Pantry Challenge mamas - Page 3

[quest4quiet]

So far so good. We ate leftovers for lunch. Dinner was black beans, couscous, chicken and salad made from our pita fixin's from last night.

Amys1st- I think the harshness was warranted. Catarina's tone struck me as quite condescending.

I am really enjoying this....a week or 2 from now....that's another story :LOL

[Greensleeves]

"Pantry Challenge!!! Yeeeeehawwww!!!"




Okay, tonight is rice and canned pinto beans mixed with finely shredded cooked carrots and chopped spinach, topped with cilantro lime salsa and cheese. The apple crumble was pretty good last night, so I may do a repeat performance with the last apples, although I may mix the butter into the crumble mixture instead of just dotting with butter.

Sounds like everyone is doing really well! I will have to run to the store for milk and fruit tonight, but I promise not to stray to the cookie aisle.

[Catarina]

I'm sorry, everybody, that I sounded like a kill-joy and condescending.

I did want to know how it would make financial sense for people to use up all their pantry food at once. I guess I was seeing things too much from my own perspective - I don't have a car, and have to shop little and often. When I have a well-stocked pantry and freezer, it makes me feel thrifty and efficient, not the opposite.

I'm also trying to use up the things we've got in the freezer to save money after the Christmas splurge - but I guess I just felt confused by people planning to use up everything, down to the flour.

And as to banana bread - like I said, of course I do this myself when I've got brown bananas. BUT, if I wasn't planning on buying banana bread, then, despite the fact that it's nicer to have the banana bread, it would still be cheapest of all for me to throw out the bananas. Anyhow, I've had my punishment on this point- two bunches of deep green, rock hard bananas sitting in my fruit bowl.

So, peace, and may all your cans and boxes end up as tasty meals.

[Yin Yang]

Originally Posted by Catarina

I'm sorry, everybody, that I sounded like a kill-joy and condescending.

I did want to know how it would make financial sense for people to use up all their pantry food at once. I guess I was seeing things too much from my own perspective - I don't have a car, and have to shop little and often. When I have a well-stocked pantry and freezer, it makes me feel thrifty and efficient, not the opposite.

I'm also trying to use up the things we've got in the freezer to save money after the Christmas splurge - but I guess I just felt confused by people planning to use up everything, down to the flour.

And as to banana bread - like I said, of course I do this myself when I've got brown bananas. BUT, if I wasn't planning on buying banana bread, then, despite the fact that it's nicer to have the banana bread, it would still be cheapest of all for me to throw out the bananas. Anyhow, I've had my punishment on this point- two bunches of deep green, rock hard bananas sitting in my fruit bowl.

So, peace, and may all your cans and boxes end up as tasty meals.

I don't think you still get the point of what we are trying to achieve here
I am not trying to use everything up so my panrty is empty again. We are just rying to use what is already in our pantry. The point isn't to use it all up. But to use it at all. In my case it is not even the money, but trying to be more efficient. I go and spend a lot of money on food and 2 days later there is nothing to eat, but my pantry is stillfood, KWIM? So we are helping out each other to give us some ideas what to cook from all the stuff that is in our pantry.
For example i have a lot of hot cereals that i rarelly use. i bought them and did not like them and now they are taking space up. so i am looking for way how to use them.
anyway, gotta go...........

[nitareality]

We have a similar banana issue at our house. We take our frozen bananas, cut them into 4-5 pieces and throw them in the blender with vanilla yogurt to make banana smoothies. Very tasty!

[janerose]

Originally Posted by Catarina

I'm sorry, everybody, that I sounded like a kill-joy and condescending.

I did want to know how it would make financial sense for people to use up all their pantry food at once. I guess I was seeing things too much from my own perspective - I don't have a car, and have to shop little and often. When I have a well-stocked pantry and freezer, it makes me feel thrifty and efficient, not the opposite.

I'm also trying to use up the things we've got in the freezer to save money after the Christmas splurge - but I guess I just felt confused by people planning to use up everything, down to the flour.

