60 day freezer/pantry challenge (menu help wanted)

[Contrary Housewife]

The bank statements are in and.... we spent over $800 on groceries and dining out last month. For two people.

The good news is I still have most of those groceries so I am challenging myself to 1. eat from the stockpile until Aug 15, and 2. spend no more than $40 a week on fresh vegetables and dairy as needed.

Meat on my short list:
salmon steaks
cube steak
pork loin (serves 6)
chicken thighs (for 6)
chicken wings
italian turkey sausage
turkey hot dogs
turkey tender filets (serves 5)
pork steaks
tuna steaks
ham steaks

pantry list:
black beans
white rice
brown rice
wild rice
broccoli rice
garlic butter rice
yellow rice
dirty rice mix
chick peas
chicken broth x3
refried beans x2
cream corn x2
crushed pineapple
italian herb tomato paste
rotini
peaches
apple sauce
sauerkraut
tomatoes x3
large can tomatoes
taco shells
plus the usual flour, sugar, spices, condiments, etc.


I am going to try and get the first 2 weeks worth of menu plan out of this, adding fresh vegetables and salads. I don't expect to use all of it, and I'm not looking to stretch it. I'd love to see what you guys would do with this list.

[BlissMommy]

Good luck, sounds like a very doable challenge!

[KimZ]

Good Luck.... Hey can you post our menus as you go through your pantry? I would LOVE to her your creations!

[Contrary Housewife]

Well Kim, tonight we are having the tuna steaks with a mushroom, brown and wild rice pilaf. I have half a thingy of mushrooms to use up. I have carrots and onion, garlic, etc on hand.

So far I have figured out:

* miso soup, stir fry pork (cut up steak) and summer squash

* tacos using some ground turkey I have left from another recipe

* sirloin salad (basically sliced steak over garden lettuce) I have strip steaks in the freezer, too.

* stuffed pork loin using this Stuffed Pork Loin recipe. Leaving out cherries and jam which I don't have and DH shouldn't be eating anyway.

* pork and ginger stir fry (uses 2nd half of the loin) from this recipe Gingered Pork and Vegetable Stir-Fry - Stir-Fry Recipes - Delish.com

* grilled lemon chicken (I have a lot of bone-in chicken breast) no real recipe, grill chicken, make simple lemon sauce and brown rice Grilled Lemon Chicken

* egg white and canadian bacon pita pockets. Have the bacon and pita in the freezer too.

*turkey pot pie (will use some of the turkey filets for this) Turkey Potpie - Turkey Biscuit Casserole Recipes - RealAge

*middle eastern tuna pockets, uses the chickpeas though I probably will not use the whole can. Middle Eastern Tuna Salad Recipe - RealAge

*hoisin-orange chicken or turkey Turkey Scallopini with Hoisin-Orange Sauce Recipe - RealAge

[nodmicks]

I know you'll do great! I can't wait too see what you do!

[dinah]

chicken, wild rice, mushrooms, and lemon seasoning make a nice one pot meal.

good luck!

[Contrary Housewife]

Thanks Dinah!

I have a 4 week menu plan sketched out, and I'm a little bit embarrassed that I have hoarded that much food.

To the above list I am adding a pasta salad made with the rotini, and a batch of whole wheat pumpkin pecan muffins: Kalyn's Kitchen: Recipe for Low-Sugar and Whole Wheat Pumpkin Muffins with Pecans

[Contrary Housewife]

week 1 June 19-25

seared tuna, brown & wild rice pilaf
ginger pork loin stir fry w/ summer squash, rice
ground turkey tacos, black bean soup
canadian bacon & egg pita, asparagus salad
creamed corn soup w/crab, asian dumplings, broccoli

Grocery shopping: $46. I went over because I spent ~$8 on marked down meat deals. I can't pass stuff that is 60-75% off.

week 2 June 26-Jul2

chicken thigh fajitas, rice, refried beans
steak salad, garden vegs
turkey filet, stuffing, veg
sloppy joe sandwiches, salad
chicken quesadillas, tortilla soup

[alotofgooddeals]

I to have spent way to much on groceries lately...way way way way way to much....so this next month I am only going to spend grocery money on items i can get free or almost free with coupons....I cannot resist....like this week shaws has the nature valley granola things for $2 a box...i have .75/1 which when doubled goes to 1.50...a box for .50 i cannot resist...bar s hot dogs for .88 a pack and with coupons $1/2 packages...i am paying .76 for two pounds of hot dogs...we use them and pickle them....so we shall see what happens and i love reading post so i can get some ideas....

[Palooka]

You've came up with some good menus, CH!

[Maine Girl]

This morning i made a veggie soup with what i had on hand

1 box of chicken stock
1 can of fire roasted tomatoes
Celery Flakes
Parsley Flakes
Sea salt
black pepper
1 onion diced
a bunch of baby carrots diced
two red potatoes diced
1 can of cut green beans

Hope this helps

[Contrary Housewife]

Well, this week has been good so far. We stuck to the menu, and my grocery bills today (for the weekend and next week) came to $38.68. I *think* I got everything we need.

Week 3 menu plan:


turkey wraps, salad
beef fajita tacos
miso soup, lettuce cups, steamed dumplings
cube steak, cauliflower

It's a short week as it is a long holiday weekend (and we are staying with friends) and we have one night out with other friends planned.

[Contrary Housewife]

Busted the budget this week. Had to get milk early in the week, and then a couple sale items we really didn't need caught my eye and the final damage is $56.82.

The challenge list has changed slightly, since we used up stuff.

Meat on my short list:
salmon steaks
pork loin (serves 2)
chicken wings
italian turkey sausage
turkey tender filets (serves 2)
pork steaks
tuna steaks
chicken leg quarters
pork chop (1)
stir fry beef

pantry list:

falafel mix
cornbread mix x2
stuffing
coconut flakes
instant choc. pudding
barley
white rice
brown rice
wild rice
broccoli rice
garlic butter rice
yellow rice
dirty rice mix
chicken broth x2
refried beans
cream corn
crushed pineapple
peaches
apple sauce
sauerkraut
tomatoes x3
large can tomatoes
plus the usual flour, sugar, spices, condiments, etc.

This week's menu changed to:

ham, caesar salad, pierogies
chicken salad pita, garden salad
miso soup, lettuce cups, steamed dumplings
cube steak, cauliflower, spinach

Next week July 10-16 is looking like this:

lemon chicken, rice, carrots
falafel, cucumber salad
turkey pot pie
beef fajita, salad
stuffed pork loin, brussels sprouts
teriyaki salmon, veg

42 days to go!

[mom2three]

I realize that I've been hoarding food as well. Hope you don't mind me joining in your challenge.

[Contrary Housewife]

Glad to have the company.

I lost it this weekend and walked into Nature's Pantry and spent ~$15 on more stuff we didn't need. Sigh.