other year we have visitors end October and it's nice to get stuff in there for that, also acts as pre Xmas clear out.  

I'm still trying to get rid of sundry items in the freezer which I don't want there/taking up too much space. I just about have the soft fruit under control. I made a couple of pots of stewed summer fruits to make summer puds later on.  I made blackcurrant jelly but still have more black currants to use.  I used a tropical mix and bag of frozen mango to stew for going with yogurt. (why the eff did I buy that?) it's not marvellous but better than nothing.  I have got some apricot and some rhubarb stewed and in pots.  I used up all the prehistoric stewed fruit so that felt good. This year's gooseberries arrived just as my steam canner did, so I have canned three 'pint' jars.  I have as many apples as I want or need from next door so I now plan to get loads of that canned so it doesn't take freezer space.  

Items needing inspiration/needing to be used:-

Part bag of Shana shredded coconut.  
Buttermilk
Jar of pistachio cream. Why did I get this? Pistachio tiramisu? 
Condensed milk
Frozen breadcrumbs
Part bottle Aldi 'Baileys'. seen a fruit cake recipe for this 
Part bottle of espresso martini chocolate booze. Make a choc pud?  

There is less weird $h*t than there was, but still some there. 

weenancyinAmerica

@Changeyourlife25 - I use cornflour (cornstarch in the US) whenever I get a rash, especially heat rash. Just powder it on - and works quickly.

purpleivy

Items needing inspiration/needing to be used:-

IDEAS?


Part bag of Shana shredded coconut.  
Buttermilk
Jar of pistachio cream. Why did I get this? Pistachio tiramisu? 
Condensed milk
Frozen breadcrumbs
Part bottle Aldi 'Baileys'. seen a fruit cake recipe for this 
Part bottle of espresso martini chocolate booze. Make a choc pud?  

cheerfulness4

Whenever I see condensed milk I always think of making ice cream.  Its going to get hotter towards the end of next week so maybe coconut and almond ice cream as a treat, purpleivy.

Finished up a bag of mixed frozen berries this morning in a smoothie for breakfast.  That's the last banana and rest of the greek yoghurt gone in that.

Pulled some sausages out the freezer last night to make a Toad in the Hole for dinner today as its a bit gloomy.  I've some potatoes from a Too Good to Go bag hanging around so I shall boil those with some other veg in the freezer and maybe some beans from the garden if any are ready again.

I've got some Angel Delights in the cupboard that I'd picked up from FarmFoods cheaply before so I shall make a chocolate and butterscotch dessert with those for tonight.  Very retro, I remember having those for treats when I was a kid.

themsthebreaks

Every so often, it’s requested I make a condensed milk cake. You only need 4 eggs, 150g s/r flour, a tin of condensed milk, 1tblsp vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. I don’t eat it myself, but can only go on how quickly it’s eaten, that it’s enjoyed 😊