Spring Pantry Challenge

[MN_Gal]

I haven't posted much but I have been slowing using up pantry & freezer items. Have mostly only had to purchase bread, milk & fruit the past few weeks.

I hope to make a larger dent and then just stock up on meats when they are on sale and plan meals around the sale items.

 

[tavettava]

I did the last challenge and have been following this one but haven't posted. Dh finally got a job the only drawback is he works out of town m-f, then comes home on the weekends. He does take food with him because he has a kitchen where he is staying. So its just the kids and I. Dd takes her lunch (allergic to gluten), ds gets free, dh takes his to work too, and I take mine when I work.

Sunday-dh's parents took us out for dinner.

Monday- grilled cheese, tomato basil, and applesauce (all from the pantry)

Today- taco's, mexican rice, and corn (all from the stockpile)

Tomorrow- pork chops, red beans and rice in the crock, and maybe a salad.

Thursday-chicken and rice soup for me (I have the veggies already cut up in the freezer and the carcass of a chicken and leftover chicken) the kids don't want it so they decided on baked chicken, rice, and a veggie.

Friday-dh comes home and i think I'll make a meatloaf, smashed tatoes, and green beans.

Saturday- baked ocean perch, fries, and a veggie.

 

[tinkmom2]

My neighbor whom was in the hospital for 8 days gave us a $50.00 gift card for the local grocery store for watching her cats. It was totally unexpected but appreciated!

It's double coupon day at the store so I am ready to go! I am using my dollar coupons and higher in hopes of getting things for free today. This is a stockpiling trip rather than a normal grocery trip but I will pick up some things for the week too. I still have a freezer full of meat from last week.

When it rains it pours around here! My youngest DD has bronchitis and touch of pneumonia and my oldest and I have been sick all week as well. I have to try to look presentable today with a Rudolph nose

And to top it off our yearly car breakdown happen this week. Somehow it always ends up being $1000.00 So I am not going anywhere until we get the car back...Here's hoping you all are having a better day. I will post later what I buy at the store.

 

[charming23]

Yesterday I did our weekly grocery shopping and only spent $30 and it included a few stockpile items as well.

Lunch yesterday was a take and bake cheese pizza from the grocery store that I added some pepperoni and peppers from our own stockpile. Dinner last night was out for my Grandma's birthday and we used a gift certificate from restaurant.com that I got back when they did their 90% off promo.

Breakfast today was some yogurt and granola. Lunch was turkey hot dogs and carrots.

Dinner is going to be turkey burgers with sweet potato fries and zucchini.

 

[momto1]

Tongith I am working late and work if providing supper. DH and DS are supposed to do leftovers or a frozen pizza. We'll see what they do.

Lunch today was soup from a large stockpile, salad and yogurt.

Tomorrow - Shrimp, riche and zuchinni in the rice maker. I found the zuchini this morning. I thought I used those last week!

Lori

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

This week has gone pretty well for me, just need to do a few tweeks to the original plan. Tonight is going to be soup and sandwiches as everyones plans have been changing with the weather today...

 

[charming23]

Today breakfast is yogurt and fruit.

Lunch will be soup and sandwiches.

Dinner is going to be Chicken souvlaki with cucumber yogurt sauce and the rest of the zuchinni from last night. It was not on the original menu for the week but I found a cucumber in the fridge that needs to be used and I have everything else on hand.

 

[smiller]

We all would be glad to help, just give a breakdown of what you have in the cupboard, freezer and we can help you make the meals. Sometimes, I take each day from a different poster to make my week. The same ole's same ole's hit hard after a while and everything blurrs together.

That would be great! Today is "official plan the menus" day - it NEEDS to be done.

I've got a few ideas for the next couple of days:

Taquitos (use up baked chicken, taco meat) with rice and black beans
Tamale Pie (use up more tortillas and leftover black beans)
Pork Fried Rice (use rice from previous night - I've got all the ingredients)
Baked Penne (use up open spaghetti sauce)

I have a handful of premade meals in the freezer friends dropped off for us - great in a pinch! I just have to remember to thaw them out in time.

