What preps are you doing this week? part 2.

[Grunterthesecond]

Just made a large log store, then filled it with oak/ash mixture (won't be used until Winter 2016) and some hardwood briquettes which I have never used before, so will see what they are like. Also took delivery of this winter's coal.All moved by hand from the front of the house to the furthest reaches of the back garden. THEN I decide it's a good idea to get a wheelbarrow

[Decaff]

To my shame I found a tin of chick peas at the back of a non food cupboard with a best before date of March 2012, so I opened it and all was well, we now have a big pot of hummus in the fridge, lovely spread onto wraps with grated carrot on the top and rolled up to make easy eating!

[Decaff]

I have been meal planning today as we had a shopping delivery yesterday. Anyone else do this? It really does save money as you use up all the bits n pieces in the freezer and cupboards that wouldn't make a meal on their own but cobbled together make a feast of deliciousness.

I have a running list of everything in the freezer and cupboards and plan from there so this morning I have planned out meals right up to the middle of July. Saves waste and the "what do you fancy to eat" debates that drive me bonkers. It also means that fresh produce is used up before it starts to wilt and loose its goodness.

Today is a roast chicken to celebrate Mr D's first Sunday hone , tomorrow is chicken salad and any leftovers are sandwich fillings, I will make a batch of stock from the remains for later in the month or dehydrate and add to my stash.

I've saved a fair chunk of money by planning like this as nothing gets wasted.

[DustyDog]

Decaff, would love to be able to plan meals like that, but just bloody well cant, i never know what i want to eat and being a chef, working split shifts, i have my meals at odd times so never know when ill be hungry. luckily though i hate waste, especially food (i was taught from a young age; there are people in the world starving) so i waste very little food.

Great use of the chicken by the way, making stock for chicken from the carcass makes great soup and means minimum waste.

[Arzosah]

Meal planning - I eat quite basically, I suppose, and I don't make "dishes" - I throw things together that are cooked, and thats it

Haven't done anything at all today - watching the news out of Greece and Tunisia, washing my hair, thats it - shopping trip to the coast absolutely wiped me out

[Decaff]

Decaff, would love to be able to plan meals like that, but just bloody well cant, i never know what i want to eat and being a chef, working split shifts, i have my meals at odd times so never know when ill be hungry. luckily though i hate waste, especially food (i was taught from a young age; there are people in the world starving) so i waste very little food.

Great use of the chicken by the way, making stock for chicken from the carcass makes great soup and means minimum waste.

I know what you mean but I found that knowing in advance what we are having makes me fancy it, hope that makes sense!

A slow cooker would be great for you! Chuck it all in and its ready when you get home, whatever time that would be. I did meatballs in Italian sauce in mine on Saturday, chilli is great slow cooked and many many dishes can be done like that, its far too hot to have the oven on this time of year.

The stock is all bagged up and in the freezer, I picked out all the remaining bits from tge stock that came off the bones and mogsplosh has been enjoying a dish or two of yummy chicken. I'm not sure what I will do with the fat from the top yet, its sitting in the fridge at the moment.

[Brambles]

I'm not sure what I will do with the fat from the top yet, its sitting in the fridge at the moment.

Dumplings.

[Decaff]

Meal planning - I eat quite basically, I suppose, and I don't make "dishes" - I throw things together that are cooked, and thats it

Haven't done anything at all today - watching the news out of Greece and Tunisia, washing my hair, thats it - shopping trip to the coast absolutely wiped me out

I started planning as I got fed up with deciding "what's for dinner" and having odd bits in the freezer, we have a small lamb shank and 4 lamb chops which are not enough on their own for a dinner for 3 adults (one a hollow legged, always hungry, walking stomach) but combined will be great, will put these in the slow cooker and the shank is in a minted gravy which will flavour the chops and be the gravy for the finished meal. I have two pork gammon steaks which will be chopped up and stir fried, some chunks of chicken breast and 3 thighs which will be a slow cooked curry. I don't need to buy any food this month other than fresh milk, been making my own bread for a while now too, saves money!!

Dreading the heat tomorrow it really does zap the energy doesn't it.

[Decaff]

I'm not sure what I will do with the fat from the top yet, its sitting in the fridge at the moment.

Dumplings.

Fantastic idea!! Thank you hmm lamb shank /chops with dumplings!! sorted!

[DustyDog]

Aye Decaff, I hate the heat too (kinda doesn't make sense working in a kitchen) but I prefer the cool. I do see what u mean bout meal planning and I do take things of the freezer a day or to before, Mrs DustyDog is a vegan so I tend to just cook for myself (shift pattern doesn't help either) so meals, although I also I'm a walking stomach tend to be just one person affairs.

Love making my own bread, I try and use flour from a local-ish watermill, it's a bit more costly but I think it makes tastier bread, and you know what's in it, no nasty E numbers etc.

Trying to run freezer down at mo, then will defrost and restock in autumn, ready for winter (winter??? Not had summer yet!!)

Looking at large kilner type jars for flour and pulse storage, almost got all my tinned preps sorted, Starting on dry stores now. Oh well bedtime.