Would like to stretch my pantry for 6 weeks (or more)

[YankeeMom]

with only buying perishables...
With dh out of work and not knowing how long, I'd like to stretch my stockpile until it screams We aren't completely without cashflow, as he has his retirement from the Army (which covers the mortgage, van, & health insurance) and I get a small stipend which usually pays for groceries & a few small bills. I'd like to be able to use the grocery money to pay a few bills while dh is looking for work.

Anyone care to help me with this task? I've inventoried my pantry, my downstairs "mini pantry", my deep freezer, my two refrigerator/freezers and I have organized it into categories.

I have:
Veggies (frozen, canned, fresh)
Fruit (frozen, canned, fresh)
Pasta/Rice/Potatoes/Sides (frozen, boxed)
Sauces/Gravy/Soup (frozen, canned, dried)
Meat/Fish/Poultry (fresh, frozen, deli, canned)
Bread/Crackers/Baking
Snacks(healthy)/Treats(not so healthy lol)/desserts
Condiments/Misc.
Breakfast Foods
Drinks
Dairy
Misc. Frozen Meals (from bits of leftovers I froze rather than throw away)

I just need some creative help in organizing it into 6 weeks worth of breakfasts, lunches, dinners, & snacks. I know I have enough, it's just a matter of logistics lol.

[SHOPGIRL]

Heather,

We're in a similar situation. My dh received his last paycheck last week. I work full-time so if I budget right, we should be able to pay all our bills.

I stockpiled a lot in the fall so I plan on eating from my freezer and pantry. I want to spend as little as possible on groceries.

I'll be anxious to see what suggestions people have.

[YankeeMom]

LONG post coming...

Veggies
(1) can whole green chiles, 4oz
(1) can chopped grean chiles, 4oz
(2) cans diced tomatoes, 15oz each
3lbs fresh yellow onions
5lbs fresh red/white potatoes
7lbs carrots
1/4C red pepper strips, frozen
1C green pepper strips, frozen
1/4C orange pepper strips, frozen
1/4C red pepper, diced, frozen
(2) 1lb bags broccoli, frozen
(2) 1lb bags summer squash, frozen
(9) 1lb bags waxed beans, frozen
(2) 1lb bags peas & carrots, frozen
(3) 1lb bags mixed vegetables, frozen
(1) 1lb bag cauliflower, frozen
(1) can corn, 14.5oz
(12) cans cream corn, 14.5oz each
1C sliced mushrooms, frozen
30C pumpkin puree, frozen
4C green beans, frozen (for soup)
1/2 head fresh iceburg lettuce
1 whole tomato
(3) cans sliced mushrooms, 4oz
(1) can sliced mushrooms, 8oz
(1) can Rotel tomatoes, 10oz

Fruits
(14) applesauce cups (individual servings)
(1) jar applesauce, 48oz
1lb raisins
(1) can peaches, 29oz
(1) can fruit cocktial, 14.5oz
(1) jar baked apples, 14.5oz
(1) jar red spiced apple rings, 14.5oz
(1) can pineapple chunks, 20oz
(1) can apple pie filling, 20oz
9 apples, fresh, but wrinkled, for cooking only
3 apples, fresh, suitable for eating fresh
12 clementines
2C sugared strawberries, frozen
6C strawberry preserves, frozen
2C cantaloupe chunks, frozen
2C sliced strawberries, frozen
5 pints whole strawberries, frozen
1 pint peaches, frozen
1/2 pint raspberries, frozen
4 pints blueberries, frozen
1 pint blackberries, frozen
1 pint black cherries, frozen
(2) bags Craisins, 6oz each
(12) bananas, frozen

Pasta/Rice/Potatoes/Sides
7lbs white rice
2lbs macaroni
1lb spaghetti
(3) boxes macaroni & cheese, 7.25oz each
1.75lbs brown rice
(1) pkg somen noodles, 12oz
(1) bag spinach & ricotta tortellini, 8oz
1lb penne
3C Instant potato flakes
(2) bags egg noogles, 16oz each
(3) boxes Stove Top stuffing, 6oz each
5oz pkg saffron rice
2lbs hash browns o'brien, frozen
2lb tatertots
(2) bags cheese ravioli, frozen, 20oz each
(1) bag beef ravioli, frozen, 18oz
4C mashed potatoes, frozen
(1) box Easy Fries, frozen, 4.75oz

