Feeding Ourselves for the next week or so!

Well we are at that time of the month when the pennies get a bit tight!  Tighter this month because the car was MOTd, needed two new tyres which we have paid out for only to have the car totalled and written off.  I also did a major shop in a couple of tranches of meat for the month.  I should not need to top up massively on the meat front unless we run out of a particular ingredient.  I am so glad that I concentrated on stocking up so much this month.  I tend to do this when I can do it. I also did a major cleaning materials raid as well this last month.  Next time probably middle of the month, I will stock up on tinned goods as I am getting low on some items.

So what do we do to get by?  Well I start diving into the Freezer and the Pantry ingredients and the fresh items that I do have in the fridge.  I make use of what we have and do what I can within the time frame before the next pay day.  This is one of the main reasons that I try and maintain my Pantry stores, freezer items and fridge so much.  It does drive G a bit dippy at times, but I take the view that food for us is a priority and I cater for this each month with my housekeeping budget which also includes the Gas and the Electricity. I make sure that I have enough on both the Gas and Electricity to keep us warm (I need to do this at all costs) and also for keeping everything clean with the washing and the drying as well as being able to cook from scratch with what I actually have available to me.

For the next few days I have identified that we need milk, some butter, mushrooms and bread.  

Butter here is non-negotiable for me and I am considering in the longer term making my own butter once a month and freezing it until I need to use it.  I think the price will be comparable but that is something I will make a decision on after next pay day.  I have the equipment to make everything from scratch now to get started and sustain what I actually do need.

Generally at this time I do not shop properly only going out for items that I specifically need.  

Milk Now I do keep long-life milk in the Pantry but I tend to use this for puddings and for making homemade yogurt.  For drinking copious amounts of tea, only a little coffee and other hot drinks though I do prefer proper milk.    

Mushrooms are a general thing around here.  G eats them predominantly with his breakfast or with a good old fashioned mixed grill; although I do use them in Quiches, Chicken dishes and in Beef dishes.  I also dry them and equally use those in Quiches and soups and seasoning for gravies or soup.  Gives a little more depth to gravy.  I use sparingly as too much can be too much and so I do taste as I go along.

I have plenty of potatoes and onions and eggs in-house having also topped up on these in the middle of the month.  and as I have mentioned previously I now have a good stock of meat in the freezer to use for meals.  

Sunday

Drawing from the ingredients we do have to hand at the moment, tonight's tea is simple basically homemade chips, fried onions and a couple of Rib Eye steaks; these were taken out of the freezer last night, along with some hash browns, sausages, a Thai Chicken curry for myself and the two Rib Eye steaks.  

Monday 

I am going to make Pizzas.  It is a while since we have had them and yet again I have all the ingredients to hand. Flour, yeast and water to make the Pizza base/bases. This time I intend to make tray pizza and split it in half and top with fillings that reflect our individual tastes.  I also have tinned Pineapple, tomato passata and a selection of Charcuterie meats, as well as Anchovies available to use.  That will be another meal down.

Talking of bread, I do need some bread and will probably make a couple of loaves tomorrow evening (Sunday at the moment) in readiness for Tuesday.  Yet again I do have bread flour both Strong Plain white and Wholemeal as well as Yeast available.  I also think that there is some Spelt flour and Rye flour in the Pantry as well.  Useful for sandwiches or for serving with soup, or toast with something.  Always a good staple to have in house.  Any leftovers can of course be turned into bread crumbs, puddings etc.

Tuesday

Probably a scratch tea, something like Baked potatoes/sweet potatoes, coleslaw and a side salad, followed by some fruit and cream.  Yet again all ingredients to hand.

 

Wednesday

I think that this is going to be chicken based.  Maybe a Stir Fry, a Thai Curry, Curry or maybe even Chicken Chasseur.  We have not had that for a while.

Thursday

As I have some Cavolo Nero to use up, as well as a nice Cheddar in the fridge, I thought that could make a simple tomato, onion, kale and cheese pasta dish of some sort.  Yet again utilising ingredients that I have readily to hand.  I should be able to go shopping again on Tuesday week to pick up fresh supplies.

Friday

I have Sausages in the Freezer (not Italian ones) but still very good Sausages and thought that might do a Sausage and Roasted vegetables.  I have carrots, courgettes, potato, bacon, swede, sweet mixed peppers, shallots, onions, pickling onions and Leek available in the fridge.  Should be able to make a very tasty meal from these ingredients.

Saturday

I thought that I might make a homemade Quiche.   I have Lard, flour, Butter, eggs, milk, cheese, onions and dried mushrooms as well as Broccoli, French Beans, Tomatoes to hand.  Served with homemade chips I thought that this would make a good main meal with also some left over for snacking on through the day or going towards another meal.  Might also put a small side salad on the plate as well.

I would also add that I have in the fridge and the Pantry items required for making my own puddings, own pastry, and baking items such as cookies or cakes.  I need to get back into the swing of this but this will be all part and parcel of what I want to incorporate into my new routine which I am still working on.

Will see how this week goes.  Meal may get switched around onto different days, however I think all are feasible meals to head towards during the coming week.  What meals do you have planned for your week?  I ask as you may give me some ideas as to what to have for the following week.

Hope everyone is keeping well?

Catch you soon.

Pattypan

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