I have just had a brilliant idea!

Boring alert! I have some Tupperware type tubs from Lakeland that are perfect for 2 portions of soup, casserole, spag bol, curry, chilli etc etc.

When we (or more usually Mr P) does batch cooking we write the date and what it is on the lid with a whiteboard pen. It stays put in the freezer, but comes off easily when it comes to washing up.

jingle why don't you write a book? We will all contribute Good Ideas which might not have occurred to anyone else (for a share of the profits, natch)

I read a good one in a magazine forty years ago - when you stack your dishes in the cupboard, put the biggest at the bottom of the pile and the smaller ones on top. I think someone won a fiver for sending that in.

I can see it now - think they put it back!

Can anyone else see the Colman's thingy in Actives?

Riverwalk! It Has Not!!! Stop it!

I do not want to close down GN through lack of advertising funds.

Here's one I stumbled across that has stood me in good stead. Ask visitors if they are veggies BEFORE they arrive for Sunday lunch, then you can provide a non-meat snack whilst the rest have their roast beef.

And to be really thrifty use the left over portion / spoon of soup as a sauce for the meal you made by blanching the outer leaves of leeks (which profligate people discard) and stuffing with the ends of pieces of cheese which you have grated, mixed with a little mustard (there are some economical brands) a few toasted breadcrumbs and seasoning. You could serve this with freshly baked bread, or, if you have a few crusts left over, spread them with a little garlic butter and bake in the oven ( at the same time as the main dish obviously so you don't waste fuel).

No j08 it's gone from Actives!

vegas that's solved a dilemma for me!

All is not lost if you do resort to a takeaway. Use the containers for freezing extra portions or that left over spoonful of soup. Eh? Up here for thinkin'..... !

No. It's gone further down Actives. Phew!

OMG riverwalk! I blooming hope not! I'm dead in the water if it has!

Riverwalk it certainly looks as though we cope quite well without them doesn't it

Glammananna Surely you are not one of these people who has a freezer full of UFOs ? (Unidentified Frozen Objects) To anyone not awake yet!

What happened to the Colman's nonsense - has it been quietly withdrawn?

And don't forget to save used drinking straws, in case you need to transport a poorly worm to the vets.

Brilliant ideas - can't wait to give them a go!

Yes, Glamma, I've learned that by bitter experience. What I thought was beef casserole turned out to be chocolate icecream. We ate anyway.

You can get very tiny labels at discount stores like Poundland too. Very economical.

And, if you want to make day two a little different, you add a 'little extra' to the dish after you have defrosted it. Ideas might include a little tomato cut into a water lily shape or a few snipped chives (they're easy to grow on your windowsill) or even, with a fish dish, a lemon slice.

MiceElf so glad you mentioned the labels as it is very annoying when you defrost something you think is a main meal and you look and find an "apple pie" it defeats the object somewhat, then you have to run to the nearest takeaway

Have you all been winning a fiver in the women's magazines letter pages???

Why don't you shop for bargains so you can make extra meals for practically the same price??? Ow!!!! That made my brain hurt.....!

Good thinking Jess. You could even put a little sticky label on the top and sides of the plastic box for day two to remind your family about portion size. Just in case they forgot to listen to you.

OMG I had never thought of that.
You could like, use things like tomato puree, onions and herbs to give it a bit of flavour too couldn't you.
My tip is, once you have done this, tell any other members of household that "this is meant to be four portions" just to make sure day 2 does not turn into "seconds"

I really pushed the envelope there

Blue sky thinking