December Pantry Challenge

[kathirynne]

I have to make room in my (already slim) budget to do Christmas dinner (nothing extreme, just a little fancier than usual), so I've goaled myself to not spend ANY money for groceries between now and 23 December, when I will go and buy the few perishables I need for Christmas.

Anyone care to join me in cooking just with what we already have on hand in our cupboards?

MENU (I'll be updating it as I plan it...)

8 December: spaghetti, green salad, Jell-O

9 December: tofu and broccoli stirfry with peanut sauce over rice

10 December: turkey potpie, roasted baby potatoes, pumpkin muffins

11 December: stuffed bell peppers, green beans

12 December:

13 December:

14 December:

15 December: West-Mex potpie with cornbread topping, Spanish rice

16 December: pasta panna rosa, broccoli

17 December:

18 December: Dinner out at a local restaurant (with a giftcard) for my daughter's birthday

19 December:

20 December:

21 December:

22 December:

23 December: turkey noodle soup, rolls

24 December:

25 December: pumpkin cinnamon rolls, shrimp cocktail, turkey enchiladas, Spanish rice, refried beans, corn, cherry turnovers, cheesecake petit fours

26 December:

27 December:

28 December:

29 December:

30 December:

31 December: baked potato soup, biscuits

Edited by kathirynne - 12/8/11 at 12:32pm

[zebra15]

I need to work through some 'uglies' in my pantry this month.  The grocery store is also very busy and I get overwhelmed this time of year so this is a great challenge for me.

I have many canned soups to use up.  My son loves these.  I also have boxed potatoes / rice/ pasta and frozen chicken.

I don't have a meal plan, right now those just don't work for me but I can look at the pantry/freeze and 'see' many meals.

I hope I can just get perishables this month.

*I am feeding myself and an 11yr old son who eats like a grown man.  We eat 3 meals a day at home- so 21 meals a week plus a minimum of 7 snacks, actually 20, we have Saturday dinner out.  I know I need to cut this and come 2012 if I do the 'I'm not buying it" this is going to go away.

Some ideas-

breakfast: cereal, cereal bars, waffles

lunch: frozen meals, soups, left overs

dinner: chicken with veggie and pasta/rice, 'dinner in a bag', pasta and meatballs, 

[zebra15]

Ok  I'm going to try to keep track of things over here *please no flames about my pantry.

Dec 9 (friday)

B- Pop tarts

L- 'tv dinner', yoguart

D- hamburger helper - 1lb hamburger, box of 'helper'

Dec 10(sat)

B- Pop-tarts

L- friends house

D- went out

Dec 11 (sunday)

B- leftover take out

L- tv dinner

D- chicken, carrots, mashed taters

Dec 12 (monday)

B Pop-tarts

L Left over sunday dinner

D mom Lasgana, kiddo Left over sunday dinner

Dec 13 (tuesday)

B Pop-tarts (see a theme forming?)

L Tv dinners

D Hamburger Helper, mixed veggies, garlic bread, peppermint cookies  yummy

Dec 14 (wednesday)

B Breakfast Bar

L TV dinner,( chicken alfredo/veggies)

D Breakfast for dinner, eggs/sausage/toast

Dec 15 (thursday)

B Breakfast Bar

L Kiddo went to a friends house

D Dinner in a Bag

Dec 16 (friday)

B Pop-tarts, again!
L soup,crackers, possible left overs/ yogurt
D Taquitos, rice, veggie/ yogurt

Dec 17(saturday)

B Breakfast Bar

L Friends house
D Dinner out ritual  -Cracker Barrel - i LOVE this place!
Dec 18(Sunday)

B Donuts

L Corn Dogs
D Chicken/rice/broccoli casserole

Dec 19(Monday)

B Donuts

L Egg Salad

D Beefy Cheezy Mac/Salad/ yogurt

Dec 20(Tuesday)

B Waffles

L Sandwich

D Left Overs

Dec 21(Wednesday)

B

L

D Lasagana

Dec 22 (Thursday) - Day Trip

B Waffles

L Fast Food/ unless I pack a picnic

D Dinner Out

Dec 23 (Friday) **Possible road trip day

B

L Sweet Tomatoes Rest.

D ROADTRIP- Junk Food Dinner

Dec 24(Saturday)

B

L

D Lasgana, Garlic bread and salad

Dec 25 (Sunday)

B

L

D dinner at friends house, may need to provide dessert and sides

Dec 26 (Monday)

B  Waffles

L  Chili dogs, pickles and chips

D Take home left overs from christmas

Dec 27 (Tuesday)

B Granola bar

L Sandwiches

D Stouffers tray dinner, Salad, yogurt

Dec 28 (Weds)

B

L

D 

Dec 29 (Thurs)

B

L

D

Dec 30 (Fri) 

B

L

D

Dec 31 (Sat)

B

L

D Probably going out as usual, but early and cheap

Edited by zebra15 - 12/27/11 at 12:44pm

[Ragana]

I was thinking I will not be able to cook entirely out of the pantry until Christmas, but I think I can get close. Usually we don't stock up much, not having the space for it, but I have accumulated a few things to use up:

In freezer:

* Extra large container of chickpeas (cooked from dried, so it's a lot even after I made chickpea curry tonight) - would be nice to make something other than chickpea curry.

On shelf:

* Enough pasta and sauce for 3-4 meals

* Rice noodles and misc. other noodles

* Quinoa - I don't love it, although DH does, so maybe find some new recipes

* Sweet potatoes

Other (from parents going on vacation):

* 3 lg. chunks of gouda - any suggestions for casseroles or other recipes?

* Two crispers full of misc. vegetables they left us. This will be enough for side salads, plus there are some potatoes.

Particularly interested in recipes using gouda if anyone has any!

[zebra15]

Kathirynne- Happy belated birthday to your DD!