After the decision was made to Eat Down the Fridge (EDF), the first step was to figure out what was in the fridge. And the freezer. And the pantry. Because I had absolutely no idea what kind of supplies we were sitting on. So instead of going grocery shopping during Week 1, I sat down and made lists, our EDF roadmap. All that chickenscratch you see up there? That’s what we had in the freezer and pantry. And yes, my handwriting really is that bad. Looking at that list, how many different meals do you think we came up with? If you don’t include leftovers, the count is currently at 17. So far, we’ve had:
- Pasta with Sauce
- Skillet Roasted Fish
- Roast Pork
- Ham Slices with Stewed Tomatoes
- Lime Chicken with Quinoa
- Maple Soy Salmon with Asian Slaw
- Chicken Marsala with Barley Risotto
- Terryaki Beef Stir Fry
- Chili
- Quiche with Salad
- Orange Glazed Chicken with Glazed Carrots
- Miso Fish with Green Beans
- Veggie Burgers with Soup
- Baked Eggs
- Chicken in Rosemary Sauce with Lentils
- Pork Marsala with Brussel Sprout Hash
- Baked Fish
I admit that in addition to getting weekly staples like milk, juice, and eggs, we have come home from the store with some questionable purchases. Could I have made pie dough for the quiche? I could have, but I didn’t. And the family size box of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese? That and a pound of ground beef were required research for a Food Memories entry.
I probably should have updated those lists before I scanned them because we really have made great strides in using up what we have. But I have a feeling that some of those items, I’m looking at you black lentils, are destined to be the last one to go.
Despite all that, my freezer still seems impossibly full. How is that possible? Will we ever see it cleaned out? And will I have enough tricks up my sleeve to see this thing through?
Bon Appetit Hon 
Making a list is a great idea. Looks like you’ll be set for a while…with loads of creative dishes, no doubt.
I admit that I too have backslid the EDF idea. when I found out that there was an overabundance of chicken ( sorry, I can’t eat chidken every day) and that the local mega mart had a 5 packages of meat for $20 sale, I capitulated.
this is the reason that there is a pot of chili on the stove and jazzy cornbread is on the menu along with honey butter this evening.
let me tell you how cold and windy it is here and chili will sound Wonderful!
there were beef cubes in with this sale. so looks like sour beef and dumplings will be on the menu soon!
Potato dumplings YUMMO!
Tracy, making that list was the key to everything. Most of the original list items have been used. But I can’t keep new stuff from finding its (their?) way in. I’m working on a 1 week rule with regards to freezer goods…if I will use it within one week, I can buy it.
Emily, hope you enjoyed the jazzy cornbread with your chili. Cold and windy made its presence known here today too.
Cornbread was wonderful. All gone! with honey butter it was exceptional!
Emily, I’m so pleased that the jazzy cornbread was a hit. Whenever I type jazzy cornbread, I do a little jazz hands just for fun.
Thank you! I have had to cut and paste ever since I printed half the blog….
Lara, I’m not sure this will be my final solution but it’s a step in the right direction.