Making the Most of Food: Christmas

Christmas is upon us and with the credit crunch we are all looking for ways we can budget and still have a good time. By changing only a little it is amazing how much can be saved, simply by wasting less.

1. Plan ahead: know what meals you are catering for and make a list for shopping. Many shops reopen on Boxing Day so you do not have to fill the house with enough food for a fortnight. A lot of waste comes from buying too much “just in case”, far too much of which ends up being thrown away.
2. Check use by dates so nothing is going to go off before you use it. If that is likely then cook it into meal sizes portions and freeze.
3. Only buy what you can safely store. Know exactly what you can get in your fridge and freezer before you go shopping.
4. Cooking ahead as much as you can. Starters and desserts in particular are easy to plan ahead and can be prepared days in advance. Not only does it make sense in time management so you don’t spend all you time in the kitchen, it can also save you money by taking advantage of bulk buy offers.
5. Buy things you eat – this may sound silly but I know plenty of families who don’t actually LIKE turkey but buy and cook one anyway. Pick a main dish you all enjoy. How about a nut or meat loaf spruced up for Christmas, or a joint of beef, even chicken if that is preferable to turkey. With a little effort you can make any dish a little extra special and you can still do the usual stuffings and trimmings.
6. Cook up several dishes and freeze them for unexpected guests. That way, if the guest doesn’t arrive it is still there for use later and won’t be wasted.
7. Freeze leftovers as soon as possible. If you don’t want to be eating turkey in some shape or form all week, freeze in portions that can be added to various dishes in later weeks. That way no one gets fed up of it. It is also safer; poultry can only be kept safely in a fridge for two days once it is cooked. There are lots of recipes available for making use of leftovers. Or experiment yourself. Poultry can only be safely frozen once. Defrost, cook in the new dish and use immediately.
8. Buy vegetables and fruit in loose quantities. Do not be tempted to buy that huge bag of sprouts if you are the only one in the house who likes them. Buy the quantities that you will use. Picking loose produce is also cheaper per pound and you can pick the best ones there. Choose vegetables and fruit that your family will eat. Be prepared to make soups from leftovers and from vegetables that are passed their best. Fruit whose skin is beginning to wrinkle can be peeled and stewed with a little water and sugar to make a fruit compote to go over ice cream or morning cereal.

I realise it seems a lot of work, but actually good organisation usually goes together with good time management so you may well find, by Christmas day, you can take it slow and easy knowing you have done the best for you and your family. Merry Christmas everyone.