Space is Limited Menu Planning
My first 6 dozen cookies are made, taking up two of my storage containers. For now, since it is below freezing, I'm using the far end of my porch for a freezer. If anyone is hungry enough to steal the cookies, so be it. I'll take my chances. I need it to stay cold though! Last night we ate various leftovers form the refrigerator. I need to make careful use for both budget and space purposes. Those Gladware containers take up space. I have breads to make for gifting coworkers but I'll still do up a treat tray like last year as it was very popular. This means more cookies more truffles, more snacks. Space in my freezer, even with using the porch, refrigerator, and pantry are precious. I won't be bulk shopping. We have concerts Tuesday and Saturday, plus I have a dinner with a friend Thursday, so meals need to be easy, with the intent to have leftovers (LO). Here's my plan:
- Papa Murphys;s for lunch-pick up on our way home from church, and chicken wild rice soup for supper (LO)
- Tuna Noodle hot dish, make today for DD2 to throw in the oven tomorrow
- Tuesday-Leftovers
- Wednesday-BBQ pork in crock pot, ready to shred for sandwiches, oven french fries
- Thursday-DH to pick up chicken dinner for the two of them using one of our coupons
- Friday-Fried rice and chicken stir fry
- Saturday-(LO) + Big pot of chili mostly to eat Sunday, DD2 has two concerts plus a holiday party and we're meeting friends after the concert
I'll liberally thorw egetables in ot the mix. No frills, but meals my family enjoys. This alos means minimal groceries need to be bought. Lots of chicken-again, but it is easy to prepare and versatile in recipe's. I'll just buy boneless ribs for the pork and some ground beef.
What's on your menu this week? IS anyone else trying to manage space constraints?
Ever since we bought our stand up freezer I have lots of freezer room, feel so fortunate (used, reconditioned). Today and tomorrow are cookie making days for me. Need to make enough to take 6 small containers to Alberta on Saturday for the kids/nephew/Baba. Hopefully there will be enough for us too but if not I will make more when we get back. Sounds like a busy but fun week for you
ReplyDeleteSince I never had one, even with a house full, I've mostly gotten used to not having one. I know I could do better, but we don't have anywhere to store as our basement won't work, and our garage is not insulated.
DeleteDo you have a recipe for your red velvet cookies please?
ReplyDeleteArilx
Hah, this will be embarrassing, but it is my life. My recipe is:
Delete1 box Red Velvet Cake mix
6 TBLS melted butter
2 eggs
tsp of lemon zest (i used lemon juice as what I had)
Mix all together, put in fridge to stiffen up for rolling in balls. roll balls, then coat in powdered sugar mixture which is 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1/2 tsp corn starch.
Bake for 11 minutes at 350 degrees F oven (177 C or Gas mark 4 I looked up)on a greased pan.
They have a cross between a cake and cookie texture-very simple and delicious. I think a lemon cake would make really tasty cookies as well. I got 3 dozen smallish cookies out of the box.
I haven't started my bread baking (I make cardamom bread), but plan to next weekend. For this upcoming week, I'll be at a team dinner one night, and haven't cooked at all yet this weekend. Yikes. Not my normal plan. I need to sort something out quickly! :-)
ReplyDeleteI had intentions of baking bread, but didn't quite get there. It will get done-always does. I need to find a gluten free recipe as several colleagues are gluten intolerant. I might chat and just buy a mix at the store. I'm for ease and short cuts this year.
DeleteWhen I get packages mailed, then I can think about cooking. But, I am not shopping for food!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you have done well getting some bargains and nice meals. good luck with your packages.
DeleteI don't do much cooking for Christmas, but we are pretty busy during December so I like to get ahead with the cooking. We downsized our fridge and got rid of the freezer earlier this year so, for the first time, I am finding myself having to juggle a little bit, managing so far though.
ReplyDeleteThis week we've wandered off plan, but it has meant that I could use up a couple of things from the icebox in the fridge so I've made a shepherdess pie (lentils topped with mashed potatoes) using some frozen vegetables, and we'll be eating a stew and curry I froze last week. Easy cooking for a busy week.
I sent a picture of the burger menu to my daughter-she'll probably try and recreate. It feels good to use up goods-I was way off in m y planning.
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