Pre-holiday pantry challenge

[secretpantssam]

I actually just did this. I just moved, so the weeks before I just ate whatever I already had. Though one week, I ate soup for dinner like 3 days in a row! But I just gave in a went shopping on Monday after about a month away from the grocery store. I like seeing the cabinet empty.

 

[tinkarooni]

OK so today for Breakfast I made pancakes using some Trader Joes multi grain mix I found stuffed in the back. We also had slightly turning brown banana and a scoop of vanilla yogurt.

For lunch the kids took the last of the lunchmeat on sandwiches. I buy lunch meat every other week, the week in between we forage for things for lunch. They had apples, homemade cookies and bags of smartpop popcorn. I will eat whatever frozen thing I can nuke.

Dinner tonight will be leftover ham, potatoes augratin using a great copycat recipe for Ruths Chris Steakhouse YUMMM, frozen veggies and leftover corn muffins from yesterday.

I went foraging in the freezer and found some stew meat for tomorrow. Letting it thaw and I will throw it in the the crock tomorrow morning with some garden carrots and the ever present potato . We have Halloween parties at school tomorrow so after all that junk food it will be great to come home to a healthy ready to go dinner.

 

[charming23]

So I did my stock-up this morning and wow I saved 53.30 on everything I bought to stock the freezer. My grocery had almost everything BOGO.

So tonight I am using one of the frozen London Broils we have already in the freezer and I will have roasted potatoes and salad.

 

[PaulaSue]

Spent another 18 on milk, juice and fresh fruits/vegs... and a bag of animal crackers.

 

[keenercam]

I just told DH that I really want to try to use up what is in our pantry and freezer before doing any major grocery shopping. We went to Target Tuesday to check out their new grocery section, and I bought ground round for $1.99/lb and used all sorts of coupons to save more than $28 on items that were already on sale or on which the Target price was better than our normal grocery stores.

Now, I really want to make a calendar of menus, including a list of lunch ideas, and try to use up the bulk grains, baking mixes, pastas & frozen meat and veggies. I LOVE crock pot cooking and have come to the conclusion that the crockpot is a great way to use up lots of freezer foods, including things that have been around too long.

Thank you so much for starting this challenge. I really enjoy reading all the meal ideas and will make a list from here tonight.

 

[WDWHo]

Did my shoprite run today and got:

3 porterhouse steaks
5 chicken breasts
large package of italian sausage
12 arnold rolls
8 cans of gravy
dorritos
3 bags of purina catfood
3 bags frozen veggies
bananas
potatoes
Prego Spagetti Sauce
Bag of 5lb sugar
bag of peppers and onions frozen

Spent $26 on all of the above. Having alot of people over for Halloween so making sausage sandwiches.

 

[keenercam]

Did my shoprite run today and got:

3 porterhouse steaks
5 chicken breasts
large package of italian sausage
12 arnold rolls
8 cans of gravy
dorritos
3 bags of purina catfood
3 bags frozen veggies
bananas
potatoes
Prego Spagetti Sauce
Bag of 5lb sugar
bag of peppers and onions frozen

Spent $26 on all of the above. Having alot of people over for Halloween so making sausage sandwiches.

$26 for all of that food?!?!?!??! I am so stinkin' impressed! WOW! You should start a grocery shopping business and split the savings with your customers. That is just remarkable!

 

[belle41379]

I LOVE crock pot cooking and have come to the conclusion that the crockpot is a great way to use up lots of freezer foods, including things that have been around too long.

I also LOVE using my crock pot. I'm always looking for new recipes, so I'd be hear what you start doing.

My goal is to use ONLY things in our pantry/freezer for as long as possible (with the exception of milk/break/eggs, etc.) Like a PP, I too may end up having soup several days in a row!

 

[WDWHo]

$26 for all of that food?!?!?!??! I am so stinkin' impressed! WOW! You should start a grocery shopping business and split the savings with your customers. That is just remarkable!

Thanks I really didnt NEED anything but I had worked out such a good scenerio this weekend I had to do it. I had alot of coupons today, a $5/50 and the meat was really cheap this week.

 

[TxRabbit]

I also LOVE using my crock pot. I'm always looking for new recipes, so I'd be hear what you start doing.

My goal is to use ONLY things in our pantry/freezer for as long as possible (with the exception of milk/break/eggs, etc.) Like a PP, I too may end up having soup several days in a row!

Try the cookbook "Not Your Mother's Slow Cooker Cookbook." My favorite slow cooker cookbook.

