Another help me make meals with what I have on hand, thread...

[pampered_mom]

I fully acknowledge that this should probably go in the Meal Planning Thread, but I don't think there is much traffic over there. I'm in desperate need of some help. I've got $25 left until payday - I'm planning on getting some milk and butter as well as making some yogurt. Here's what I have on hand - help me make two weeks worth of meals (lots of meat b/c we just got our CSA box)...

Frozen
Chicken
Chicken bones/neck for stock
3lbs ground beef
1lb lamb riblets
Pork neck bones
2lbs ground pork
2 pork shoulder steaks
2.6 lbs beef rump roast
5lbs bone-in chuck roast
2 pkgs meaty shanks
2 packages beef soup bones
Several quarts of applesauce
5 quarts spaghetti sauce
grated zucchini
sliced carrots
green beans
corn
Sourdough pizza crust

Miscellaneous
Brown rice
steel cut oats
almond butter
sourdough starter
lentils
quinoa
amaranth
barley
butternut squash
potatoes
onions
carrots
black beans
whole wheat pastry flour
whole wheat flour
succant
rye flour (for my sd starter)
3 dozen eggs
Lots of spices
Sea salt
Balsamic Vinegar
Olive oil

TIA! I'm feeling very overwhelmed by our situation and am encountering a mental block. I need all the brain power I can and want to stay as NT as possible.

ETA: I would probably skip the milk altogther b/c I can't get raw - have to travel too far and will likely need to get more conventinolal whole milk. However, I figure I'll need to get the milk anyway for my 20 mo old toddler (bm is not an option - haven't done that since he was a week old - very long story)

[gardenmommy]

Hmmm... Off the top of my head, here are some ideas:

Roast Chicken with veggies (depends on what you have, could be steamed broccoli or green beans, roasted sweet or white potatoes, squash, etc.)

Chicken soup: use the carcass to make broth, add veggies and rice/noodles if you want something else in it

Chicken Pot Pie: good with leftover chicken.

Beef pot roast. Crock pot it or cook it long and slow in the oven. Add some veggies and you are good to go.

Roast beef sandwiches with the leftovers.

Veggies beef stew or soup with the leftovers.

Beef pot pie with leftover roast.

Roast the soup bones/meaty shanks in the oven until the meat is falling off the bones. Separate the meat from the bones and save it for something like barbeque sandwiches. Use the bones for stock, and make soup.

You can always use the spagetti sauce as a base for something like pizza soup.

Make baked oatmeal: it makes alot, and reheats well.

Shepherd's pie: layer meat of some sort with veggies of some sort (just use what you like/have on hand/have cooked), top with broth/mushroom soup, top that with mashed potatoes (either sweet or white), and bake until it's bubbly.

Applesauce makes great snacks, muffins, breads, breakfasts.

Soups can be very creative. I never follow a recipe, and always use only what is on hand. There are lots of things that can be tossed in a soup and consumed. If you aren't sure, try pureeing it.

When I am really tight on money, I try not to let anything go to waste. I try to use up all my leftovers, although they aren't usually served the same way I first made the dish. I've had some really good results with just being creative.

With my family, I would save the eggs for baking or sandwiches. I would not use them for breakfasts, as we can go through nearly a dozen at once.


Ok, that's all I can think of at the moment. If I think of more, I'll post it.

[ConsCathMamma]

The spaghetti sauce would also be good in the crockpot with the roast.

[pampered_mom]

Originally Posted by ConsCathMamma

The spaghetti sauce would also be good in the crockpot with the roast.

Huh....I never would have thought of that! Thanks!