MENU PLAN FOR JAN 18th – JAN 24th

 

Hello….and thanks for stopping by.  Where did last week go?  Doesn’t it seem like we just did this?  This week is going to be pretty hectic so the meal prep time has to be quick.

Monday:   Sloppy Joes, Oven Baked Onion Rings, Coleslaw (the BEST coleslaw dressing recipe below)

Tuesday:  Salmon Patties, Mac & Cheese, Peas

Wednesday:  Taco Salads

Thursday:  Jiffy Jambalaya,(recipe below) Cornmeal Muffins, Tossed Salad

Friday:  Leftovers or Pizza

Saturday:  Breakfast

Sunday:  Paula Deen's Baked Spaghetti Tossed Salad, Garlic Toast

                                                                                                     

And now for some recipes:

Here’s a recipe that my family loves.   It’s been FOREVER since we’ve had this and it’s super quick, so it’s perfect for this week.  This recipe came from a cookbook called “Fix it Fast”. 

Jiffy Jambalaya 

1/2 cup chopped onion                     1/2 cup chopped green pepper

2 TBS cooking oil                                     3 drops hot sauce

1 (28 oz) can tomatoes diced                  1/2 c. water

1 (12 oz) can Spam, cubed                      1 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp dried thyme, crushed                  1/2 tsp oregano

1/4 tsp salt (can omit because the Spam has plenty of salt in it.

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1 1/2 cups quick rice

 

In a 3 quart saucepan cook onion & green pepper in hot oil till tender.  Stir in remaining ingredients except rice.  Bring to a boil.  Stir in rice.  Cover; simmer for 5 minutes.  Stir before serving.  Makes 6 servings.

                                                                                                     

Now for the coleslaw dressing:

Sweet and Sour Sauce

1/2 cup Miracle Whip                             1/2 cup evaporated milk

1/2 cup sugar                                         1/4 tsp salt

1/8 tsp pepper                                       1/4 cup vinegar

Combine all ingredients and pour over your shredded cabbage.  Refrigerate.  This makes THE BEST coleslaw!!  I usually double this recipe because we like our coleslaw with a lot of “juice”. 

That’s our plan for this week.  Want to see more great menu plans?  Head on over to Organizing Junkie.  There are hundreds of them! 

(PS  Since you’re here, you should take a minute to enter my Old El Paso "Tackle the Taste" giveaway .  Better hurry though, this giveaway ends 1/22)

 

MENU PLAN FOR JAN. 11th-JAN.17th

 

                    

Hello there!  Thanks for stopping by.  This week will be a YUMMY week for us.  Not to mention a fairly cheap week since most of the ingredients for these recipes are already in the pantry/freezer.  (Excuse me for a second while I make out my grocery list…Looks like all I need to buy is the lettuce for the salad, onion soup mix for the meatloaf, fresh green beans, a can of apple pie filling, a box of stuffing mix and a bag of egg noodles.)   I love grocery lists like that!     

MONDAY:  Lasagna, (doubling recipe and freezing 1) Salad, Garlic Toast

TUESDAY:  Low Fat Baked Chimichangas (like Chi-Chi’s), Mexican rice

WEDNESDAY:  Meatloaf, (doubling recipe and freezing 1) Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Rolls

THURSDAY:  Pancakes, Sausage links, Scrambled eggs

FRIDAY:  Chicken Satay, (YES honey, I will be grilling in the snow…lol…) Rice,  Sesame Green Beans

SATURDAY:   Pork Chops with Apples & Stuffing

SUNDAY:  Tuna Casserole, Garlic bread, Salad

Want some more great menu plans?  Head on over to Organizing Junkie's Menu Plan Monday.  There are HUNDRED’S of them! 

MENU PLAN FOR JAN. 4-10

This is what we have planned for this week. I am also planning to do some freezer cooking on Friday which includes Freezer French Toast Sticks, applesauce muffins, breakfast burritos, and extra beef & bean burritos. Anyone want to come over and help me?

MONDAY: BAKED CHICKEN, BROCCOLI, RICE

TUESDAY: HAM, CROCKPOT PINTO BEANS, AND CORNBREAD

WEDNESDAY: EASY CHICKEN FRIED STEAK, MASHED POTATOES, GREEN BEANS

THURSDAY: PIZZA

FRIDAY: BEEF & BEAN BURRITOS, SPANISH RICE  VEGETABLE SOUP, GRILLED HAM & CHEESE SANDWICHES

SATURDAY: LIVER & ONIONS, MASHED POTATOES, PEAS

SUNDAY: OLD FASHIONED CHICKEN & DUMPLINGS OR CHILI ?? Still haven’t made up my mind on this one.

For more great menu plans head on over to Organizing Junkie.

Menu Plan Monday (Restaurant meals without leaving home…)

 

…and without the big bill!!  (do you think the fella’s will leave me a tip? ) We already have most of the ingredients needed for these recipes, so that’s a BIG PLUS!!  Just need to pick up some fresh veggies and chicken wings. 

