Technically I meant to begin this challenge last week, but John wanted to take me out to eat last Sunday and I had planned to get Chinese for New Year's Day. Since this week begins our first full week of January, I think it's fine to begin with our meals on Saturday.
I went to the grocery on Friday where I purchased fresh produce (broccoli, lettuce, Brussels Sprouts, onions, mandarins, apples, carrots, bell peppers, and cabbage), eggs, and half and half for my morning coffee. I also bought cheese and cream cheese. For snacks, I bought chips. John is giving up sugar in January, so I'll pull something from the freezer if I want a sweet of any sort.
My rules are simple: I'm cooking with what I have on hand as of the beginning of Saturday and will carry on for as long as I can. I will purchase any really good sales I see to put into the freezer and pantry but not to use right now. I'll restore produce and diary as needed but I'm really not looking to spend a lot this month at all. I plan to try to use what I have right now.
I confess being a bit shocked that we have so little hamburger on hand. I don't know why I should be shocked. I bought 10 pounds on October 15 when we went to Sam's club for the first time. I shouldn't be shocked that two months later we've only about 2.5 pounds. I will do the best I can with what I have.
My goal is not to use everything I have up and start over again. It is to use older items and simply to save a bit.
Breakfasts during this month will be really easy. We're having bagels and cream cheese Saturday morning and from there it shall be simply toast for John and likely yogurt and fruit for me. I've plenty of frozen fruit to use in the freezer.
Lunch/Supper (depending upon when we eat our heavier meal) are often sandwiches/leftovers/soup. Those are just as much part of this challenge as main meals.
Salisbury Steaks, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans with Mushrooms, Biscuits. I have out a pound of beef and we should net four nice sized burgers from this. I'll just set half this meat aside for a future meal this week.
Black Beans, Yellow Rice, Salad, Tortillas. I believe this will use up the last of the 'expired' black beans. I have plenty of dried ones on hand to use in future.
Kielbasa, Pierogi, Cabbage, Applesauce.
Brunswick Stew, Cornbread. I have a package of four thighs in the freezer that is quite old. I'll use those as the meat in this stew. I generally get enough of this to serve now, freeze some for later and share, by the time all the vegetables are added in. If there's leftover mashed potatoes or rice, I could serve the stew over either of those to stretch a meal a bit further, but I like to eat it with just a hot pan of cornbread.
Pork Chops, Sweet Potatoes, Brussels Sprouts. I may chop and roast the vegetables with dried cranberries and chopped apple and make this a sheet pan sort of meal.
Chicken Parmigiana, Pasta, Steamed Broccoli, Garlic bread. I'll split one of the large breasts we bought last month into four portions.
Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes, French Fries or Chips, Fresh fruit. I'll make only a quarter of this recipe. It is so good, but I do not need to make two pounds of beef for just the two of us. I should still get about four sandwiches worth of meat so there will likely be leftovers.
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