Eating out of the freezer and cupboards challenge - part two

Ginmonster wrote: »

I used up some tins too yesterday. I made peach and chickpea curry for family lunch which we had with hm naan from the freezer. Feeling like I'm making progress. I saw someone suggest on another thread making an inventory of cupboards, fridge and freezer on a spreadsheet so you know exactly what you have of everything and don't buy things you already have. I might give it a try although it'll be a monster task to set up to begin with.

No new groceries in but we did have a planned meal out (curry again !) in the evening as we had a babysitter booked.

You've inspired me to make that curry, I've been meaning to for ages. I would recommend giving making an inventory a try as it has really worked for me. Each month after I get my big food shops I do an inventory and I find it so helpful. Sometimes I transfer it to a spreadsheet, and other times I just keep the sheets of paper somewhere handy. If I do transfer it to a spreadsheet I colour the cells red (to be eaten ASAP) Orange (Expires in a few months) or Yellow (Won't expire before it gets used up) so I can plan my meals better.

K9sandFelines wrote: »

I put mine in a big A4 book and have three freezers. I cross off as it gets used and then rewrite when it gets messy. There's also an app called freezer manager.I am thinking of duplicating the list to.

That app sounds really interesting and I will have a look for it.

Did some more cooking today.

OUT

Tin of baked beans, leftover chilli red beans, 100g dried soya mince, 2 carrots, 4 potatoes, 1 sweet potato, 2 eggs, 150g cheese, tin of green lentils, frozen peppers, onion, sweetcorn and broccoli.

IN

3 spare portions of veggie cottage pie.

I was given a cheese making kit by mum yesterday. It was a present 2 xmases ago for dad and he's never used it, like so many gifts. So it's come to live with me. Prepare for much moaning about too much goat cheese! Haha. Although I already have muslin, citric acid and salt, the thermometer is handy.

Cooked up the big chicken. Looks like we will make risotto, curry and possibly sandwiches as well as soup (and having had roast)! Tuesday will be busy so I will be attempting a rare batch cook on Monday. Used the last of the fish up at lunch time and thanks to the mini food hoover I've taken out another loaf of bread from the freezer. Also out the freezer was a 4 pint of milk and a pack of ham.

I think I will use up the leeks tomorrow. The gravy left from today will go in the risotto. Mushrooms will take a hit, and celery and carrots, garlic, ginger, tomato puree, tinned tomatoes, last of the natural yogurt, onions and the whole chicken. Should save myself cooking for a few days too!

Out yesterday - 1 x 400g pack of mince. In today 7 portions of Butternut Squash and Bean Chilli, and that's after we eat 2 portions for dinner. This stuff breeds:eek:

Also out, 2 cooked chicken breasts for lunches. Lots of veg prepped for the week. 2 cod portions eaten for dinner last night.

But also added, homemade fudge, 5 tuna fishcakes (HM), 4 baked eggs and 4 portions of sausage breakfast.

I'm about to play Tetris as my MF order has to go somewhere.:rotfl:

Lol, always nice to be able to identify what you're eating!

Zafiro, I had a read through the instructions and it seems quite simple. I'll type them up in here later today.

I've been cooking up a storm this morning. The £4 chicken I bought gave us both a generous roast dinner yesterday, then today I've made stock, curry, risotto and made chicken soup from the stock. I used a bit of stock and the left over gravy in the risotto too. I make my gravy from the stock. I didn't know that there was another way until a friend laughed at me for looked puzzled as to what gravy granules were. That was last year... Haha. I slung some wine into the soup and the risotto as well. I was given the wine and I don't drink much. I now have risotto for two, curry for 4-6 and soup for 4-6 as well as some chicken for a sandwich and a jug extra of stock all that plus the roast we had. I've never had a chicken stretch so far!