And as to banana bread - like I said, of course I do this myself when I've got brown bananas. BUT, if I wasn't planning on buying banana bread, then, despite the fact that it's nicer to have the banana bread, it would still be cheapest of all for me to throw out the bananas. Anyhow, I've had my punishment on this point- two bunches of deep green, rock hard bananas sitting in my fruit bowl.

So, peace, and may all your cans and boxes end up as tasty meals.

I think Pavlina hit it on the head with her post.

And hey, if nothing else you got some great tips in this thread on how to keep those bananas from going brown a little longer once they start to ripen. :LOL

[Amys1st]

Cataerina- Peace!
I agree- you are missing the point. Everyone is trying to make due with what they have. Some to save some cash, while others to try something new and yet others to clean out what they have and get to eat some different meals along the way. I am no way trying to get rid of everything- just trying to clean out and start fresh. I do this in all parts of my life.
Right now I am detoxing and cleansing my liver and colon. Its a new year, time to have a clean slate. Also we are using gift cards given to us over the year. They are just sitting in the drawer. We are going to a matinee this after noon to use the movie giftcard. DD has her favorite babysitter coming over to play-she cannot wait! We have also decluttered as we do all the time. See my declutter thread in personal growth.

So instead of punishment, turn those green bannanas into a bread from the recipe I posted in time- it has gotten rave reviews! We hope you join us and do it for the sheer joy then of trying something new and not saving money but saying- Wow that was neat!

[janerose]

Well, we're heading out of town today so not much cooking going on around here. Going into Burlington to pick up some freecycle stuff & check out the thrift shops for dipes & clothes. Man but this girl grows FAST!!!

I will stop while we're out & get the couple things we need...including bananas of course. At this point I think I'd buy them even if we didn't need them just to try out all those cool tips on how to keep them from over ripening so quickly.

Tomorrow while DH is home I'm going to do some cooking for the week. Hoping to make up some batches of rice & pasta to use as quick bases in dishes, plus sauces to put on them when we want a quickie meal. I'm also going to cook up the roaster chicken in the freezer. We should get a few meals out of that. Chicken & dumplings, chicken quesadillas, and easy chicken pot pie. Here's the recipe for the pot pie becuase it's SOOOO quick:

Easy Chicken Pot Pie

Couple cups of leftover chicken, cubed or shredded
couple cups of mixed veggies
1 can of condensed cream of chicken soup (I'm sure this would work fine with pretty much any "cream" type soup)
salt & pepper to your taste

Mix all the above in a casserole dish. Top with bisquick mix done according to the side of the package (actually I think this recipe comes from the bisquick box!). If you don't have bisquick do a search on-line for how to make your own bisquick type mix. Bake at 350 until the topping is done.

I can post with more detailed measurements later if anyone needs it. But now I gotta go. Have a good day everyone!

[Amys1st]

Originally Posted by nitareality

We have a similar banana issue at our house. We take our frozen bananas, cut them into 4-5 pieces and throw them in the blender with vanilla yogurt to make banana smoothies. Very tasty!

Thats an idea- DD would LOVE that!

Also- Take plain yogart and bannanas and a few strawberries- blend with blender or whatever. Dh adds a bit of cane sugar for his sweet tooth.

Very good smoothie or pour into icy pops and freeze. Very yummy. We do this when the yogurt is about to expire, we have a few pieces of fruit and presto- a nice healthy treat

[nitareality]

I joined this thread very late, but I just wanted to throw in my reason for finding this thread and challenge very appealing. I am addicted to purchasing canned food for blizzard scenarios that never happen. I also have a serious impulse purchase problem in the ethnic food area. My pantry has the appearance of the shopper being a raving hungry pregnant woman, because I was, LOL! So in terms of potentially turning over a new leaf and being more frugal and planful in my shopping, as well as using up 6 months worth of food bought on impulse while pregnant and a little nutty this challenge has my name written all over it.