MEAT
Ground Beef
Pork Chops
Bratwurst
Chicken Nuggets
Chicken Tenderloins
Falafel
Canned Chicken Breast
Eggs
Lunchmeat (ham & turkey)
Breakfast Sausage
Beef Roast
Popcorn Shrimp

VEGGIES
Spinach
Artichoke Hearts
Hodge Podge (melange of veggies - actually is called Hodge Podge!)
Peas & Carrots
Broccoli
Green Beans
Tomatoes (frozen)
Asparagus
Carrots
Celery
Lettuce
Canned Sweet Potatoes
Black Olives
Red Beets
Onions
Acorn Squash
Russet Potatoes

STARCHES
French Fries
Corn Tortillas
Flour Tortillas
Rice
Instant Rice
Penne
Spaghetti
Farfalle
Couscous
Mac & Cheese
Baked Beans
Instant Mashed Potatoes
Wild Rice (tiny amt)
Crackers (at least 6 kinds)
White Bread
Whole Wheat Bread
Bagels
Pancake Mix
Waffles
Cinnamon Rolls

DAIRY
Mozzerella
American
Veg Cream Cheese
Cream Cheese
Cheddar
Mexican Blend
Cheddar Jack
Monterey Jack
Parmesan
Sour Cream

FRUIT
Chunk Pineapple
Fruit Cocktail
Tropical Fruit Salad
Apple Sauce
Cranberries
Oranges
Apples
Grapefruit
Dates
Blueberries

Also a plethora of condiments, sauces, and marinades.

Here's what I have on my radar:
Beef Stew (roast, carrots, celery, potatoes, onions)
Shepherd's Pie (ground beef, mashed potatoes, celery, carrots, onion, etc.)
Cranberry Bread (cranberries, oranges)
Breakfast for Dinner (pancakes, sausages, eggs)
Scrambled Eggs with Spinach and Cream Cheese (I love this!)

I can always make quesadillas, grilled cheese, canned soup, fruit, etc. to keep the kids happy at lunch time. Now that DSis and DBiL are here in the household, though, I better get cooking for real!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Here's what I plan on making through the weekend.

Stroganoff (Slow Cooker Overnight Tonight)
Beef Stir Fry (Tonight's Dinner)
Pork Roast w/ Mashed Potatoes (Friday)
Pastitsio (Saturday or Sunday)

 

[smiller]

Here's what I plan on making through the weekend.

Stroganoff (Slow Cooker Overnight Tonight)
Beef Stir Fry (Tonight's Dinner)
Pork Roast w/ Mashed Potatoes (Friday)
Pastitsio (Saturday or Sunday)

Okay - totally had to Google Pastitsio - it sounds so good!

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

MEAT

Ground Beef
Pork Chops
Bratwurst
Chicken Nuggets
Chicken Tenderloins
Falafel
Canned Chicken Breast
Eggs
Lunchmeat (ham & turkey)
Breakfast Sausage
Beef Roast
Popcorn Shrimp

VEGGIES

Spinach
Artichoke Hearts
Hodge Podge (melange of veggies - actually is called Hodge Podge!)
Peas & Carrots
Broccoli
Green Beans
Tomatoes (frozen)
Asparagus
Carrots
Celery
Lettuce
Canned Sweet Potatoes
Black Olives
Red Beets
Onions
Acorn Squash
Russet Potatoes

STARCHES

French Fries
Corn Tortillas
Flour Tortillas
Rice
Instant Rice
Penne
Spaghetti
Farfalle
Couscous
Mac & Cheese
Baked Beans
Instant Mashed Potatoes
Wild Rice (tiny amt)
Crackers (at least 6 kinds)
White Bread
Whole Wheat Bread
Bagels
Pancake Mix
Waffles
Cinnamon Rolls

DAIRY

Mozzerella
American
Veg Cream Cheese
Cream Cheese
Cheddar
Mexican Blend
Cheddar Jack
Monterey Jack
Parmesan
Sour Cream

FRUIT

Chunk Pineapple
Fruit Cocktail
Tropical Fruit Salad
Apple Sauce
Cranberries
Oranges
Apples
Grapefruit
Dates
Blueberries

Also a plethora of condiments, sauces, and marinades.

