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Hi Reader

This week I’m keeping things very simple: before we all start piling our trolleys high with Christmas food, it’s time for a brutally honest Kitchen Audit plus handy recipes to make your xmas prep easier this week.

If you’re anything like me, you think you know what’s in your cupboards and freezer. You probably don’t. Most of us are sitting on ingredients we’ve forgotten about, duplicates we never meant to buy, and spices that last saw daylight in 2019. So before you spend a penny on Christmas food, take ten minutes and do this:

1. The 10-Minute Cupboard Sweep

Pull out the things you think are on hand for Christmas:

• Spices (nutmeg, cinnamon, mixed spice)
• Sugars and baking bits
• Stock cubes, gravy granules
• Cranberry sauce, chutneys
• Foil, baking paper, roasting bags

Check what’s actually there. Check dates. And check if you already have three half-empty jars of cinnamon—because that’s almost a Christmas tradition in itself.

This quick scan will save you money and stop you doubling up when the shops get busy.

2. The “Christmas Essentials People Forget” List

There are a few things nearly everyone runs out of right when they need them:

• Butter (you’ll need more than you think)
• Cream (ditto)
• Foil + baking parchment
• Sugar (light brown + caster)
• Vanilla extract
• Spare veg oil
• Gravy granules or stock
• Salt — especially if you brine your turkey

These are safe to buy now. Prices tend to jump mid-December, and nobody wants to battle the supermarket aisles on Christmas Eve for a box of butter.

3. Your Freezer: Make Space + Find Hidden Treasure

If you're planning Christmas mains, desserts, party food or leftovers, you need freezer room.

A quick tidy usually reveals:

• Mystery tubs from spring (bin them, guilt-free).
• Veg you can use up this week.
• Frozen bread perfect for stuffing.
• Leftover meals that will keep you fed while you're prepping for Christmas.

Eat what you can this week to make space for the things you actually need later in the month.

4. Store-Cupboard “Use Me Up” Recipes

If you uncover a few random bits during your audit, turn them into quick, easy meals so they’re not cluttering up your Christmas kitchen.

Try these simple ideas:

• ​A pasta dish using chopped tomatoes, spices, and any veg that needs using.
• ​A simple curry from tinned chickpeas or lentils.​
• Soups using up frozen veg or ageing stock cubes.
• ​Tuna Fishcakes - a simple store-cupboard recipe.

(If you want me to recommend specific recipes from The Real Meal Deal based on what you find — just hit reply and tell me what’s in your cupboard. I actually love that sort of challenge.)

That’s your Christmas Kitchen Audit done.

Ten minutes now saves money, reduces waste, and stops the Christmas Eve panic when you realise you used the last of the baking parchment on Tuesday.

Next week: Low-Effort, High-Impact Christmas Prep You Can Do in Advance — including the things you should freeze ahead and the things you absolutely shouldn’t.

And if you missed last week’s mince pies recipe, here it is again — because many of you are already baking.

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Veggie Pasta Bake Perfect for leftovers including chopped tomatoes and veggie bits. Get the Recipe

Eat One Freeze One

Chickpea and Lentil Curry A great store-cupboard staple! Get the Recipe

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Tuna Fishcakes These crisp, golden tuna fish cakes are made with canned tuna and mashed potato for a quick, budget-friendly dinner you can make from store-cupboard ingredients. Get the Recipe

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Mince Pies! Because it's Christmas & loads of you are baking these right now! Get the Recipe

Have a good week — and happy auditing.

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