Have you got a good common sense approach to kitchen management or is your kitchen out of control? If saving money is one of your priorities, controlling the kitchen is incredibly important, with food shopping the number one rule – only buy what you need.
Why waste money guessing what groceries you need when a few minutes planning could you save you at least £15 a week, more when you calculate your time shopping, and throwing out food waste.
About our family meal planner
This week’s family meal planner
Shopping list
Again this week’s meal plan will save you money, there are always alternatives to the more expensive ingredients and whilst I agree with the principles of organic food, we must not forget that there is no substantial proof that nutritionally organic food is better than non organic.
About our family meal planner
These family meal planners are made up of dinners that are kid friendly, forming part of a weekly balanced diet. It will give you plenty of nutrients from each of the food groups (carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals), says Sian.
The weekly meal plans are inclusive of animal and plant protein such as fish, white meat, red meat and eggs. You’ll find nuts, chickpeas, cheese and seeds on the meatless day. Sian says the secret to affordable, healthy meals is to plan ahead to make sure you are stress-free, and have the right ingredients in the correct amounts in your kitchen ready to cook.
Every week, Sian provides you with five simple recipes to plan. You can decide when to make them, on whichever day suits you best. There is also a shopping list (below) that can be printed ready to take with you to the supermarket.
This week’s meal planner
- Escalope of pork with parmesan coat. Cheese sauce and champ
- Warm oats, nuts and plum crunch
- Easiest beef stew ever served with crusty bread
- Quick tomato and chickpea soup
- Oatmeal roasted fillet salmon
- Chicken pieces, pan fried with onion gravy and baby carrot
Shopping list
Baked Products
Bread – 1 slice
Flour – 3 tblsp
Tortilla Wraps – 4
Beef Chicken Fish Products
Stewing Steak – 1 kg
Salmon Fillets – 4
Chicken legs or pieces – 8
Pork Product
Pork Fillet – 1
Bacon – 2 slices
Breakfast Cereals
Oatmeal, Porridge Oats – 6 tblsp
Cereal Grains and Pasta
Cornflour – 1 tblsp
Plain flour – 2 tblsp
Semolina Dry – 130 g
Oatmeal
Dairy and Egg Products
Brie Cheese – 100 g
Eggs – 2
Cheese Parmesan Grated – 25 g
Milk Low fat – 300 mls
Cheese Cheddar – 50 g
Milk – 100 mls
Fats and Oils
Olive oil – 3 tblsp
Sunflower oil – 5 tblsp
Caesar dressing (low calorie) – 4 tblsp
Butter or Flora Buttery – 25 g
Fruits and Fruit Juices
Fresh Lime – 1
Plums – 450 g
Nut and Seed Products
Chopped Nuts – 2 tblsp
Soups, Sauces, and Gravies
Chicken stock cube – 1
Beef Stock – 2 litre
Spices and Herbs
Clove of Garlic – 1
Cinnamon (ground) – 1 tsp
Dijon mustard – 1 tsp
Fresh Rosemary – 1 tsp
Nutmeg (ground) – 1/2 tsp
Paprika – 3 tblsp
Chilli – 1/2 tsp
Store Cupboard
Chickpeas ( 1tin) – 400 g
Sweets
Brown Sugar – 120g
Vegetables and Vegetable Products
Red Onion – 1
Onion – 5
Fresh Parsley – 2 tblsp
Tomato puree – 2 tblsp
Tomato juice (canned) – 200 mls
Chopped Tomatoes – 400 g
Carrots – 4
Rocket Leaves – 2 ozs
Potatoes – 3.5 lbs
Spring Onions (finely sliced) – 8
Vegetables of your choice eg Broccoli, cabbage
Sian is a home economist with over 25 years experience as a secondary school teacher and now running her own private cookery school with a focus on meal planning. After years of seeing people struggling to provide healthy meals everyday for their families, she created her own meal planning system at Siansplan.com.