Here's what I have on my radar:
Beef Stew (roast, carrots, celery, potatoes, onions)
Shepherd's Pie (ground beef, mashed potatoes, celery, carrots, onion, etc.)
Cranberry Bread (cranberries, oranges)
Breakfast for Dinner (pancakes, sausages, eggs)
Scrambled Eggs with Spinach and Cream Cheese (I love this!)

Your cabinet is stocked well and have tons of options..

chicken nugget/chicken tenderloins dinner with a starch, squash and a fruit.

If the chicken tenderloins are not breaded, you can make a great breading with the crackers to use them up.

Another use for crackers would be a casserole topping. Smash, add a little butter and top the casserole.

Spaghetti night with homemade meatballs (hamburger meat) and garlic crisps. Use your flour tortillas (I have never done this with corn), spread a little butter on them, top with garlic powder and parmesian cheese (or any cheese). Bake at 400 until crispy.

Pork Chops with white gravy are always good. Fry up the pork chop and with the drippings add equal amounts flour. Then add milk to create a gravy. You need to use salt/pepper with this one. Then you could add mashed potatoes, a veggie, and applesauce. Pork chops = applescauce... yummo!

The bratwurst sounds wonderful with the baked beans and a nice big fruit salad.. This screams out - Summer!

 

[smiller]

Your cabinet is stocked well and have tons of options..

chicken nugget/chicken tenderloins dinner with a starch, squash and a fruit.

If the chicken tenderloins are not breaded, you can make a great breading with the crackers to use them up.

Another use for crackers would be a casserole topping. Smash, add a little butter and top the casserole.

Spaghetti night with homemade meatballs (hamburger meat) and garlic crisps. Use your flour tortillas (I have never done this with corn), spread a little butter on them, top with garlic powder and parmesian cheese (or any cheese). Bake at 400 until crispy.

Pork Chops with white gravy are always good. Fry up the pork chop and with the drippings add equal amounts flour. Then add milk to create a gravy. You need to use salt/pepper with this one. Then you could add mashed potatoes, a veggie, and applesauce. Pork chops = applescauce... yummo!

The bratwurst sounds wonderful with the baked beans and a nice big fruit salad.. This screams out - Summer!

Thank you for the ideas!

I knew there had to be something else to do with the crackers - will definitely use them as a topping.

Question: what happens if you mix this cracker topping with cheese? Will the crackers get all soggy? Or could I put them on top of the cheese?

Those garlic crisps sound good, too! I might try this on Saturday.

Pork chops and applesauce - definitely DBiL loves pork chops. But I never have good luck frying them - what do you fry them in? How long? Until they "look" done - or get a little brown? I'm always afraid of drying them out.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Thank you for the ideas!

I knew there had to be something else to do with the crackers - will definitely use them as a topping.

Question: what happens if you mix this cracker topping with cheese? Will the crackers get all soggy? Or could I put them on top of the cheese?

Those garlic crisps sound good, too! I might try this on Saturday.

Pork chops and applesauce - definitely DBiL loves pork chops. But I never have good luck frying them - what do you fry them in? How long? Until they "look" done - or get a little brown? I'm always afraid of drying them out.

I have a zucchini casserole that has cracker, cheese, melted butter as the topping. It is always crisp. Just make sure to melt the butter, add the crackers, and add the cheese last.

 

[tinkmom2]

Well it's not been a great week here. My dd has bronchitis and pneumonia, I have a sinus infection, and a cold, and my oldest is sick also. Needless to say I still had to go grocery shopping yesterday.

