Pantry, fridge/freezer challenge and .... (1,386 views)
applecrisp1
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Post by applecrisp1 on Jan 30, 2022 16:27:58 GMT -5
Kicking off the new year, just a few weeks late, with a pantry/fridge/freezer challenge.
Time to look in those cabinets and use up things languishing a bit too long. Or, you bought an ingredient for a recipe and never used it. Some spices you want to try/use. What is in the back of the freezer? And, adding a bit of nonfood challenge ---- for me, using up some odds and ends cleaning supplies, hair products too etc etc. And adding the "rule" for me, no chocolate/sugary/not whole food type foods allowed to be purchased
I like to do this, to organize a bit, perhaps cut back on my grocery spending by being really good about looking what I have and incorporating some items in my weekly meals. I'm not looking to just eat what I have on hand. And at same time, make a few things to freeze. I don't have much in the freezer -- just one or two chicken cutlets, 1/2 lb ground turkey, two bags of frozen veggies, and a good amount of bread.
Tonight, I'm having a few meatballs from the freezer, and having it with some whole wheat pasta that I want to use up since not much left in the jar.
Any ingredients/food that you want to use up? Try?
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Post by wallycat on Jan 30, 2022 17:41:07 GMT -5
I pulled out a tube of Jimmy Dean's Natural breakfast sausage. I hesitate to say what the 'best buy' date was. Thankfully, it has remained frozen in a chest freezer...still...we'll see the quality. I'm going to treat it like ground pork and saute it, add spinach, marinara sauce and dump in some pasta. I'm sure we'll have leftovers tomorrow.
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Post by Catbatty on Jan 31, 2022 17:15:29 GMT -5
Aha! Just what I was thinking about doing!! Husband comes home from 6 night backpacking trip today. At first, I thought I'd like to make a soup -- some wonderfully thick POTATO soup, with celery...I want a CHOWDER type potato soup like my neighbor once shared and I am now kicking myself that I didn't get her recipe. (She passed away several years ago, so I can't go back and ask.)
NEXT, I thought about how lazy I feel. I don't really want to work hard today. I have other things that need doing..rather than peeling veggies and searching out the perfect recipe somewhere. (Any offers of good recipes are HIGHLY desired and welcomed!!!)
SO THEN, I thought: I HAVE A FREEZER FULL OF BITS AND PIECES...and boxes...and bags...some of which, my husband would not be too happy to eat. (Thinking of all the meatless fake chicken things I've acquired that I actually LIKE. Mandarin chicken fake from Trader Joe's, for instance.)
SOOOOO why not make up a BUNCH of these freezer things...and hubby won't feel COMPELLED (did I spell that correctly?) to eat and so PUT UPON and miserably cheated in life... (He's actually pretty good about eating whatever I make--when I finally decide to do some cooking--but he kind of shrinks when I do the fake chicken things...)
Here is what I have: several years old wild life medly... Hmmm... wonder if I dare? (Or toss it out??)
Pot stickers (vegetarian)... more bags than I care to mention. YUM. With various dipping sauces, these would be good and he would probably enjoy them.
TAMALES... I keep buying huge bags of vegetarian tamales! Not too crazy about them...so there they sit...plus I just bought a different brand (bag of them) to add to the collection. Might do those.
The Mandarin Chicken things...maybe sneak some of those in....
Wonder what else is hiding in the freezer...
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traildoggie
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Post by traildoggie on Feb 1, 2022 13:04:17 GMT -5
I'm in!
had a bag of costco riced cauliflower/mixedvegies. did not like t all. I love their plain riced cauliflower, but this combo was not good. I composted several bags. a bag of frozen mixed berries ( again costco) that are actually good. Im lightly cooking them and making them into a fruit topping for my evening dessert. I liked them but got lost in the inner recesses of freezer. also some white fish in there that lost its label. I think it might be catfish that DH wont eat. tomorrow is trash pick up so will test some for lunch today and decide then. I have a side by side fridge/freezer that doesn't store much. it's organized and clean. it's the back up garage freezer that needs turn over. its a manual defrost freezer so things stay longer in it than in a frost free one.