Sauces/Gravy/Soups
(1) single serving tomato soup
(1) single serving clam chowder
(1) can split pea soup, ready to serve, 19oz
(5) cans cream of chicken soup, condensed, 10.75oz
(1) can hot dog chili, 11oz
(8) cans green enchilada sauce, 10oz each
(1) can chicken broth, 15oz?
(2) cans cheddar soup, 10.75oz
(3) cans chicken noodle soup, condensed, 10.75oz
8oz turkey gravy mix (makes abt 1/2 gallon)
3C chicken gravy/broth, frozen
(1) can spaghetti sauce, 26oz
(1) envelope Knorr veggie dip mix
(1) evenlope shake & bake
(2) envelopes dry ranch mix
(2) envelopes taco seasoning mix
(4) envelopes beef bouillion
(6) envelopes chicken bouillion
(2) envelopes ramen seasoning
(1) envelope dry Italian dressing mix
(3) envelopes cheese powder
(1) Bertolli pasta sauce sample, 2oz?
(1) Ketchup, 20oz
(3) cans tomato paste, 6oz each
8C spaghetti sauce, frozen

Meat/Fish/Poultry
12oz pepperoni slices
(2) cans crabmeat, 6oz each
(4) cans pink salmon, 14.75oz each
(6) cans tuna, 6oz each
1.5lbs sliced deli ham, frozen
(1) box sausage links, 10ct
1lb kielbasa sausage, frozen
2.5lb bone in chicken thighs, frozen
3.4lb boneless chicken breast, frozen
(4) boneless chicken thighs, frozen
1.5lb hamburger, frozen
1.3lb london broil, frozen
1.5C sausage crumbles/onion/pepper mix, frozen
2C hamburger/onion mix, frozen
1lb ground turkey, frozen
8oz deli sliced roast beef, frozen
8oz deli sliced turkey, frozen
8oz jar real bacon bits
23lb turkey
1C chopped ham, frozen

Bread/Crackers/Baking
1/2 box Jiffy baking mix
(6) small boxes Jiffy corn muffin mix
(2) boxes brownie mix
(1) box cherry cobbler mix
(1) box Hot Roll mix
18oz chocolate chips
8oz semisweet chocolate
8oz unsweetened chocolate
(2) cans sweetened condensed milk, 14oz each
(2) cans evaporated milk, 12oz each
2lbs white candy coating
1.5lb yeast
4lb cornmeal
10lb flour
4lbs brown sugar
6lbs white sugar
(1) box Jiffy pie crust mix
(3) box bread crumbs, 15oz each
1/2 box croutons
1/2 box oyster crackers
(1) sleeve saltines
(1) sleeve graham crackers
(4) whole wheat english muffins, frozen
(1) supersize english muffin, frozen
(2) cranberry english muffins, frozen
(4) Kaiser rolls, frozen
(2) Brotchen rolls, frozen
(2) bagels, frozen
(2) loaves bread, 24oz each, frozen
(12) homemade dinner rolls, frozen
(2) dozen homemade muffins, frozen
(7) slices raisin bread, frozen
(2) loaves apple bread, frozen
(1) large pretzel, frozen
(6) hamburger buns, frozen
(5) hot dog buns, frozen

Breakfast foods
(12) envelopes instant cream of wheat
(1) box Grape Nuts cereal
(2) envelopes instant oatmeal
(7) box oatmeal, 18oz each
1.5lbs grits
42oz cereal
(2) homemade waffles, frozen
82 eggs

Dairy
1lb Velveeta light
(1) sour cream, 16oz
1lb cheddar, brick
1/2 gallon egg nog
(4) cream cheese, 8oz
(7) yogurt cups, 4oz each
12oz shredded mozzarella cheese
2lb sliced american cheese
5 sticks margarine
3 sticks unsalted butter
2lb tub margarine spread
10oz sliced swiss cheese
32oz parmesan cheese
ICBINB spray

Drinks
Coffee
tea bags
48btls water
12btls flavored water
hot chocolate
cappuccino mix
half & half, 16oz
powdered coffee creamer, 16oz
(1) apple juice concentrate, 12oz
(1) btl apple juice, 64oz
(3) btls apple juice, 16oz each
5 envelopes Koolaid
5 Crystal light

Snacks/Treats/Desserts
LOTS xmas cookies
(3) betty crocker warm delights
3lb can peanuts
(1) box mint cookies
(1) box fudge oreos
(1) black cherry jello
(1) raspberry Jello
(1) chocolate pudding mix
(1) chocolate mint pudding mix
(1) vanilla pudding mix
3oz pecans
(1) dutch apple pie
(1) pecan pie
(1) cherry pie
(1) blueberry pie
(1) pumpkin pie
32oz popcorn kernals
15oz mini marshmallows
4oz shredded coconut
(3) large bags cocoa flavored chex mix
(2) bags potato chips
(4) Ritz cheese cracker sandwiches, 8ct each
(3) cool whip tubs, 8oz each
1 pint chocolate peanut butter ice cream
2 pints ben & jerry's ice cream
(15) bags micro popcorn, snack sized
(8) pudding cups
(1) box granola bars, 12ct
(1) box cereal bars, 8ct

