So, the store cupboard challenge is over!
We ate well, most of the time, not too weirdly and a bit more thoughtfully. I've discovered that we keep quite a substantial amount of non-perishable food and my trips to the food shops needn't be as frequent as they have been. With a bit of thought we've made use of what we already had in the cupboard and the freezer and have actually had a more varied diet for it. It's easy to get stuck in your ways and rely on a handful of familiar ideas and forget what lovely dishes you could have if you took the time to think about it.
The hubbie, who is head chef in our household, says he's quite enjoyed the Ready Steady Cook Challenge, as he named it. I think he might have blanked out the memory of the choice words he came out with on Friday night when he discovered that sour cream is no replacement for double cream. Separated cream doesn't look the best but the potato boulangere still tasted delicious!
Yesterday was a bit of a cheat as we were out all day with friends so only had popcorn with a movie when we got home. (Don't bother watching Iron Man but do pop your own corn, kids and adults alike love the exploding sounds coming from the pan.)
And tonight could be considered a bit sneaky as we ate last week's leftover veggie bean chilli from the freezer. However, we freed up space in the freezer and the accompanying brown rice came from the cupboard!
All in all the week was a success and I think we'll make it a regular every few months. We saved money, we made some space in the kitchen and used our brains a bit more. I hope that everyone taking part at myzerowaste.com and frugal-life.spaces.live.com enjoyed it too!
Yay! what a great post - thank you. I loved how you used things up this week and am delighted your hubby enjoyed it.
I loved it too and would like to continue for another week. I'm going to see what is in my freezer this week!
Posted by: Mrs Green | Sunday, 16 August 2009 at 22:32
So impressed by your resourcefulness! Hopeless cooking skills and Hubbard-ish cupboards notwithstanding, I might have to try the idea out myself soon. :)
Posted by: Kirsty | Monday, 17 August 2009 at 07:59
You've inspired me to give it a go, I half did it over the weekend by eating things I'd forgotten about in the freezer but ended up buying a few extra ingredients to go with them. Great idea though...
Posted by: Kelly | Monday, 17 August 2009 at 15:14
Ah, thanks, guys!
Mrs Green - you're an inspiration, looking forward to reading about how you're getting on living out of the freezer (not literally obviously).
Kirsty and Kelly - have a go! It's much easier than you think and you'll be decidedly chuffed with yourself once you conjure up a tasty dish when you thought you had nothing to eat!
And when you do, don't forget to tell me about it!
Posted by: thegreengal | Tuesday, 18 August 2009 at 21:46
One of my favourite domestic moments is when I use something up and put the empty bottle / jar/ tin in the recycling! I thought it was just part of being an organisation-freak ... now I'm going to feel all warm, fuzzy and eco-friendly :)
ps: as Kirsty already knows - at my house we call what you do 'Supermarket Chicken'. It's when we see how long we dare go before going food shopping!
Posted by: Julie K | Monday, 26 October 2009 at 08:50
That's the funny thing about doing green things, Julie, you do a lot without realising or in the name of thrifty, the eco-friendliness is a happy coincidence!
Love the supermarket chicken title for the store cupboard challenge, makes it sound quite daring, almost glamorous!
Posted by: the green gal | Monday, 26 October 2009 at 22:17