After going through the pantry and cleaning out the freezers just before the New Year {the one in the kitchen and the deep freezer in the garage} we discovered we had a ton of food in those places {including a bunch of pork chops, turkey and blueberries and plus about a dozen mystery containers of leftovers}. So, the plan for January was to forgo the grocery store and eat from our pantry instead. With one exception: milk. That was the plan at least. 😉
Last year we spent a whopping $2909.98 on groceries {an average of $242.50 a month} which was the highest amount we’ve spent on groceries in the past 8 years. Even though I’m not really couponing anymore, and our eating habits have changed over the past few years {HELLO FANCY CHEESE}, I’d like to get the food bill down to the $150-$175 range this year if possible. {I know it’s possible, I just need to have the willpower to not buy so much cheese!}
When we lived on the West Coast, Fred Meyer and Winco were my favorite places to shop {after the whole double coupon craze at Albertsons went bust}. Here on the East Coast though, I’m finding that Market Basket and ALDI are my go to places for groceries. As time goes on though, we are hoping to be shopping less from the grocery stores and more from our backyard garden. First though, we need to ground to thaw. And that could take a few months. 😉
Here are some of the food we ate this past week:
**************
Pork chops…. no applesauce! 😉 The HH likes to coat them in bread crumbs and dried herbs and man of man are they good! For some strange reason though, every time he makes pork chops, rice is served alongside them. It’s kind of funny.
We started the month with 6 frozen turkey breasts. And now we are down to 5, plus a little leftover in the fridge from when I made this turkey casserole a few days ago. I think I’ll make a pan of turkey enchiladas next.
I don’t know about you, but I sure do love making a big pan of something that will last for a few days. Not only does it cut down on dishes, but turkey casserole for breakfast? Yes please!
Black Bean, Corn and Tomato Quiche.
Another week… another MEATBALL {he is obsessed!}. Meatball recipe coming next week. 🙂
We had planned on making the some lemon tarts from the Bouchon Bakery Cookbook this month but I didn’t read through the entire recipe to realize we needed something called silver leaf gelatin sheets to make the filling. I found the sheets on Amazon but the best deal is through the subscribe and save program so we’ll just have to wait a few weeks to make them.
I did order the specialty tins, and those little tart tins were expensive!! I wanted to get the professional ones with the highest rating because I know that once the HH gets the whole lemon/lime tart thing down, he will be making LOADS of them! And I do mean LOADS. The meringue though, that could be tough because it has to be just right.
And for the record, Coyle’s Bakeshop in Seattle has the best lemon tart on the planet earth.
Cracker Barrel on a Sunday morning… Whoa Nelly was it packed! The big fireplace in the center room was going and even though the restaurant was filled to capacity, the food didn’t take long to arrive. Mama’s Pancake Breakfast {all 1100+ calories of it} was just as good as the first time we tried it and you better believe I snuck the leftover mini syrup bottle into my coat pocket. Again.
2 Things.
- While we were waiting to be seated I was thumbing through The Cash and Carter Family Cookbook in the store. The pictures were amazing. Does anyone have a copy of it? Have you tried any of the recipes? Do I need to hunt down a copy of the cookbook?
- When our food arrived again on a bunch of plates, and after the server left the HH pointed out that “See, everyone on your blog agrees with me. The food should be separated.”
So, thanks for that everyone. 😉 Apparently he does read the comments, but only pipes up when you agree with him on something. What a funny guy.
Market Basket: $22.32
And last but not least, our first trip to Market Basket this year. We only went in for milk {cue the violin music} but the HH insisted that he needed his spreadable salted butter {because apparently he’s too good for the unsalted cubed butter we already had in the fridge}.
And since I know I’ll be making more soups and casseroles this month, I grabbed some frozen veggies because you know, the sacrifice of vegetable-less soup is real people and a certain male in our house will freak out if I serve turkey soup without vegetables. So there you have it.
Total Spent This Week $22.32
Total Spent in January on Groceries $22.32
How about YOU? Are you eating down your pantry in January? Anyone in your family breaking your January food budget? How did YOU DO? Curious minds want to know.
Have a great Monday everyone,
~Mavis & Lucy
You can go HERE to read more Shopping Trip Stories.
Kari says
I, too, had a turkey breast in my freezer. I thawed it out with the great intentions of having a nice turkey dinner with the fam last night. When I took it out of the package, I thought it smelled a bit off. As it cooked, it made the whole house smell like horrible rancid oil. (BARF) We, unfortunately, had to turn to plan B and head to our favorite Mexican restaurant. Luckily we had a gift card from my dad from Christmas. However, my plans of turkey leftovers for casseroles and soups this week have taken a nose-dive. I was so bummed.
