27 Aug 2012, 6:40 am
I used to be like this , have you thought of doing as the Master race do ( The Swiss) and shop daily, well that could be a bit much
though lets say every few days, it's a lot less stressful believe it or not and I think faster.You get better savings to and now that I shop that way I hardly ever throw food out 
The Swiss
(have flash backs of that Film Cool Runnings , that film almost made me cry 
Bob sled who doesn't love that ?
I couldn't handle the supermarket every day, nor could I deal with having to go out every day in addition to work.
OliveOilMom
Veteran
Joined: 11 Nov 2011
Age: 60
Gender: Female
Posts: 11,447
Location: About 50 miles past the middle of nowhere
27 Aug 2012, 2:34 pm
Here is what I do. First, make a list of seven meals to cook for supper. Then make a list of what you need to cook them. Then add what snacks and drinks you want, paper products, cleaning products, hygeine products. Make your list in sections that corrospond to how the store is laid out, ie; all produce together, all meat togther, all dairy together.
One thing about coupons is that while they are helpful sometimes, most of the time they are for name brand items that you buy cheaper if you buy the store brand. I rarely use coupons unless it's for something I plan to buy anyway or something that I must have the name brand of.
I stick to hamburger meat, pork chops, chicken, sometimes tuna, for the meats. Sometimes a beef or pork roast, but you can get cheaper cuts and if you cook them for hours they are tender. I also sometimes just buy the reduced meat (which was cut the day before and needs to be sold that day and can be frozen without a problem) and then buy around that.
I have a few staple dinners that I make that everybody likes, and I can make quite a few things with few ingredients.
Some of mine are;
Meatloaf
Spaghetti and meatballs
Swedish meatballs
Baked pasta
Pasta fazool
Pizza
Hamburger steak
Country fried steak
Fried chicken
Baked chicken
Goulash
Stroganoff
Chili
Tacos
Philly steak sandwiches
Fried pork chops
Baked pork chops
Roast
Ham
Pasta is the most versitile and it's simple. My entire top shelf in one pantry is all canned tomatoes. I have the spises and make the sauce then add whatever meat I want. Really cheap cuts of meat are good to add to this because you can cook it for a few hours and it's tender. When the sauce is done, boil the pasta, drain it, mix it with the sauce and whatever cheese you like, put it in the oven and bake it covered. You can vary the taste by using beef, pork or veal. Or you can use different cheese mozzerella, parmesean, romano (not that canned junk, fresh), ricotta, asiago, provelone.
Meatballs are good too. Mix equal parts ground beef, pork and veal. Add an egg and a small can of tomato paste. Mix well. Add basil, parsley, oregano, garlic and crushed red pepper. Mix well. Add minced garlic. Add bread crumbs so it's still enough to roll into balls. Brown them in one pan and as they brown, put them in the simmering sauce in the other pan. Cook a few hours.
You can serve them alone, with pasta, or on sandwiches.
You can also brown veal cutlets dipped in breadcrumbs and egg/milk, in a deep frying pan, then add either red or marinara sauce to cover them, then cook with a lid on for about 30 mins, turning once and then take the lid off so it simmers down and add parmesean to the top of each cutlet. This also works for chicken or eggplant.
Pasta fazool is cheap and quick. Make your sauce and while it's cooking, cook some beans. Whatever kind of beans you like. Drain them, mash most of them up and put them in a frying pan with oil and garlic. Cook them a minute or three then add some sauce let cook covered on low about 30 mins. Serve over pasta.
If you like fish, then get some anchovies and drain them and cook them in a pan with olive oil and garlic until they disintigrate mostly. Add a can of tomato paste and garlic and spices. Stir that until it's nice and mixed. Cook on low while you cook and drain your pasta. Put the pasta in the pan with the sauce and mix well. Cook for ten more minutes. This is my youngest son's favorite.
_________________
I'm giving it another shot. We will see.
My forum is still there and everyone is welcome to come join as well. There is a private women only subforum there if anyone is interested. Also, there is no CAPTCHA.
The link to the forum is http://www.rightplanet.proboards.com
27 Aug 2012, 7:45 pm
I used to be like this , have you thought of doing as the Master race do ( The Swiss) and shop daily, well that could be a bit much
though lets say every few days, it's a lot less stressful believe it or not and I think faster.You get better savings to and now that I shop that way I hardly ever throw food out The Swiss
(have flash backs of that Film Cool Runnings , that film almost made me cry Bob sled who doesn't love that ?
I couldn't handle the supermarket every day, nor could I deal with having to go out every day in addition to work.
Well you are from NZ so that would explain it, actually sorry
it's just one of my sick minded (who thinks his my friend) friend was again ranting and raving on about how terrible NZ is (if it's true what he says he confirmed my long held suspicions) I don't think I'd ever want to go their to do what, for a similar difference ? I want to go some where interesting how about Russia? I want to see Putin wrestle a lion before lunch (his having raw bear steaks.) strange as I abhor animal cruelty
Though if I can be "serious " for a moment you should give it a go you may surprise yourself even if you have to break an old habit
