Spring Pantry Challenge - Page 3

[Ruthla]

We're moving in about a month so I really want to use up as much as possible from my pantry first!! That and I goofed with my paperwork for Food Stamps so I don't currently have any, even though I'm eligible.

So how does this work? I tell you what's in my pantry and you help me figure out menus?

[Amys1st]

Originally Posted by Attila the Honey

The veggie burger recipes was originally posted in this thread

We make them a couple times a month, they are really good! Sweet, spicy, filling and CHEAP. :LOL

Thank you thank you to you & the original poster of this recipe! I get the best recipes from this discussion!

[Amys1st]

Originally Posted by Ruthla

We're moving in about a month so I really want to use up as much as possible from my pantry first!! That and I goofed with my paperwork for Food Stamps so I don't currently have any, even though I'm eligible.

So how does this work? I tell you what's in my pantry and you help me figure out menus?

Or better yet go thru your pantry and figure out what "meals" you already have and use that first. Then work with what you have. It works also for the freezer etc.

[Hollysmom]

Okay...today's the day.....this month we will.

1) Eat the bulk of our meals out of our freezer/pantry.
2) Only buy food that is absolutely necessary ie. dairy/produce.
3) Not buy anyTHING we don't absolutely need.

[Ruthla]

Should we start a new thread for June or keep this one going?

[Amys1st]

Originally Posted by Ruthla

Should we start a new thread for June or keep this one going?

I think we should keep this going...

[Hollysmom]

That sounds good to me.

Made pork chops from the freezer last night with canned baked beans from the pantry and rice. Mixed a can of tomatoes with chiles into the leftover rice and brought it for lunch today.

I am going to walk down to the market on my lunch today and pick up some produce for the week.

[Hollysmom]

Since I promised myself I was going to keep track of every penny that I spend on food this month....here I go. I forgot my lunch today : so I went to the grocery store bought a salad and some stuff to make a sandwich and then picked up some Annies shells and cheese because it was on sale.

June total: $ 6.62

On a brighter note I made a really nice meal from food in the pantry and fridge last night.

[Ruthla]

What can I do with the can of coconut milk in my pantry?

[Hollysmom]

Ruthla - What about making a Green Curry?

[Amys1st]

Having chicken & Dumplings for dinner, double batched for a later date in the freezer. Last night chicken cutlets- double batch for sandwiches and chicken parmigion in the freezer.

Tommorow shrimp risotto to use up the risotto in the pantry!

[Jennisee]

We're in Trader Joe's pizza mode around here. I live 3 hours from one, so when I visit my mom, I stock up. I have a half dozen TJ crusts in the freezer (79 cents each), 3 jars of TJ sauce in the cupboard ($1.29 each and lasts 2 pizzas), and bulk shredded cheese in the fridge. We've had plain cheese pizza twice this in the past week or so, and it is so yummy.

We also had a Memorial Day cook-out at my in-laws on Monday, and they always send the leftovers home w/ us. I used the grilled chicken and whole-wheat flatbread to make chicken rolls for supper yesterday (added cheese, Ranch sauce, and lettuce). And I've been eating the brats and baked potatoes for lunch.

Now I just need to figure out tomorrow night....

[Amys1st]

OK, so I am on this power cooking thing yesterday to feed the freezer and have a dinner of Chicken and Dumplings (my family loves this). I made up those veggie burgers- I HIGHLY recommend whipping up a batch- it makes 12 burgers and they are very tasty. Since all the ingredients were cooked before I made up the patties, I tasted it. I cannot wait to cook these up. Also a cup of lentils and a cup of rice makes 12 of them- I cannot think of a cheaper version of burger patties.

I also made up a list of freezer meals and pantry meals I can make and we have 15 meals all ready to go.

[Hollysmom]

Amy, sounds like you are taking this very seriously....good for you.

Well, ate out of the freezer again last And I remembered to bring my lunch today

I plan to make a bunch of stuff to feed the freezer this weekend.