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Post by Catbatty on Feb 4, 2022 4:29:26 GMT -5
OK Traildoggie dearest, I'll bite. That backup freezer in your garage (I have same in mine)...is the reason 'things stay longer in it' because they are so buried in that crowded up, frost-encased world OR do they KEEP longer...which is what I thought you meant--at first reading? Now I think that first-read of mine was wrong. You meant: who ever wants to go out there and FIGHT THROUGH THAT, right?? LOL PLUS, IT's DARN COLD OUT THERE NOW. I avoid that task as much as I can. The old thing is so bad now (it came with the house) that we have to BLUE TAPE the thing closed, else the ice build up forces the door open a tad which creates even MORE ice and everything melts just a wee bit.  Thank goodness for our tape idea, courtesy of a lifetime friend of mine. It actually works and saves us...probably $1,000+!! LOVE IT!! hahaha |
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traildoggie
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Post by traildoggie on Feb 5, 2022 15:29:25 GMT -5
catbatty... actually I meant that non frost free freezers... things dont get freezer burned so easily, so they last longer. its my understanding that frost free freezers go thru a regular warming cycle to melt frost forming on things. it keeps ice from building up but it does freezer burn the food thru freeze/thaw/freeze/thaw repeated again and again. the edges of food get "burned". a non frost free freezer is steady cold but needs to be manually defrosted twice a year. mine doesnt build up that much frost, but 2x a year is about right. opening the door and letting in moist room air eventually builds up as ice.
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Post by wallycat on Feb 5, 2022 18:46:22 GMT -5
I'm using up a can of 28 oz whole tomatoes from the pantry. Using the 660 Curries cookbook to make "Bolly Cauli" since I also had to use up a japanese sweet potato (which will be the replacement for the russet they want). Smells great already. Super easy. I may toss in a can of peas, just to use more stuff up and make it colorful.
Yes, the chest freezer keeps food in better shape because of the constant temperature. I have a small one in my laundry room and I also hate working through it. I have 2 plastic containers, 3 wire racks and a small ledge. Not helpful if you just keep tossing it in there, LOL. I "found" a vension tenerloin that DH got 2 years ago..maybe 3. Still looks perfect in the vacuum sealed bag. It's next on the menu.
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applecrisp1
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Post by applecrisp1 on Feb 13, 2022 17:27:54 GMT -5
So fun to read what others are making/using up and joining in.
Just made some granola since have lots of oats and walnuts. And I haven't made it in a few years ---- like putting a small amount on my greek yogurt to give it some crunch.
Made some chili a few days ago for the freezer -- since I had all the ingredients on hand. Plus one of my go to's in the winter --- thanks to KarenW suggesting the CL recipe years back. An all time fav, I do change up a bit, leave out a few things etc.
I might make something with the quinoa or wh wht couscous to bring to lunch.
I'm not stepping foot into a supermarket for at least a week. The fact that I'm working late some days --- makes it way easier to accomplish that.
Anyone else?
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Post by mcgee on Feb 13, 2022 18:55:17 GMT -5
Last night I made a pesto-asparagus lasagna to use up some dried lasagna noodles that I bought for Christmas 2020, a partial tub of pesto sauce, and a couple of different cheeses that I needed to use up before they started get moldy. I did have to buy the asparagus though. It was a Vegetarian Times recipe that I’ve used before and really liked but last night’s version was just okay. I think I might have needed a stronger flavored cheese. I had a serving today for lunch and will finish it off tomorrow for lunch. Earlier in the week we had some leftover chili that I had frozen.
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Post by Catbatty on Feb 14, 2022 4:03:34 GMT -5
Had yearnings for fried tacos. Took some leftover cooked pintos, leftover FRITO BEAN DIP...sauteed onions...mixed tog and added spices. THEN added a bag of frozen fake beef crumbles (Beyond Beef Crumbles)...and cooked all together to use as taco meat. FIRITO BEAN DIP often comes in handy when cooking and did the trick here, too. Could have done without the fake meat. That brand didn't suit me...tough to chew. But anyway: freshly fried tortillas, shredded cheddar cheese. black olives, chopped onion, strips of green chiles, and salsa and my bean mixture. YUM.