Condiments/Misc.
(2) btls canola oil, 48oz each
(3) btls various salad dressing
32oz btl pancake syrup
(1) box tapioca
(1) box oat bran
nutella
creamy peanut butter
(2) crunchy peanut butter
honey
worcestershire sauce
soy sauce
molasses
olive oil
corn syrup
white & red wine vinegar
marsala wine
16oz dry milk powder
1lb cornstarch
2lb shortening
3oz sesame oil
hot sauce
baking soda
baking powder
salt
pepper
season salt
oregano
dried onion flakes
garlic powder
red pepper flakes
cinnamon
orange rind
cumin
ginger
cayenne
paprika
basil
bay leaves
MUCHO spices!
orange marmalade
grape jam
strawberry preserves
ketchup/mustard
mayo
salsa
bbq sauce
lemon juice
pickles
grean olives
cocktail sauce
tartar sauce
minced garlic
horseradish

Misc Meals, frozen
1 qt beef stroganoff
1 beef & bean burrito
1 box pizza rolls, 15ct
6 spinach lasagna rollups
2 C baked ziti
4 cooked hamburger patties

[AmyBoz]

Heather, I'm not very good with recipes and creating things like that, but I will say that I definitely think that you have enough on hand to make it through with only having to buy milk and perishables. This is a good lesson for all of us on how helpful it can be to have a stocked pantry in case of emergency, which I would definitely say this classifies as!

[ironmaiden]

Wow!! This is the master's challenge. The hard part isn't just coming up with "what to eat", but to do so using up all the ingredients as well as knowing how much food do you need for 6 people.

Generically anything over rice or noodles stretches the meal. We always have rice under chili and anything else that the quantity didn't end up quite as much as I thought Or anything that didn't get enough meat in it's ratio of other stuff.

Maybe try taking each category - breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner.
And figuring out what to make and what gets used up along the way. You are so right, planning is what is going to make all the difference.

If just you and DH home for lunch, you get to eat all the miscellaneous servings (the one beef burrito) and leftovers!

Don't forget about making soups with sides of bread/rolls.

Cook ahead a bit - there's no room for takeout. And when you do cookahead, freeze some things in small portions - it takes a long time to defrost an entire casserole - i.e. it doesn't help when takeout was the other option. But if you freeze things in individual serving sizes, it'll take only a minute or two to thaw each in a microwave.

My husband makes pizza crusts - and cooks them ahead of time (I quadruple anything that's a baking recipe anyway), so we pull out a pizza crust, leave it on the counter for 10 minutes, throw cheese and sauce (we're not italian therefore spaghetti sauce or whatever works for us) and it's done quick.

But you are right, planning is your key.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Like I said this is the masters class and we'll all learn a great deal.

I'll keep looking at the list - I printed it and I'm spending sunday night in front of the fireplace looking at it with a pencil in hand.

[MOMMYDEAREST]

wow.....& i thought i had a good stockpile........lol!! good for you

[ironmaiden]

Breakfast foods
cream of wheat with maple syrup
Grape Nuts cereal
instant oatmeal
oatmeal – with PEANUT BUTTER!!!
grits with eggs
42oz cereal
homemade waffles with 6C strawberry preserves, frozen
Pancakes - 4 pints blueberries, frozen
Scrambled eggs
Sunnyside up eggs over bread
Scones with (2) bags Craisins, 6oz each
Muffins
Quickbreads - bananas, frozen; pumpkin;
French Toast
Toast
cream cheese, 8oz
yogurt cups, 4oz each
orange marmalade
grape jam
strawberry preserves


Lunch
(2) cans crabmeat, 6oz each
1.5lbs sliced deli ham, frozen
8oz deli sliced roast beef, frozen
8oz deli sliced turkey, frozen
(2) loaves bread, 24oz each, frozen
1 beef & bean burrito
6 spinach lasagna rollups
2 C baked ziti
4 cooked hamburger patties
single serving tomato soup
(1) single serving clam chowder
(1) can split pea soup, ready to serve, 19oz
(1) can hot dog chili, 11oz
(3) cans chicken noodle soup, condensed, 10.75oz
grilled cheese sandwiches
omlettes
egg salad sandwich
leftovers
(2) bags potato chips