I have been working on eating out of the pantry/freezer this month as well. I have made a few runs to Fred Meyer for fresh veges and milk, but have spent a lot less than I normally would in a month. I’ll call that a win!
Pamela says
The muffins look so tasty! I am also using up turkey leftovers. I tried a new recipe Saturday and my family says it needs to become a regular.
https://www.crunchycreamysweet.com/2017/10/18/one-pot-turkey-tetrazzini-recipe/
I am definitely not doing a spend free January, but I am trying for a spend less January. Daughter just brought up cinnamon rolls from the freezer for breakfast. Unfortunately cleaning out the freezer doesn’t seem to helping with my muffin top reduction. 😉
Barb says
I think you might need to relax your food budget–it’s a whole lot easier to maintain the budget when you do the shopping and cooking yourself, but when the HH is added to the mix, that’s another story. In my case, my HH is an impulse buyer or he decides he wants to make something now–and it has half a dozen ingredients that we don’t have, aren’t on sale, and might never use again–ingredients that end up costing as much I usually spend on one week’s worth of groceries!
Lana says
Our freezers are loaded. We really could go for months without buying meat and we need to. Yummy. Cracker Barrel. On the extra plates subject, we have an Amish restaurant where we eat breakfast and they are really stingy on the plates. So you get a platter with eggs on one end and the rest of the plate full of grits with your meat and your two biscuits piled on top of your eggs. It is flat out a juggling act to eat while shuffling everything around. If you ask for an extra plate you get the stink eye.
Stephanie from Utah says
I’m trying to eat down our pantry a little this month. I’m hoping to spend $300 this month instead of our normal $400 for our family of six. Stocked up the first two weeks, the plan for the next 3 are to spend $20 a week on milk and produce. It will be a bit of a challenge, but totally doable. I made a list of meals for the month and so far have stuck to the list, switching dinners around for some nights. I’ve got a whole turkey in the freezer that I’m planning on thawing this week, that should provide meat for a while!
Danni says
I have a family of six and try to stay on 400 a month as well. But that includes basic necessity stuff, TP, soap, laundry supplies and such. But I normally end up around 450 honestly. 🙁 Lol. Most meat is in freezer from hunting or fishing. And we purchase a half a beef each year. I don’t figure that in my monthly costs though. I am going to try and put in a proper garden this year. We have limited well water so after trying to talk my husband into it for the last 11 years he said go ahead.
Stephanie from Utah says
The $400 is just groceries, household supplies I track separately, varies each month. Last time I bought toilet paper, there was a discount for buying 4 huge packs, so I’ve got at least a year supply! This month so far I’ve spent about $50 on household necessities, plus $20 on diapers. So I’d say you’re doing well with $450! We do have some venison in the freezer, my husband’s first successful hunt! Maybe next year we’ll buy a quarter or half of beef.
Connie says
I love breaded pork chops too! Mine always seem dry though. What is HH’s secret for them to come out moist?
Melissa says
Due to the partial Gov shutdown, stretching the grocery budget isn’t a wish, it’s mandatory right now. Fortunately, my freezer is well stocked, and the pantry isn’t too bad either. I’ve been making soups, casseroles, and later this week plan to use leftover turkey in what is normally a chicken/artichoke lasagna. I’ll need to get the ricotta, or cottage cheese, for that but have everything else already. I think I’ve managed to spend less than $20 at the store on groceries so far in January. Mostly just getting milk, almond milk, and an occasional fresh vegetable.
Carrie says
There’s nothing like not getting paid to make you watch your pennies! 🙁 My partner is also a fed. but he received a paycheck last week and will be paid on the 25th but after that if the government isn’t back up and running we’ll have a no spend February. Thankfully he is tight as a tick so he can still cover his half of housing expenses for a few months. He works with many others that have hardly any money saved and are very stressed about how to pay their bills and feed their families. It is so sad.
Anne says
Chicken and artichoke lasagna sounds yummy! Care to share your recipe? I’m so sorry you both are having to deal with the govt shut down.
Cathy says
We are cleaning out the freezer but we did purchase fresh fruit and a few fresh veggies onions peppers celery potatoes.
We have an abundance of hamburger. But pretty proud of the thinking outside the box with using it. Best yet is hamburger, puff pastry,frozen spinach, lots of herbs ,garlic and cheese voila yummy dinner♡
Teri says
Were you able to freeze much of your produce from your garden? I can’t find mention of it. Excited to find out what you plan to grow this year!