If you would like any of the recipes that don’t have a link, just leave me a message or shoot me an email and I’ll get back with you ASAP. 

Monday:  Lunchmeat sandwiches, veggie sticks, chips

Tuesday:  Frisch’s Big Boy Platter (recipe for copycat Big Boy’s in the “Top Secret Restaurant Recipes cookbook”)

Wednesday:  Hooter's Buffalo Chicken Wings for the fellas, and KFC Honey BBQ Wings for me, Hooter’s pasta salad (recipe from the Top Secret Restaurant Recipes cookbook.

Thursday: Cracker Barrel Chicken & Dumplings (I think this is the same recipe in the Top Secret cookbook)

Friday:   Chi Chi's Low-Fat Baked Chimichanga's, Rice Picante

Saturday:  Dixie Stampede's Cream Of Vegetable Soup,  Tuna Melts

Sunday:  KFC Extra Crispy Chicken, Mashed potatoes, baked beans, and KFC Mac & Cheese (recipes from the same cookbook mentioned above.)

Thanks for stopping by and head on over to Organizing Junkies Menu Plan Monday for more great meal plans!!

Menu Plan Monday Nov. 9 – 15th, (and something special for next week’s menu plan…)

 

I’m still here…lol…  I told you last week would be a hectic week.   I don’t think I was even on the computer last week.  Thank goodness it’s over. 

This week is looking pretty good.  (knocking on wood)  There are no appointments, no loooong work hours, no after school activities. 

Last week’s menu went as planned except for the Pork Chops with Creamy Mustard Sauce.  We didn’t get to make that so I’m rolling that over to this week’s menu plan.  And Friday’s and Saturday’s meals were swapped. 

Ok, enough rambling…Here’s the plan for this week:

Monday:  4-Ways and Chili Cheese Coney’s

Tuesday:  Pork Chops with Creamy Mustard Sauce,  Stove Top Stuffing, Green Beans & Rolls

Wednesday:  Oven Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Peas & Rolls

Thursday:  Pizza

Friday:  Scrambled eggs, home fries (note to self:  make extra for tomorrow’s supper), sausage patties, biscuits, and gravy.

Saturday:  Crockpot Great Northern Beans, Savory Mixed Greens, leftover home fries (made cheesy), Cornbread  

Sunday:  Chicken & Dumplin’s

Well, that’s our plan for this week.  For more great menu plans head on over to Organizing Junkie's Menu Plan Monday's

And here’s the sneak peek at next week’s menu.  It will be “Restaurant Week”.   We will “be going” to Hooter’s for their Buffalo Chicken Wings and Pasta Salad.  We will hit Frisch’s for their famous Big Boy Sandwiches.  We will also head over to the International House of Pancakes (IHOP) for their famous French Toast.   And maybe even “eat at” the Olive Garden.  Kentucky Fried Chicken sounds good also.  We’re going to do all of this without spending a fortune,  without leaving a tip & without leaving the house.  So make sure to come back next Monday to see the plan.

MENU PLAN MONDAY

 

                

Oh…wow…it’s Monday again?  Already?  Where did the week go?  This is going to be a hectic week so we’re trying to keep things as simple as possible.   

So…here goes:

SUNDAY:  PANERA'S CREAM CHEESE POTATO SOUP (we had this tonight…it was delicious)

MONDAY:  CHEESEBURGERS, FRENCH FRIES, PICKLE SPEARS

TUESDAY:  SALISBURY STEAK, MASHED POTATOES, CORN AND ROLLS

WEDNESDAY:  CHICKEN PATTY SANDWICHES, MAC & CHEESE, TROPICAL FRUIT SALAD

THURSDAY:  PORK CHOPS WITH CREAMY MUSTARD SAUCE, STOVE-TOP STUFFING, GREEN BEANS & ROLLS

FRIDAY:  CHILI

SATURDAY:  BREAKFAST OR LEFTOVERS IF THERE IS ANY

Thanks for dropping by.  To see more great menu plans, visit I'm an Organizing Junkie

OUR MENU-PLAN FOR OCT. 26-NOV.1 (with links and recipes)

We usually try to include one new recipe each week, but this week we will be trying 2. The Panera’s cream cheese potato soup and the Sunny Side Up Breakfast Casserole. Hopefully we’ll be adding these 2 recipes to “OUR FAMILY’S FAVORITE RECIPES” binder.

MONDAY:

PANERA'S CREAM CHEESE POTATO SOUP (I haven’t used this recipe before, but with all of the great reviews we’ll give it a try. I’ll come back tonight and let you know how everyone liked it.) LUNCHMEAT SANDWICHES

TUESDAY:

PAULA DEEN'S BAKED SPAGHETTI, GREEN BEANS, SALAD, GARLIC BREAD

WEDNESDAY:

SUNNY SIDE UP BREAKFAST CASSEROLE (recipe below)

THURSDAY:

MEATLOAF, MASHED POTATOES, PEAS, ROLL

FRIDAY:

CROCKPOT GREAT NORTHERN BEANS, (recipe below) HASHBROWN CASSEROLE, SAVORY MIXED GREENS, CORNBREAD

SATURDAY:

PIZZA

SUNDAY:

FFY(FEND FOR YOURSELF)

And here’s one of our family’s favorite recipes. This is super easy and DELICIOUS!! There is no need to soak the beans, just toss them in the crockpot.