 

[keenercam]

Belle -- Several times recently, I've taken a roast from the freezer, dropped it in the crockpot with water covering it, cooked it all day on low and then drained and rinsed. Then, I pull the meat apart and add barbecue sauce or a combination of 1 cup ketchup & 1 can of diet coke, mix it all together, and cook for 30 minutes on high, stirring occasionally. Great quick dinner over bread or mashed potatoes.

Another simple, no-recipe meal I've made is dropping chicken breasts in the crockpot, covering in salsa, putting a layer of frozen corn over the top, and cooking on low all day. It makes a mexican style entree and you can either shred the chicken or serve the breast pieces whole, topped with the salsa and corn mixture.

 

[belle41379]

Thanks! Here are some we do frequently:

Place frozen chicken and a can of cream soup (mushroom, chicken, etc) over it. No need to add water, just cook it on low all day. Add a veggie and you've got yourself a no-fuss healthy meal.

Throw whatever can beans you have in the pantry (red kidney, black, northern, pinto, hominy, etc) into the crock pot without draining. Add some green chilis and tomato sauce or V8 if you have any. If not, just add some spices. Cook on low all day. We like to top it with cheese. Makes a great Mexican style "soup", and is great for using up the sides you have lying around. You can also add corn if you'd like.

We also take frozen meat (usually hamburger or ground turkey) and toss it in with a package of dry pinto or northern beans. Cover with water and cook all day on low. Add some cornbread (and onions/relish if you'd like) on the side and you've got a yummy filling meal.

You can take tortillas, and whatever you would normally use to make mexican or itallian dishes, and layer it all in the crockpot with the flour tortillas. Turns out as a yummy layerd caserole type dish.

 

[neatokimmo]

Tonight was hot dog with chili night. Not the most healthy thing in the world but tasty and 100% freezer/pantry!

 

[Swimnoid]

OK, last night used up bread, a half bag of frozen blueberries in overnight baked french toast for "breakfast for dinner".

Tonight was frozen meat sauce from last month.

Out of town for the weekend

Next week planning to use from freezer of pantry...

pork roast from the freezer with potatoes on hand

salmon with a rice packet

Chicken enchiladas made last month.

Thats as far as I got. We'll see if I stick to it!

 

[Jen117]

I have been following this thread since the beginning and thought I should finally post. I am working from home PT for exactly one year now and have learned to eat clean out he pantry before restocking. However recently there have been great deals so I am a little overflowing. Also, in September we got a half a hog for dirt cheap, so the freezer is overflowing with pork chops and steaks. I need to clean some of this out. I have learned to budget and get a lot of groceries for really cheap, but I still want to clean out that freezer.

I have to shop tomorrow as I need food for DD's birthday party, but then I will be limiting even more until we eat some of this food. I plan to make more snacks for the kids instead of buying them and want to find some new recipes.

Also, even though I work out of my home, I still love my crock pot. I have 3!!!!

 

[acename]

Hi everyone! I'm a bit late but I'd love to join in.

Tonight we're having crockpot chicken and dumplings. This uses up some chicken breast and veggies from the freezer and some crescent rolls from the fridge. I'm also making a kale side dish I found on food network to use up some kale before it goes bad.

Hopefully during this challenge I can only buy diapers, veggies, milk and bread.

 

[keenercam]

Hi everyone! I'm a bit late but I'd love to join in.

Tonight we're having crockpot chicken and dumplings. This uses up some chicken breast and veggies from the freezer and some crescent rolls from the fridge. I'm also making a kale side dish I found on food network to use up some kale before it goes bad.

Hopefully during this challenge I can only buy diapers, veggies, milk and bread.

Do you put the biscuit/crescent dough in the crockpot? Do you put it in in the morning? or a while before you want to serve?

I decided to use up some chicken breast from the freezer, so I put everything in the crock last night and set up the crockpot this morning. I layered chicken breast, then taco seasoning, then canned crushed tomatoes and frozen corn. I have no idea how it will turn out. No recipe. Just hoping for the best.

 

[Jen117]

Hey Cam - When I make chicken and biscuits, I cut the biscuit into pieces and add it 30-60 minutes before we eat. I prefer leaving them in longer as my girls get all grossed out if there is a little mush the biscuit. The smaller or thinner the biscuit, the faster it will cook. I use them for chicken dumpling soup also.

 

[keenercam]

Hi, Jen!! How are you, sweetie?

So, do you turn the crockpot to high when you put in the biscuit dough? Or does the dough cook even if it is on low?

 

[momto1]

I spent $15 at the store last night for a halloween candy, salad, pears, Frito scoops for dh business, and a frozen pizza. I am eating leftovers for lunch along with salad.

Tonight will be the Rotini and Garlic bread from yesterdays plan.

I am hoping to make soup stock this weekend cleaning some things out of the freezer as well as banana bread from some frozen bananas.

Lori