As previously discussed everyone in my office was on a diet in January and therefore extolling the virtues of the Protein pack from the butchers. I was dubious to say the least as I’m not one for a premade burger or the likes. However as it’s February now I can officially stop being contrary and have a go myself, as in fairness, it does seem like good value and I thought it would be a good challenge for me.

Though I live near loads of hipster places, (and kinda look like a chubby hipster there at the whole foods market), I am in my heart, a Dublin oulwan so I took a trip to visit to Troy’s butchers on Moore St again. Turns out they have a good protein pack €30 which basically has enough meat in it for me and The Chap for 2-3 weeks. Though me being me I got greedy and also bought a pork shoulder which looked massive(I mean that in the literal and figurative Dublin sense) for €10.

So for €40 here’s what I’m working with (pork shoulder not pictured because I ran out of space):

• 1lb turkey sausages
• 4 turkey burgers*
• 4 turkey steaks*
• 2 x striploin steaks
• 1lb lean steak mince
• 6 chicken fillets*
• said pork shoulder*

I now have plans afoot! This went straight into the freezer, I split the chicken into 2 bags of 3 to use over the coming weeks. While making way in my freezer I came across a decent portion of beef shin stew from last week, which I shall re-invent. So this week coming I’ve planned on 5 dinners as we shall be dining out one of the evenings. Sunday being the day for pulled pork as we’ll be out and about and it can sit happily in the slow cooker for several hours.

What’s for dinner:

• Pulled pork buns with apple and celery slaw
• Beef shin cottage pie – beef shin stew, topped with mashed parsnip and potato and baked until golden and bubbly
• Spaghetti & meatballs – Turkey burger meatballs in a roast vegetable & tomato sauce
• Thai green curry – turkey steaks, diced in a that green curry sauce, made simply from a jar of paste and coconut milk, served with noodles
• Enchiladas and guacamole salad

* These are the things getting used this week, everything else can sit happily in your freezer

Lunches:

Entirely leftovers this week

The all important list:

(In addition to the usual staples/spices)

• Buns
• Tortilla wraps
• Tins tomatoes
• Coconut milk
• Green curry paste
• Noodles/Rice
• Grated mozzarella/cheddar
• Aubergine
• Courgette
• Potatoes
• Parsnips
• Celery
• Onions, red onions
• Garlic
• Peppers
• Cherry tomatoes
• Avocados x 2 (I usually buy the unripe ones and leave them beside my bananas)
• Apples

So there it is; go and try one of those protein packs all the kids are talking about and let’s have a week of delicious (mostly healthy) meals!