Again: I'VE FOUND THAT FRITO BEAN DIP (spicy I think is the type I like) comes in handy and I think I'll continue to keep a can always in the pantry. Works for several things in a pinch.
(Going to try beef crumbles by Field Roast next time alone for tacos because I adored their buff chicken wings last week...fried up. So good. Not into the sauce (tho it tasted like any buffalo sauce I've ever had)...but thinking if they can make food taste like THAT their plant-based beef crumbled must be great!)
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Post by wallycat on Feb 14, 2022 11:45:15 GMT -5
Catbatty, how does the Frito bean dip differ from plain old canned refried beans? I should see the ingredient list; the bean dip sounds yummy.
I had a languishing grass fed ground beef brick in the freezer and still have cans of tomato products; I used pureed tomato and the beef to make a ragu bolognaise over tagliatelle. DELISH.
Leftovers, for sure!
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Post by karenw on Feb 14, 2022 18:57:30 GMT -5
With 2 refrigerators and 2 full upright freezers (for 2 people now that the kids have flown the coop), I always have stuff to use up. Having lots of storage space means I constantly buy what's on sale and stock up, then try to clean it out but end up filling it all over again either with the next sale or the cooked leftovers!!! A losing battle albeit a tasty one! This past weekend I used up some chicken thighs and ground turkey along with some homemade stock. I made a Chicken Gundi soup with the thighs which was DEE-LICIOUS! Recipe was Jenn Louis. The other soup was from a recent Cook's Illustrated for Armenian Meatball Soup with Yogurt. The recipe does call for ground lamb but since I do not like lamb, I used the turkey. And then, of course, half of each batch of soup went back into the freezer for a later date!!! Oh well....like a said it is a tasty predicament I put myself in when I cook. I did finally use up all the ground turkey between this weekend's soup and last week we had a recipe (also called for lamb but I used turkey) from Warren Ozlem for Aubergine kebab with Tomatoes. It was really delicious! I served it with some crispy Persian brown rice.
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Post by mcgee on Feb 14, 2022 20:33:11 GMT -5
Catbatty, how does the Frito bean dip differ from plain old canned refried beans? I should see the ingredient list; the bean dip sounds yummy. I had a languishing grass fed ground beef brick in the freezer and still have cans of tomato products; I used pureed tomato and the beef to make a ragu bolognaise over tagliatelle. DELISH. Leftovers, for sure! Wallycat, I used to buy Frito Lay Bean Dip and then found this recipe: cincyshopper.com/copycat-frito-bean-dip-recipe/DH loves it as a dip and I use it to make Bean tostados. The nice thing about the FL Bean Dip is that it’s canned so has a long shelf but it’s so easy to make the copycat recipe I keep cans of refried beans in the pantry and can whip it up it minutes. It’s not identical to the real stuff but still very tasty. |
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Post by wallycat on Feb 15, 2022 13:20:56 GMT -5
Thanks! So except for the sugar, it is pretty much my standard for vegetarian nachos. I guess I would love the Frito's minus the sugar. Appreciate the info, McGee!!
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Post by Catbatty on Feb 16, 2022 0:30:03 GMT -5
Well gee, that bean dip copycat looks very doable! THANKS McGee! I wonder which flavor of the canned Frito Bean Dip it is like? I'm pretty sure I bought the SPICY version. (Chili powder??) I will have to go dig thru the recycling looking for the can. OR perhaps I can find it in my online grocery order. Will let you know.
Wallycat: my normal refried beans differ, depending on brand. I prefer Bearito (vegetarian version). Some brands are way to bland for me. I suspect that the normal Frito Bean Dip is too bland, so I probably bought the spicy.
Going to find out.