I think I posted earlier that we had a gift card. This is not our normal store and I had intended on spending $100.00 and using the $50.00 gift card. It didn't work out that way. I spent $144.75, used the gift card, and still had to pay $94.00. It was double coupon day so I did save about $40.00 in store and double coupons. However I was very irritated the store flyer prices were not coming up and had to argue with a cashier. I ended up winning

We are well stocked up again and this is some of what we are eating for the week:
Taco soup with tortilla chips and cheese
fried chicken with mashed potatoes
lasagna with garlic bread
baked tilapia with a potato
we had Bobby Flay's Miami Burgers last night plus Rachael Ray's onion rings(Yum-o!)

It's a good thing I don't have much of an appetite this week! My dh requested the lasagna and that will last two days.
Well hope everyone is having a good week!

 

[smiller]

I have a zucchini casserole that has cracker, cheese, melted butter as the topping. It is always crisp. Just make sure to melt the butter, add the crackers, and add the cheese last.

Thanks! I'll give this a try.

The taquitos were a hit tonight - rolled up leftover taco meat or canned chicken breast, a little Mexican cheese blend, and fried in corn oil until crisp.

Served with salsa, sour cream, Mexican cheese blend, mashed black beans, and rice.

Tomorrow's lunch will be something created with flour tortillas, leftover chicken, leftover black beans, black olives, the aforementioned condiments, and maybe even some lettuce. Quesadillas? Tostadas? Who knows!

The leftover rice will turn into chicken fried rice for Saturday lunch, most likely.

 

[pjlla]

I ended up spending $123 at the grocery store this past Sunday night. But I stuck with just buying fresh produce, bread, eggs, milk, juice, and seltzer (an essential for me!). I didn't buy any meat or grocery items.

Right now I have a large whole chicken, a pork roast, a pork tenderloin, a pack of plain steak tips, and a large tupperware of chicken soup stock defrosting in the fridge. None of it is defrosted enough to use tonight, so tonight's supper is still up in the air. Hopefully SOMETHING will be defrosted enough by the morning to put it in the crockpot. DD has a swim meet tomorrow out of town, so I would love to have a meal ready in the crockpot when we return home. Same story for Sunday.

If I could get my breadmaker going, I could make dough to make hamburger rolls for tonight and we could have Boca burgers and homemade oven fries (since I bought potatoes on Sunday!). Sounds like a plan!

Thanks to everyone for sharing their ideas this month!..............P

 

[momto1]

I spent a little over $6.00 yesterday but I desperately needed some fresh produce. So I got asapargus, pineapple, baby carrots and brocoli.

Last night we did shrimp, rice and asparagus in the rice cooker aloing with garlic hot dog buns.

Tonighs is going to be boneless chicken breast broiled with some type of marinade haning in the fridge squash and baked potatoe.

We still have some leftover pulled pork, chicken leg 1/4 and rice in the firdge. That will be lunch for dh today and part of tomorrow.

I think I am going to try to make choc chip cookies from an open package and Tastefully Simple beer bread this weekend. That will be 2 more things out of the pantry.

Lori

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I switched Thurs/Friday meals. We had spaghetti yesterday and today I am trying orange chicken in the crockpot. I have brown rice to use up and some asian veggie mix in the freezer.

Our weather has been sooo cold that I just want to sit under the blankets and forget about cooking. Thank God for the crockpot.

 

[charming23]

I switched Thurs/Friday meals. We had spaghetti yesterday and today I am trying orange chicken in the crockpot. I have brown rice to use up and some asian veggie mix in the freezer.

Our weather has been sooo cold that I just want to sit under the blankets and forget about cooking. Thank God for the crockpot.

Same here. I have some split chicken breasts in the crockpot with some carrots and onions that I will then turn into Chicken and dumplings for dinner tonight.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Same here. I have some split chicken breasts in the crockpot with some carrots and onions that I will then turn into Chicken and dumplings for dinner tonight.

That sounds like a plan for Sunday!