Freezer Cleanout Challenge
February 15, 2010
Last week, I read about the Pantry Cleanout Challenge and thought: Hey. I should do that.
And then I forgot.
But when a reader commented that she recently cleaned out her freezer and fed her family of four for the next month, plus spent only $100 at the grocery store on items like dairy and fresh produce, I knew I had to do it, too. And this time I didn’t forget.
So this weekend I emptied out my freezer, took an inventory of every item, and re-organized it all. It was a little embarrassing to discover I had more than 15 pounds of pork, turkey, chicken and beef – that is: the meat in our freezer weighs as much as our daughter – plus bag upon bag of frozen veggies, fruits, cheeses and puff pastry dough, as well as three pounds of butter. Seriously, who am I? Paula Deen?
This morning I glanced over my freezer inventory and made an entrée list that I think will last the next five weeks (since there’s just two of us, we generally always have leftovers – I’m incapable for cooking for two):
- International Quinoa Salad (I’m using up fresh produce before digging into the freezer)
- Southwestern Tostadas
- Turkey Tacos
- Cranberry Pork Roast
- Shepherd’s Pie
- Spaghetti
- Dijon Pork Medallions
- Quiche Lorraine
- Chili
- Chicken Pot Pie (speaking of Paula Deen, hers is my favorite recipe)
- Pork Fried Rice
- Enchilada Casserole (idea stolen from Nicole)
- Breakfast Quiche
- Pork Chops
- Swedish Meatballs
I’ll try to post pictures and recipes as I go through this list, because these dishes are so fabulous that you should have them in your repertoire, too.
So: who’s with me? Are you doing a pantry or freezer cleanout challenge? Or have you recently finished one? (And if so: do you have recipes to share?)
Comments
Thanks for the shout out! FYI my whole freezer challenge was documented on my other blog (not the one linked to) http://www.themenumom.com/category/freezer-pantry-challenge
In case you or anyone else wants to read about it. Your menu looks great! Isn't it always amazing how much we have when we really evaluate?
Posted by: Christine Steendahl | February 15, 2010 07:08 PM
Christine: thanks for the other blog link - I'll check out that one soon, too!
Posted by: chirky | February 15, 2010 07:15 PM
Ironically, being without electricity for 46 hours last week cleaned out both my refrigerator AND my freezer FOR me...nothing survived!
I am going to use the opportunity to replace a lot of our fridge staples with the organic versions - organic ketchup, mustard, etc...
Want to hear how that quinoa salad is! I love quinoa!
Posted by: Jenny B | February 15, 2010 10:00 PM
Wow, your freezer is so full of real food! I doubt I could feed my family on what's in my freezer... ice cream and cool whip and a couple of ears of corn.
However, I'm a huge fan of batch cooking... poach up a whole lot of chicken all at once, and use it for quick dishes for at least a week. Then my freezer gets really full.
Posted by: Sandra | February 16, 2010 09:30 AM
Amazingly enough, I use whatever is in my freezer. We also have a chest freezer in our garage that's empty!! Usually I only buy what we use. Since we became pregnant, I'm only "allowed" to eat organic meat. So even if I have anything in the freezer, Blake would have to eat it for the next 6 months. :)
Posted by: Lisa | February 16, 2010 03:41 PM
The menu sounds yummy. And that is a lot of meat! It took me some time to figure out how to cook for our family without having tons of leftovers (my kids and I are not big fans). Of course, it helps a lot that I have so many kids to feed. ;)
Posted by: nicole | February 16, 2010 05:17 PM
I'm insane that I keep an inventory list of my freezer on a whiteboard on the side of the fridge. And everything in my freezer is labelled and dated. I know I'm crazy; everyone who has seen my freezer has told me so. But it was tremendously helpful during the period when I was out at work at least 15 hours a day, and I figured why break the habit.
And yum! Thanks for the menu; I'm always needing new ideas. One of my favorite concepts was 20 from 20 (I think it's on allrecipes.com): 20 meals you can make using the same 20 ingredients. Great for people who are cooking for two but buying for twenty.
Posted by: Lia | February 17, 2010 06:29 AM