Gathered Fragments:
Lasagna (one serving)
Ham, perhaps 1 pound
1 c English Peas
1 c. Pumpkin
1 c. Yams
1 Greek Seasoned Chicken Breast half
I'm going to jump right in this week planning only our main meal. This week will see the bulk of foods used except the black beans (there's LOTS). I'm kind of glad to see the end of this expired foods use! Mind you it's not all the expired foods, but I'll have used enough that I think I can easily manage to get the rest used (except black beans). We'll see. I may surprise myself and have to plan another week!
Dinners:
Lasagna, Green Beans, Garlic Toast. Leftover lasagna finished off for this meal. I added simple sides as I really wanted to keep this meal easy for a Saturday.
Ham and Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes, Green Peas, Fruit Salad, Sweet Potato Biscuits. The scalloped potatoes are expired, and I've got a packet of cheese left from a box of mac n cheese that I didn't use. I thought I'd add one of these in to the potatoes. I think it will be a good pairing with some of the leftover Ham. I have half a can of sweet potatoes (Yams) left from last week. These will make great biscuits. Leftover peas, likely not quite enough for a meal, will be extended with mushrooms. I thought I'd use a portion of the expired can of mandarin oranges in a mixed fruit salad. I was told, ages ago, by a syndicated newspaper cook to always use a mix of fresh and canned fruit in any fruit salad. I'll add in a few of the sticky marshmallows that are in the snack cabinet.
Chicken Tacos, Black Beans, Mexican Rice. I'll make a sort of al Pastor seasoned chicken to go into some leftover taco shells that need to be used. I plan to use the chicken breast and a can of green chilies and probably a bit of orange juice, chili powder. I'll play with this and get it seasoned. Black beans can be seasoned or 'refried' and the Mexican Rice will use one can of the Red Enchilada sauce that is also on the expired shelf.
Tomato Soup, Tuna Pasta Salad, Gelatin. I have one can of tomato soup that expired last month. I'm going to use some of the expired powdered milk made double strength to make the soup. The tuna salad will use 1/2 of an expired box of pasta shells. Cherry Flavored gelatin for a light finish (Also expired).
Sweet and Sour Pork Chops, Rice, Asian Style Cabbage Salad with bean sprouts, Ambrosia. I've a couple of pork chops that are singles, one boneless, one bone in. While looking at other blogs, I stumbled upon an Asian Style Cabbage Salad with bean sprouts that looked good. The author did not share the recipe on her blog, but in doing a search I found a basic recipe that actually looks really good and has items I have on hand. This will use one can of bean sprouts. I may slice and add in some water chestnuts too. If there are any of the water chestnuts leftover, I'll pop them in the freezer. One day soon I'll be using those to make a favorite Chicken and Wild Rice casserole. I'll use the rest of the can of mandarin oranges, some pineapple, coconut and cherries to make Ambrosia.
Stuffed Peppers, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans. Stuffed Peppers are from the freezer, a leftover I put away in May.
I know that's only six meals. I ran out of inspiration. I'm sure we'll have leftovers a plenty.
Oher:
I think I'll still have some leftover ham, and if I do I'd like to make a Ham Pot Pie to put in the freezer. This is something Mama used to make that I always thought was very good. I could use that last can of carrots in the filling. I could top the pot pie with some of the sweet potato biscuit dough.
The pancakes I was going to make last week with the pumpkin didn't get made. I thought I'd make Pumpkin Waffles with it this week. Those keep well in the freezer.
I do not want half a box of pasta hanging around so I may make up a batch of Pizza Mac. I have some cottage cheese and plenty of pepperoni. I may add some ground beef to the mixture though the original recipe does not call for it. I'll check what the protein counts on the dish would be without the beef. I'll have to be careful to just cook the pasta al dente.
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4 comments:
I took inspiration from you this weekend again while menu planning and really put my thinking cap on. My only store items were a few essentials for my upcoming "soft food diet" to have on hand like dried beans to cook, oatmeal, pudding, jello, pasta. Everything else is coming from food we already had/have in the fridge, freezer and pantry. Tonight we are having Tuna Steaks with orange chicken sauce and asian ramen salad. The other menu items are Baked Chicken Drumsticks with Green Beans/Fried Okra and Sweet Potatoes (frozen); Spinach Stuffed Chicken (frozen packaged) with Veggies; Meatballs with gravy, peas and mashed potatoes; I plan to make a pizza for Brad for Thursday or Friday night. I'm planning to make a crockpot full of pinto beans and ham hocks and a Broccoli cheese rice casserole with canned chicken for my dinners and lunches to last a few meals. I've also got some simple mac & cheese that has extra protein in it to use. Another meal I'm planning for myself is Kale & Cauliflower Au Gratin with Fish. I'll make other veggies for Brad to eat with the same fish. I'm trying to load up on salads before Thursday because I know I'll miss the fresh/raw veggies when I can't eat them.
On Sunday we had Silas's birthday meal for lunch - fettucine alfredo with grilled chicken and shrimp, a loaf of garlic bread from the freezer, and his favorite bagged Caesar salad. I baked a cake mix and used some canned frosting already in the pantry.
Last night (Monday) we had my niece and nephews over for supper, and made beef and chicken fajitas. There were several packages of sirloin steak in the freezer, so I thawed them all, but only cooked a few, so we'll have beef tips in gravy later this week with the uncooked packages. Leftovers from the fajitas were packaged into meal-size portions and tossed (literally, lol) into the freezer. Homemade refried beans also netted a quart bag of leftovers for the freezer. One fajita packet was pulled out and reheated a couple of hours later when my BIL arrived to stay the night on his way home from Texas. He hadn't stopped to eat along the way, and I was glad to have something quick to heat up for him and the guests he brought along.
Tonight will be salmon patties and I think coleslaw. Greg requested the patties made from canned salmon when we were talking about nostalgic foods recently.
Jessica's ex-MIL had a surprise major surgery at the end of last week, and I think comes home today. I'll arrange to take a meal to her in a couple of days. Then she has another surgery in a few weeks, so I'll put together a couple more meals to get to them before that one.
As for today, I'm resting this morning, then will work on cups and things the rest of the day since supper will practically make itself.
Layla is gone for her last summer visitation week, the boys are home and we're taking them school shopping tomorrow, then nothing on my schedule for a couple of weeks. I almost don't know what to do with myself. Lol.
Karla, I saw your photo of the okra on Instagram and it looked perfect. I'd have sat down and eaten the whole plate right there, lol. I'm glad you're sorting out softer foods to eat. Why pasta never occurred to me is a wonder.
Tammy, Wow. Your meals sound delicious but even better are the impromptu company dinners you pulled off.
Your last statement of not knowing what to do with yourself...I so understand that. And I plan nothing and suddenly my 'free' time is filled and I've no free time. From now on I'm going to plan my own days and let others know, "I'm busy." lol
I do Cuban black beans and rice, make LOTS , then add taco meat and put in tortillas then finish leftovers over salad with pita bread or flat bread .If there is too much to finish in salad I will make it into a casserole with Mexican cheese on top.
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