Making a Grocery List from a Recipe

So you have chosen your first recipe: Meatloaf and Mashed Potato/Cauli Blend (well done--great selections!). You are using the 1x scale to feed four people--either friends coming over, or to use as leftovers for you. Let's take a look at both recipes and get you started on your grocery list.

MEATLOAF INGREDIENTS:

• 1½lbs ground beef

• 1 egg

• 1c breadcrumbs or panko

• 1 small grated onion

• ¾c ketchup

• 1t garlic powder

• 1t oregano

• ½t ground mustard

• salt & pepper

• bacon crumbles (optional)

MASHED CAULIFLOWER-POTATO INGREDIENTS:

• 2 medium potatoes, yellow or russet

• 1 head of cauliflower, cleaned and rough chopped

• 5T butter

• salt & pepper

• ½c sour cream, optional

• chives, optional

If you had nothing in your refrigerator or pantry, your list would be this:

1½lbs ground beef, 12ct eggs, box of panko, 1 onion, ketchup, garlic powder, oregano, ground mustard, salt, ground pepper, bacon crumbles (optional), 2 medium yellow potatoes, 1 head of cauliflower, 1 box of butter, 8oz sour cream (optional), pack of chives (optional).

If you have already stocked your pantry and refrigerator with the basics, your list might look a little different. You just need to check every ingredient on your list against what's in your pantry, spice rack, and fridge. If you don't see the item there, it goes on your list.

Things to consider:

You will most likely not be able to buy your meat in a 1½lb package. There are several things you can do here:

• Go to the meat counter and have the butcher wrap up the exact amount of ground beef you need.

• Buy 2- 1lb packages, weigh out and set aside the ½lb remaining beef for another meal during the week (like tacos or cheeseburger mac). You can also put it in a freezer bag and squeeze as much air out as possible to save for a longer period of time.

• Catch a great beef sale, buy 3lbs, and divide and freeze the leftover 1½lbs in various sizes for future meals.

If you go with the second or third option, look at all the options/weights available to you and crunch some numbers to see what is best. Sometimes buying two packages of 1lb meat is not as cost effective as buying the 3lb option. Your budget, storage, and future meal planning will all be factors in helping you make the best choice possible.

• Potatoes and onions come in various size bags or are single. You'll need to decide what works best with your space and future meals. If you don't eat many potatoes, buying 2 medium sized ones rather than a bag, may be the best option. Same goes for onions.

• What does your spice rack look like these days? Be sure to not only check to see if you have the spice required for the recipe, but make sure you have the quantity of the spice you need as well. You'd be surprised at how quickly common spices such as garlic powder, cumin, chili powder, cinnamon, etc. are depleted. Your budget may also help you decide if you are going to purchase that seldom used jar of ground mustard or not.

• Butter is going to come in a box of four sticks. You may be able to find single sticks or a two-pack, but you should crunch the numbers before you buy smaller, as they will most likely be higher in unit cost than buying the normal 4ct box. Butter keeps for a very long time in the fridge. Buy unsalted so you can use it for other baking recipes and because you are salting the mashed potato-cauli blend.

• Ketchup and sour cream come in various sizes. What do you need beyond the use in this particular recipe? How quickly will you use that up? You could also substitute plain Greek yogurt for sour cream, which you may already have on hand for smoothies and breakfast, so that may also change what winds up on your list.

• Chives make a pretty garnish, but they aren't essential to your meal. Perhaps your budget won't allow you to have them, which is completely fine.

Now that you have your list ready, take the time to get online and check the ad and digital coupons for your grocery store. You might get lucky and find a great deal or two on items for your dinner, or other foods you use often. Be sure to check both your pantry and refrigerator before you head out to the store so you aren't buying duplicates! Stick to your list and only buy what's on it when you get there.

Now simmer down, and get shopping! xx