Rebecca in MD says
Aldi just came to my area last year, and it has made a big difference in my grocery spending – – – we spent $50 less per month last year compared to the year before. We don’t have a Market Basket, apparently they are only in New England. That’s too bad, because it seems like you get some good deals there.
Speaking of Aldi, this week they had boneless, skinless chicken breasts on sale for $1.49/pound, so I stocked up. I shouldn’t have to buy any meats for the rest of the month and perhaps next month also.
LaToya says
I didn’t know there was spreadable butter. Like REAL butter? Spreadable? I thought all the spreadable stuff was faux better. I just tabbed over to my Fred Meyer grocery order for next week and added it to my cart – LOL Spreadable butter on Dave’s Killer Bread is going to make my Saturday mornings!
KC says
It’s butter-with-canola-oil (you can see that in the picture if you look closely). You might like it anyway, though! 🙂
Denise says
You can make your own spreadable butter easily by letting a pound of butter soften, then blend it will equal amount of your choice of oil. Sunflower is nice.
Amber says
My father-in-law will take two sticks of room temp butter, 4 oz of peanut oil, and 1 oz lecithin, and beat in your mixer until very well blended, then refrigerate promptly. It’s spreadable when cold. 🙂
Mel says
We do breaded pork chops as well. I use a Martha Stewart recipe that lets you freeze them raw and breaded and then they go straight from the freezer to the broiler. It works well with chicken breast too, and it’s nice for nights when I forget to thaw something.
Connie says
Mel, How long do you keep them under the broiler?
Mel says
Here’s the recipe: https://www.marthastewart.com/314062/breaded-pork-chops
It usually ends up being about 14 minutes, flipped halfway. I do boneless pork chops and use panko. Chicken is about the same. Since you pound it thin, and since the broiler is such high heat, it cooks pretty fast.
Rebecca in MD says
Mel, thanks so much for the recipe link for the breaded pork chops!
Marie says
Have to agree with Barb! HH needs his adventures in baking too. Being “locked up” for the winter makes anyone yearn to express themselves indoors. It’s still his first year of retirement so splurge a little on equipment for the kitchen. Geez Mavis-spread some lovin’ INDOORS!!
Valérie says
I found a pork butt in my freezer and cooked it in the oven with dijon and herbs. It was delicious!
I have some meatball stew in there too and we will have that later this week
Tracy says
The appeal of Cracker Barrel is a complete mystery to me. Someone explain the appeal? I’ve been twice, to two different restaurants. Both times, the seats and tables were sticky. Floor was too. Food was awful quality….canned vegetables, grey looking and swimming in water. All food was slapped down on a plate with zero thought to presentation. Worse, when I looked around the restaurant, way too many people were chomping their food with their mouths open, hanging over their chair seats… after the second visit, I’ve written it off. Right along with the Heart-Attack-On-A-Plate grease fest known as Denny’s! I love a good diner, mind you. But the place has to be clean-ish, and the food at least somewhat prepared with care, and I’ve eaten my last canned vegetable!
Cass says
When I met Ray, I told him I didn’t know how to cook. (he believed me, despite meeting all 3 of my grown children….LOL) So he has been doing the vast majority of the cooking for 12 years now. However, he is a typical male. If he wants chicken for dinner he stops and gets it on the way home. Forgets (ignores?) the fact we have 10 pounds of chicken in the freezer. SO, inspired by your lead, Mavis, I am trying to empty my freezer and not spend money on groceries this month. THEN the “stock up” sales started. I went to Price Chopper and spent $86, but the bottom of the receipt said I saved $64 dollars. Since I got enough food to feed us for a month (not consecutive days tho, 12 of those meals are red sauce based) I am not unhappy with my choice to spend money I vowed I wouldn’t. But now I have to plan dinner every night (the night before so he doesn’t stop on way home) and get the food out of the freezer. AND convince him that it is NOT illegal to eat leftovers, even if it means you eat the same food 2 nights in a row. (ohhh nooooo…LOL)
Kara says
Mavis, I do believe you have a new found crush on your HH! I can hear it in your voice and I think it’s awesome! 🙂
Mavis Butterfield says
Well, he is looking pretty good in his beard and flannel shirts these days. 🙂
molly says
The Cash and Carter Family Cookbook , I can get it on hoopla from my public library…check yours out!
Dians says
I know the feeling Barb and everything he buys contains sugar.