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Post by Catbatty on Feb 16, 2022 0:37:42 GMT -5
Fritos Hot Bean Dip , 9 Ounce ------- the HOT version! That's spicy, to me, not hot. Yum. Yes, good to keep on hand just in case something beany is needed.  THAT is the version I buy. (I found my online receipt.) (Their regular Frito Bean Dip is just called that. So you get your choice of Bean Dip or Hot Bean Dip, it appears.) Catbatty |
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applecrisp1
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Post by applecrisp1 on Feb 22, 2022 21:33:46 GMT -5
Tonight big salad with lots of add ins like walnuts, golden raisins and a few things I wanted to use up. Salad along with a slice of pizza from the freezer. I might try this recipe to use up the can of cannelini beans in my cabinet for a long time. And have parm to use and .... themom100.com/recipe/cannellini-bean-dip-with-lemon-and-parmesan/ |
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Post by erin elizabeth on Feb 23, 2022 7:58:12 GMT -5
Did I already share this white bean dip with you, applecrisp? I love it! But I am thinking maybe I did and the mayo threw you off it  I do need a pantry challenge. My freezer is pretty clear, but I use a cabinet above my fridge for extra dry goods and, needless to say, who knows what has been pushed into the way back where I cannot reach! I usually use some tongs to grab things from back there! White Bean Dip 4 green onions 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp cumin 2 cloves garlic 2 15oz cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained 1/4 c mayo 1/4 c lemon juice Whirl it all together in a food processor. |
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applecrisp1
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Post by applecrisp1 on Mar 10, 2022 17:27:34 GMT -5
Erin --- Thanks for the recipe, for some reason I just noticed the post Hope things are good with you! Make any slab pies recently, just kidding.
Tonight I'm having a salad, roasted broccoli along with pasta --- and using a jar of Butternut Pasta Sauce or something like that (has been in my cabinet for months).
I definitely have seen a drop in my food costs over the last few weeks. I think in large part to the super cold weather ..... not too thrilled about going food shopping when its 14 degrees out. That is one way to use up what I have.
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Post by mcgee on Mar 29, 2022 17:52:19 GMT -5
Last night I made a ravioli "lasagna" and it was quite tasty. I used a half package of spinach and cheese ravioli that had been in the freezer for some time, shredded some parmesan and mozzarella that I wanted to use up(didn't finish either package off, though), and layered it all with Classico Sweet Italian Basil Spaghetti Sauce. DH loved it and it was sooo easy. Wish I could say it was my own creation but it came from www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/4-ingredient-ravioli-lasagna/We're having leftovers tonight. |
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Post by Catbatty on Mar 29, 2022 23:04:24 GMT -5
Great idea, Mcgee. We always seem to have frozen ravioli on hand. I've done same with burritos and enchilada sause/cheese/olives (usually I nuke the frozen burritos a bit), and I've always used spagetti to make spagetti PIE, but never thought to do similar to RAVIOLI!!! Sounds SO GOOD!! And whew, SO EASY. And husband will so happily gobble it up. (I know him so well--I can SEE him now with this dish. He will be very happy with dinner.) Thanks! (BTW: he does most of the cooking, but I do stuff like this...easy and chosen to get it on the table fast and look like I"VE COOKED!! I"VE COOKED!!) Catbatty Last night I made a ravioli "lasagna" and it was quite tasty. I used a half package of spinach and cheese ravioli that had been in the freezer for some time, shredded some parmesan and mozzarella that I wanted to use up(didn't finish either package off, though), and layered it all with Classico Sweet Italian Basil Spaghetti Sauce. DH loved it and it was sooo easy. Wish I could say it was my own creation but it came from www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/4-ingredient-ravioli-lasagna/We're having leftovers tonight. |
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abigail41
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Post by abigail41 on Oct 6, 2022 23:35:43 GMT -5
I have a huge freezer because I buy things when they are on sale. I save a ton of money that way. I have huge boxes of frozen veggies that I keep when they're on sale (often). I also keep boxes of frozen fruit and frozen chicken, as well as frozen bacon. That way, when I'm too busy to plan a meal, I can just pull something out and cook it. And, I don't have to worry about the food going bad before I use it. |
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Thank goodness for our tape idea, courtesy of a lifetime friend of mine. It actually works and saves us...probably $1,000+!! LOVE IT!! hahaha
THAT is the version I buy. (I found my online receipt.) 