[Amys1st]

Anita- welcome! Blizzard scenerios- sounds like us but we did get snowed in this week so this is very timely. Pretend you have a blizzard and let us know what your menu looks like

I just made a list of about 10 meals we can eat that we have ready to go with ingredients or in the fridge/freezer. I plan on just having DH select from the list what we will eat since most of them are his favorites. Still no big grocery trip in the near future. But I do have 4 items in case we do need to go.

[member]

Originally Posted by janerose

Easy Chicken Pot Pie

Couple cups of leftover chicken, cubed or shredded
couple cups of mixed veggies
1 can of condensed cream of chicken soup (I'm sure this would work fine with pretty much any "cream" type soup)
salt & pepper to your taste

Mix all the above in a casserole dish. Top with bisquick mix done according to the side of the package (actually I think this recipe comes from the bisquick box!). If you don't have bisquick do a search on-line for how to make your own bisquick type mix. Bake at 350 until the topping is done.

This looks excellent! Tip: if you don't have cream soup or can't use it because of the MSG, you can make a quick sub with 2 tbsp butter, 2 tbsp flour, 1/3 cup dry milk and 2/3 cup water. Whisk the milk with the water. Melt butter, whisk in flour and then whisk in milk. You can also add sauteed celery, mushrooms or whatever you like to get more flavor.

Welcome, Anita!!! I have a similar pantry, and I don't even have a pregnancy to blame it on.

Currently, I have a plethora of beans, leftover chicken, salsa and cheese. I concocted this: take canned refried beans or puree some (or not) and place at the bottom of a greased 8 x 8 pan. The pile on leftover over chicken (diced or shredded) and then cheese of choice (sliced thin or shredded) and finally an entire jar of salsa. Cover and bake for 30 minutes at 350* and then pile on lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream and hot sauce if desired. This is really good and if there are leftovers they make a good dip.

[Amys1st]

leftover? would you really have leftovers with all that yummy stuff? I would just make it a dip to begin with Yumm! :LOL

[Greensleeves]

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[isosmom]

I'm in, as soon as my visiting ILs go home on Monday. We have a few meals to eat out, including dd's birthday on Sunday, before they go home, but we've got no money, a pretty full pantry and only $35 left on our Trader Joe's gift card from xmas, so I'm ready. Loving the ideas!

[member]

Today I am using up my plethora of eggs and cheese by making a crustless quiche for the next few days. I also assembled my Mexican layer casserole for tomorrow's supper, now tucked safely away in the fridge for tomorrow. I have some knarled apples in the crisper that I'll cut up later today and toss with raisins for a quick bake in the oven.

[tnrsmom]

I just realized I have not posted here yet. I think the best part about this for me is that I have to plan our dinner very early in the day. I am usually the one scrambling around at 5:00 trying to figure out dinner.

We have been using the crockpot quite a bit lately. Tonight we are having Schwanns breaded chicken breast patties with cheese and same sort of sauce, I am thinking a tad of alfredo sauce.

Getting to the end of the meat and I have no beans left either. It is about time to get REALLY creative. LOL We have been out of milk for 4 days (may have to buy some today), used the last eggs last night.

So what can I do with all these oatmeal packets my kids decided they did not like? I bought a big box at Costco and they are just sitting.

[Amys1st]

Stephanie- I knew you'd make it over here!

The packets of oatmeal if all else fails, does any of the local schools serve breakfast? They could use it or a food pantry would take it. I do know the local homeless shelter would love it for the am's. Ours is always asking for stuff for the mornings.

This is another reason why I can't do costco- I too would be left with a huge amount of something that will not be eaten but we've already had that argument!

[tnrsmom]

Thanks Amy. Usually I do not buy anything there unless I know we will eat it. Unfortunately, this was one of those few things. :

I was thinking of using it for Oatmeal cookies. So what if they are maple/brown sugar/apple/cinnamon/raisin oatmeal cookies right? :LOL

[member]

Originally Posted by tnrsmom

So what can I do with all these oatmeal packets my kids decided they did not like? I bought a big box at Costco and they are just sitting.

Depending on the flavor, mixed with a bit of butter, they could make a great topping for baked fruit.