Snacks/Treats/Desserts
1 box pizza rolls, 15ct
LOTS xmas cookies
(3) betty crocker warm delights
3lb can peanuts
(1) box mint cookies
(1) box fudge oreos
(1) black cherry jello
(1) raspberry Jello
(1) chocolate pudding mix
(1) chocolate mint pudding mix
(1) vanilla pudding mix
(1) dutch apple pie
(1) pecan pie
(1) cherry pie
(1) blueberry pie
(1) pumpkin pie
32oz popcorn kernals
(3) large bags cocoa flavored chex mix
(4) Ritz cheese cracker sandwiches, 8ct each
(3) cool whip tubs, 8oz each
1 pint chocolate peanut butter ice cream
2 pints ben & jerry's ice cream
(15) bags micro popcorn, snack sized
(8) pudding cups
(1) box granola bars, 12ct
(1) box cereal bars, 8ct
(2) boxes brownie mix
(1) box cherry cobbler mix
18oz chocolate chips
8oz semisweet chocolate
8oz unsweetened chocolate
(2) cans sweetened condensed milk, 14oz each
(2) cans evaporated milk, 12oz each
2lbs white candy coating






Dinner
1 qt beef stroganoff over egg noodles
2lbs macaroni
1lb spaghetti
(3) boxes macaroni & cheese, 7.25oz each
1.75lbs brown rice
(1) pkg somen noodles, 12oz
(1) bag spinach & ricotta tortellini, 8oz
1lb penne
(1) bags egg noogles, 16oz each
pizza – homemade with 12oz pepperoni slices
quiche - (1) sleeve graham crackers for crust and 8oz jar real bacon bits
salmon patties - (4) cans pink salmon
2 tuna noodle casserole (6) cans tuna, 6oz each and macaroni
(1) box sausage links, 10ct
1lb kielbasa sausage, frozen with dirty rice
bbq chicken - 2.5lb bone in chicken thighs, frozen
chicken parm - 3.4lb boneless chicken breast, frozen
stir fry (4) boneless chicken thighs, frozen and pineapple and assorted veggies
1.5lb hamburger, frozen – shepherds pie and meatballs
1.3lb london broil, frozen – open faced sandwiches
egg/bread/sausage casserole - sausage crumbles/onion/pepper mix, frozen american chop suey - 2C hamburger/onion mix, frozen and macaroni and tomato sauce
1lb ground turkey, frozen
23lb turkey – turkey dinner, turkey pot pie, turkey and dumplings
crustless quiche - 1C chopped ham, frozen
(2) bags cheese ravioli, frozen, 20oz each
(1) bag beef ravioli, frozen, 18oz
calzone – basically any type of “hot pocket”

[ironmaiden]

What I'm not sure of is how to figure out how many days does this feed a family??

The other thing that needs to be realized is how to use meat. If you make hamburgers, that goes through lots of hamburg for one meal. If instead you make meatloaf - it's stretched through adding breadcrumbs. If you made american chop suey - then you need far less meat as the volume is taken up by macaroni.
It's basically use your less expensive items to round out the more expensive ones.

A 2 cans of tuna can be sandwiches or it could be an entire tuna noodle casserole.

[YankeeMom]

Thank you! I'm taking these ideas and applying them to what I've got. Breakfasts are easy, it's always cereal, oatmeal, pancakes/waffles, eggs, or homemade muffins. Lunches are also easy, the kids get school lunch (I've already applied for free/reduced lunches..as soon as I found out dh was out of work) and youngest ds, dh & I eat leftovers or sandwiches.

I have 19 dinner so far. I have a list, just like I posted above, of my pantry inventory. Then I have another list of dinners. Next to each meal, I write down the ingredients it will take to make it. Then I go back to my inventory list and make a checkmark if it uses some of the item or cross it off completely if it uses all of the item. That way I know what I've used and what I have left.

When I get my list done (45 dinners) I'll post it and how it worked out. Dh will never laugh at my pantry stockpile again

[canadian gardener]

You GO girl!!!! This is what a pantry challenge is all about. Taking hard times and turning lemons into lemon aide and you are doing just that.

My inner hippie chick says ROCK ON!!!!!!

[Valerie in WA]

Originally posted by YankeeMom
I have 19 dinner so far. I have a list, just like I posted above, of my pantry inventory. Then I have another list of dinners. Next to each meal, I write down the ingredients it will take to make it. Then I go back to my inventory list and make a checkmark if it uses some of the item or cross it off completely if it uses all of the item. That way I know what I've used and what I have left.

