I am so stupid. Is it any wonder I have no money

[phipps]

I have more food in the house than we will eat before I next do a food shop. I really need to just buy enough for the week, don't I?
I think I will have to make a note of what I have to use it all up, start again and then just buy what we need for the week.

Does anyone else have more food than they need and have some stuff that stays in the cupboard for weeks on end.

Does this post win the prize for most pointless one of the decade day?

If it's cupboard or freezer stuff, it doesn't matter, I like to keep stuff in "just in case" and only make sure I've got a limited amount of fresh stuff.

You're showing good housekeeping skills by making sure that your cupboards are always full of stuff you can use.

And you're making sure you have enough food just in case there is a zombie invasion and you need to hole up in the house for several months

OK Time to be a little sad make a note of everything you have and use that as a base for a weekly shop. You will save loads by t he sound of it!

True. I expect the zombies would come to me first as they smell of baking would entice them in.

I hope so mrspear. I spend so much.

I menu plan for the week.
But I do have non perishables in the cupboard.
I love buy one get one free, so do stock up when these are about.
Do not have more fresh than we will eat, as I have had to throw meat away before.
I am not very good using the freezer.

I mostly meal plan but the weeks I don't I really notice the difference. I get more stressed as I am happier when I know what we are all having as it is one less job. I have started sticking on the cupboard what is in the fridge in terms of meat, fish, meals and that helps.

Oh, you're not the only one. It's hard to keep on top of everything, all the time.

I only just figured out what Quidco was after seeing it mentioned for the umpteenth time on here.

Recipe plan for at least the the next 2 weeks in advance, making sure to buy nothing else except absolute essential perishables like milk.

That is what I need to do. I want to use everything up then start again.

Do you need inspiration?

There's bound to be some stuff in the fridge that can go in the freezer for now.

I am not one to turn down any new ideas thank you.

It is the cupboards that are full to bursting that annoy me really. I have a fear of my children going hungry but there is probably enough to feed all the children on the street in the kitchen cupboards.

I have to do some laundry now but I will get my backside in gear and plan plan plan.

Would help if DH wasn't so fussy about what he will eat. He just isn't as adventurous as me.

OK well if you list some of the things you have a glut of, I'm sure we can come up with some interesting ideas. I love menu planning

Have a look on the 'love food hate waste' website, it has lists of recipes for certain foods you may need to use up. Also try just put any ingredients need using up in the bbc recipe finder.

Off the top of my head there is -

soup - different flavours
rice - different types
lentils
spaghetti
baked beans
tinned tomatoes
orzo

lots of frozen veg

eggs

cheese

potatoes.

Pizza dough box thingy
Dumpling mixture.

My favourite lentil dish is:

Put washed brown (or ideally puy) lentils in a saucepan with a couple of cloves of garlic, a bayleaf and enough water to cover. Bring to the boil then cover and simmer until they are soft. Then add a teaspoon of salt.

Meanwhile get 3/4 large onions and fry until they are almost black (but start off slowly so they are soft). 2 minutes before the end, add a tablespoon or more of cumin seeds and some chilli flakes if you like spicy food.

Cook some rice, top with the lentils and then the onions. Add plain yogurt too if you like.

That sounds really nice but DH wouldn't eat it. Could I make it and then have it cold for lunch the next day like a rice salad?

Egg/potatoes is crying out for spanish omelette.

6 eggs
250ml olive oil
650g potatoes
1 onion

Slice the potatoes quite thinly and fry - try not to brown - them in the oil in a large saucepan. Towards the end add the onion. When done, drain and put in a bowl with the beaten eggs, some salt and pepper. Leave for 30 minutes if you can. Then add a bit of the oil to the pan, heat it up, add the potato/egg mixture (try to get the potatoes to lie flat) and cook quite gently until cooked half way through. Then grill the top. It's delicious.

Yes the lentil stuff is delicious cold. It freezes really well too, including if you mix the rice/lentils together.

What is it about DHs and lentils?!

If the onions are cooked until nearly black how do you do it without them tasting burnt?

I bought the lentils when I was feeling poor to try and make meals stretch but haven't used them.

The kids would like the omelette.

I'd just try making lentil soup and giving it to the kids. I didn't think mine would like it but they do. DS1 now asks for it all the time.

It sounds odd but it does work. Maybe think darker brown rather than black. You need them to be a bit crispy and to have a good flavour. It won't hurt if they are just sweet from being sweated though, if you are nervous!

I hardly ever give my kids soup. I will try it though. I like lentils and my kids take after me for not being fussy.

My DS1 (4) and DS2 (nearly 2) love both of these recipes, but they won't eat the onions on the lentils.