[Amys1st]

Originally Posted by HollysMom

Amy, sounds like you are taking this very seriously....good for you.

Well, ate out of the freezer again last And I remebered to bring my lunch today

I plan to make a bunch of stuff to feed the freezer this weekend.

Thanks for the vote of confidence. Actually its more of a need this month than a want to play the game. We want to stay in the black instead of the red so we are in it for that. But I do try to do this every month since it keeps our food choices tasty but also it sparks a creative need to cook or use what we have thus making it a game or challenge.

[Ruthla]

OK, I went through my pantry and freezer. Remember, I'm moving the first week in July so my goal is to reduce the volume and weight of my food stuff before moving, then re-stock the pantry and freezer after moving.

In my pantry:

Olive oil
Matzah meal (tons of it, both whole wheat and white.)
5 lbs white sugar
a few packages of chocolate chips
Quick Oats
3 lbs brown sugar
1.5 lbs powdered sugar
1 16 oz canister (opened) carob powder
cocoa powder- 1 nearly empty, 1 sealed, 1 about halfway used up- 8oz each
whole grain cornmeal (originaly 5lb bag- maybe half left?)
4 lbs white flour
5 lbs whole wheat flour
potato starch
corn starch
1 18oz jar natural peanut butter
2 18oz jars Jif peanut butter
1 16 oz jar salsa
1 large can diced tomatoes
2 23 oz jars apple sauce
1 can coconut milk
4 cans crushed pinapple
2 cans pinapple chunks
1 4 oz jar pureed carrots
1 can beets
1 can sliced peaches
2 cans sliced pears
1 can baby corn
2 lbs brown rice
1 lb barley
3 lbs split peas (2 lbs green, 1 lb yellow)
1 lb lentils
1/2 lb black beans
in jars: more split peas, lentils, white rice, popping corn

In Freezer:

2 bags brocolli
2 lbs whole cranberries
1 large bag peas
1 opened bag spinach
1 large bag corn kernals

--------------------------------------------

I also have potato chips, pretzels, juice boxes, tons of WIC juice, cold cereals and instant oatmeal- but I don't need help figuring out how to use those!!!

I need to figure out how to use up what's in my pantry, and spend as little as possible on other foods to feed my family.

So far, I've spent $25.66 on food in June (getting more white flour, juice boxes and pretzels for packing lunches, generic cheerios and instant oatmeal for breakfasts, plus tissues, napkins, and trash bags.)

[Amys1st]

Ruth- maybe with those peas, lentils did I see beans? you can make a nice soup. Also all that canned fruit, put it together for a fruit salad. I also see Karob cookies in your future with all that flour or even some pancakes one morning for breakfast.
To get rid of the flour, try making some pizza doughs or make a bread.

Hopefully this helps

[Attila the Honey]

I have a ? and I figured this would be a good place to ask...

What is a good vegetarian source of protein for a spaghetti dinner? We usually make spaghetti, homemade sauce and a green veggie on the side - but without a dose of protein the meal feels unbalanced and doesn't satisfy. KWIM? We used to buy things like boca italian sausage or meatless meatballs, but, uh.. not anymore, obviously! :LOL

Any ideas?

[Hollysmom]

Have you tried throwing some lentils into the tomato sauce? I have a veggie friend who does that and her toddler loves it

[Amys1st]

Originally Posted by Attila the Honey

I have a ? and I figured this would be a good place to ask...

What is a good vegetarian source of protein for a spaghetti dinner? We usually make spaghetti, homemade sauce and a green veggie on the side - but without a dose of protein the meal feels unbalanced and doesn't satisfy. KWIM? We used to buy things like boca italian sausage or meatless meatballs, but, uh.. not anymore, obviously! :LOL

Any ideas?

I would make the veggie burgers posted pp and make them into balls. They have a very yummy flavor or do like kristine said and just throw the lentils in.
My dd also likes lentils.

So this month to date- under $30 for groceries. Mainly its all fresh stuff that I cannot pass up at this time. We have also been eating gobs of fruit.