When I get my list done (45 dinners) I'll post it and how it worked out. Dh will never laugh at my pantry stockpile again

I've done something similar at times. Once I have the list of 42 dinners (7 days per week times 6 weeks), I sit down with a blank calendar sheet. On it, I note any evening activities that might impact dinner (such as needing something quick), and any daytime activities that might have an impact (such as gone all day, need a crockpot meal).

Then I look at my list. If I have 12 mexican meals, I space them out about every 3 or 4 days. If I have 6 chicken meals, they're about once a week. And the 8 italian meals will occur about every 8 days. The vegetarian stuff that dh doesn't likes very much will get sandwiched between two meals that are his favorites, and so on.

I would suggest thawing & roasting that turkey now, so that you can spread out it's leftovers over the 6 weeks & no one will get sick of it. I would think I could feed your family at least one meal a week, with diligent use.

When serving a small meal or one that's not well-liked, I might serve a dessert. I see you have lots of pumpkin. You could make cookies, pie, and/or quickbread. I have a delish recipe for pumpkin bread. LMK if you need one. You also have a lot of frozen berries that would make nice desserts. OTOH, they might add variety to your breakfasts.

Do you know how to use your milk powder & cornstarch to make a basic white sauce for a casserole? Much cheaper than a can of "cream of..." soup!

I think you are well up to the challenge! Good for you.

[YankeeMom]

I do have recipes for "cream of" soup, but I don't have much powdered milk. That was on my list to stockpile on for Jan/Feb

Good idea about the turkey. If I take it out now (in the fridge) it will be thawed by the weekend. Then I'll have the whole weekend to cook the carcass & divvy up the meals. I did plan for 5 meals with the turkey, although I suspect I could get 6 or 7 meals.


I didn't think about spacing it out by actually writing it on the calendar. I don't normally do that, because "what if we don't feel like it", but I don't think that's a luxury we have for now

And this definitely opened my eyes as to how much junk food/treat stuff I have in the house. I didn't even list the bags of pfefferneuse or christmas candy!!

I'm almost done with my list then I can post it

[YankeeMom]

I DID IT!!

Here are the meals I created w/ the above pantry stockpile.
I still have quite a bit of food...mostly unmatchable items, but will be good for lunches or whatever...

Roast turkey, mashed potatoes, waxed beans
Turkey, rice, veggies soup, homemade yeast rolls
Turkey & gravy over potatoes or rice, summer squash
Ravioli & tomato sauce, homemade bread/rolls
Chicken divan over rice
Keilbasa & cheesey potatoes, peas & carrots
Keilbasa & somen noodles w/ veggies, soy sauce & sesame oil (kind of a stir fry)
Ranch Turkey pasta
Creamy italian chicken, egg noodles, waxed beans
Creamy ham casserole over rice
Salmon patties, rice, mixed veggies
(2 meals)Scrambled eggs w/ potatoes & sausage
(2 meals)Baked spaghetti
Homemade ham & cheese hot pockets, chicken noodle soup
Turkey enchiladas, rice
Chicken broccoli stuffing casserole
Beef stir fry over rice
Chicken pot pie
Taco macaroni
Macaroni & cheese, chili dogs, waxed beans
(2 meals)French toast, apple sauce or strawberries
(3 meals)Leftovers/Clean out the fridge night
Pinwheels, tatertots, summer squash
Shepherd's pie
Turkey/Roast beef sandwiches & leftover veggies made into soup
Grilled ham & cheese sandwiches, tomato soup
(2 meals)Homemade pepperoni & mushroom pizzas
Homemade pizza pockets
Chicken & gravy over rice or potatoes, stuffing, waxed beans
Turkey sloppy joes, homemade french fries, carrot sticks
Tuna noodle casserole
Homemade macaroni & cheese, waxed beans
(2 meals)Pancakes & fruit
Goulash aka American Chop Suey, homemade rolls


And I only have a very small list of things to buy:
hot dogs
more buns
flour
1 can beans
tomato sauce
tomato soup

[SHOPGIRL]

Wow! That's a lot of meals. Plus, they are so different. My meals seem so blah compared to yours!

[Valerie in WA]

Originally posted by YankeeMom
I didn't think about spacing it out by actually writing it on the calendar. I don't normally do that, because "what if we don't feel like it", but I don't think that's a luxury we have for now

You might want to, so you don't end up with a bunch of 'undesirable' meals at the end of your time period.

Besides, if you get to week 2, day 3 and really are hankering for the meal scheduled on week 3, day 1, you can always trade.