what to put in store cupboard/freezer?

[daisydee43]

hi

currently looking to build up a store cupboard and freezer so i can make nice simple meals cheaper.

currently do a big shop once a week but this is not working as am pg and often dont fancy what i bought or dh will get in late and fancy a snack instead etc

i finish work 1hr before i pick up dd so can pop to supermarket and get the nights dinner but typically spend £30 on main meals so cant afford much more than £5 a meal a night for 2 adults and dd 2 yo

any tips for what foods to store to make this pos?

[LuisSuarezTeeth]

Have you tried batch cooking? It can make things a lot easier, so things like casseroles and chilli etc.

Another thing to try is to buy a big pack of mince when it's on offer, chop a few onions and fry, then fry off the mince. Cool and freeze it and you have the basis of a bolognaise or lasagne, chilli, cottage pie or whatever.

I like to do time intensive things in bulk, so for example I buy a block of cheese and grate the lot in my processor, then put in a resealable bag as most of my use for cheese needs to to be grated.

I do a large bag of chopped onions in one go and freeze in smaller bags. A stinky job that can put you off starting a meal.

For your store cupboard, keep a stock of pasta, rice and noodles. Noodles are very quick to cook and you can chuck in meat/veg or whatever you like. I keep stock cubes, spices and herbs, Worcester sauce, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar as staples.

I waste very little and I keep a tray of leftovers in the freezer for such meals. For example leftover chicken and ham, peppers and onions, salami. These little bits also make great pizza toppings and if I open a tin of pineapple, I freeze the rest for a Hawaiian pizza.

Bags of frozen veg are very helpful - I have peas, peppers and sweetcorn.

If you have lemons, limes or oranges on the turn, cut them up and freeze them to add to drinks as flavoured ice cubes.

Eggs are good - omelettes in minutes especially if you have the "leftovers" tray in the freezer.

That was a waffle but hope it gives you some ideas

[daisydee43]

hi thanks for your reply. i already buy chopped onions and grated cheese as find theyre no more expensive than whole ones. yes need to sort the freezer so i can bulk cook more. struggle to get dh to eat caseroles etc but he did eat a cottage pie last week but wont eat rice except risotto and dd wont eat pasta but eats at cm 3 days week. really have no basic cooking skills though like what herbs to add etc

[LuisSuarezTeeth]

Oh you're up against it a bit then! What kind of things do you both like? I mean what would you ideally have if the cooking of it wasn't an issue?

[daisydee43]

dh likes burgers chips pizza etc really unhealthy stuff and seafood. i like salads and carbs and dd likes nuggets and beans type meals. lol there is very few meals we all like. but hoping to get some inspiration from going in shops

[LuisSuarezTeeth]

Do you all like pasta?

[daisydee43]

yes i do. dd wont eat it and dh only likes certain dishes. did a chicken stirfry tonight with a really simple recipe from step mum