The Vicar's Wife's Cookbook

Hi Chad, how did it go last week?  Make a note of things you didn't like (and will never make again) and things you would change..eg more salt, less garlic etc. Before you go shopping check your cupboards, fridge and freezer.  Throw out anything iffy but don't buy stuff you already have.  That way madness lies. Menu Saturday        lunch     ratatouille with Irish beer bread                     dinner    sausage, mash, baked beans                                  fresh fruit salad Sunday          lunch      Roast chicken, roast veg                                  French style apple tart and cream/custard                 ...

Print off the list then check your cupboards , freezer etc before you head out to Asda and cross off what you don't need to buy.   Fresh stuff bag mixed peppers,   head celery,    1 x cucumber,    4 x onions,      4 x lemons,     cherry tomatoes, 2 x large tomatoes (not beef toms),   iceberg lettuce,  spring onions,  radish,   new potatoes,  2 x baking potatoes,  1 x sweet potato,   1 x courgette,  2 x bananas,  3 x large cooking apples,  1 kg carrots,   eating apples,  green beans,  shallots,  fresh chillis,  1 x cooked beetroot (not essential!) pork chop (if it's a pack of several you can freeze the others individually for later in the month), smoked mackerel  (ditto)  Dairy 6 x eggs,  butter,  cheese........at least 1 large block of cheddar and 2 or 3 others that you like, pate,  cream or custard or both,  milk, pac...

Hi Chad, this blog is for you.  I'm assuming that you have no knowledge of cookery though there will be lots of things you do know, but this way I can try to make it foolproof. The way I organise my cooking and shopping is to plan a menu, check what's in the freezer/cupboards and then write a shopping list.  That's not to say that things don't get altered if there's a good offer or something which isn't always available, but when you have a  very busy and, occasionally, disorganised, life then this method can help.  It's the way I've done it for years.   The other thing which has developed over the years is to spend a long session in the kitchen preparing and cooking so meals for several days are sorted and you don't have the often dispiriting task of cooking a meal for 1 from scratch when you've had a long day.   So, here goes. I can't remember what's in your cupboard so I'll assume there's nothing!!!!