Ingredient Stacking

Our main blog this fortnight discussed a meal planning hack: ingredient stacking. Ingredient stacking is all about mindfully planning and purchasing to include as many ingredients in as many different meals as possible. But ingredient stacking doesn't mean you have to eat the same thing every night, oh no. This 5-day meal plan is kid-friendly, interesting and delicious, even when most meals have 4 of the same ingredients as the others. Check it out below to get inspired for next week.

Five Day Meal Plan

Day One | Chicken Tacos

*Chicken breast, sliced
*Corn tortillas, heated up
*Cabbage in thin slices
*Carrot, in thin slices or grated
*Onion, finely chopped
*Fresh tomatoes, roughly chopped
*Cheese, grated
Coriander Lime
*Sour cream, optional 

Day Two | Pork Cabbage Rolls
*Cabbage, whole leaves
*Pork mince
Rice
*Onion
*Garlic
Tomato sauce
Chicken or vegetable broth
Salt and pepper
Paprika
Parsley
*Sour cream (optional topping) 

Day Three | Chicken Schnitzels
*Chicken breast or chicken cutlets
Flour
Eggs
Breadcrumbs
Salt and pepper
Butter or oil for frying
Parsley (optional garnish)

You can create better stacking here by including a side salad with onion, carrot, tomato, and cabbage, plus mash or chips for the potato. You can also turn this into a chicken parmy and further ingredient stack with canned tomatoes and bacon. 

Day Four | Jacket Potatoes with Pork Mince
Potatoes
*Pork Mince
*Onion
*Garlic
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
*Cheese, grated (optional topping)
*Sour cream (optional topping) 

Day Five | Pork Mince Nachos
*Pork mince
*Corn tortillas, cut in triangles and fried or baked
 *Cheese, grated
*Onion
Canned and fresh tomato
Salsa
Jalapeños (optional)
Sour cream (optional)

As you can see, this is a pretty easy to understand and intuitive “hack”. You probably do this already without thinking about it, but being aware and more mindful of it can reduce impulse purchasing and food waste. Do you ingredient stack?