CROCKPOT GREAT NORTHERN BEANS

1 LB. GREAT NORTHERN BEANS

HAM BONE

2 QUARTS WATER

1 1/2 TO 2 TSPS. HOT PEPPER FLAKES (1 1/2 IS PLENTY FOR ME BUT DH ALWAYS ADDS MORE WHEN HE MAKES THIS)

1 TBS BUTTER

SALT & PEPPER TO TASTE

Rinse and sort beans and put in crockpot. (I use a 6 quart crockpot) Add water to approx. 1” over beans. Add remaining ingredients. Cover and cook on high for 2 hours. Then turn crockpot to low and cook the rest of the day (approx 6-7 hours). When done, remove meat from ham bone and toss bone. To thicken the liquid, tilt the lid so that one side is open to let the steam escape. If it’s too thick, just add a little water.

I have added this recipe to Crock Pot Wednesday at Dining With Debbie.  Head on over there to check out some more great crockpot recipes.

SUNNY SIDE UP BREAKFAST CASSEROLE

(recipe from Bob Evan’s New Family Favorite’s Cookbook)

1 LB. ROLL BOB EVANS ORIGINAL RECIPE SAUSAGE

1 CUP CHEESE FLAVORED CROUTONS

2 CUPS SHREDDED CHEDDAR CHEESE, (DIVIDED)

3/4 CUP SOUR CREAM

1 TBS. DIJON STYLE MUSTARD

8 EGGS

PAPRIKA

Preheat oven to 375*. Over med. heat, brown sausage. Drain and set aside. Grease bottom of 7 X 11” baking dish. Cover bottom of dish with coarsely crumbled croutons and sprinkle with 1 cup of the shredded cheese. In a small bowl, combine sour cream and mustard. Place half of the sour cream mixture over the cheese and croutons in evenly spaced spoonfuls. Spread sausage over top. Make eight evenly spaced shallow indentations into the sausage (about 2” in diameter) Break each egg separately into a small dish and gently slide into each of the indentations. Spoon on remaining sour cream mixture between the eggs. Sprinkle casserole with the remaining cheese and paprika. Bake 20-25 minutes until eggs are lightly set. Serve with salsa if desired. Serves 8

Thanks for stopping by and to see some more delicious menu plans, visit I'm an Organizing Junkie.

HAVE YOU TAKEN THE CHALLENGE???

When I posted my last post about my menu plan and my challenge to you all, I didn't realize there were already several of these challenges out there:

Here's one that I found in the comments section over at MENU PLAN MONDAY: EATING DOWN THE FRIDGE

and I found this one after clicking on one of my commentors blogs and then clicking on one of her commentors blogs (I've been doing ALOT of clicking this morning LOL): FRIDGE AND PANTRY CLEANOUT

Darn it...There was another one, but for the life of me I can't find it now. Seems to be happening alot to me lately. I also saw a recipe for Dijon Cauliflower on someone's blog that I wanted to try and I can't find that one either. Guess I'll try googling it. (NOTE TO SELF: "SELF...START USING YOUR FAVORITES BUTTON...THAT'S WHAT IT'S THERE FOR GOOFY")

So...what are you waiting for...Take up one of these challenges...you'd be surprised (I sure was) how many dishes you can create with what you already have on hand, and how much $$$$ you could save by not going grocery shopping for a week or two or more.

MENU PLAN MONDAY: FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 9 & I AM CHALLENGING YOU!!!

After my last trip to Kroger, I wanted to reorganize everything in my fridge/freezer/pantry, and get my menu planned for the week of March 9 so I could participate inMENU PLAN MONDAY. Well, that's all I had planned on doing anyway. After rearranging everything, and taking inventory, I realized that we really don't need or have room for any more food right now. (Although, I did stock up on the Sargento cheese deal at Kroger yesterday) So I got out our menu binder and our MASTER MEAL PLAN and made out our menu plan for the rest of March using what we already had. We usually only plan a week at a time, so this was quite the challenge. (we will still have to buy the "have to have it fresh" items...milk,lettuce,fruit,etc.) This is what we came up with:

• MARCH 9: CHICKEN ENCHILADA'S, REFRIED BEANS, AND MEXICAN STYLE RICE (this meal was delicious!!!)
• MARCH 10: STUFFED PEPPERS AND MAC & CHEESE
• MARCH 11: CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS
• MARCH12: HOT DOGS & SAUERKRAUT, MASHED POTATOES
• MARCH13: SLOPPY JOE'S, COLE SLAW, FRENCH FRIES/ONION RINGS
• MARCH 14: SKILLET CABBAGE & SAUSAGE
• MARCH 15: MEATLOAF, GREEN BEANS & POTATOES IN A ROSEMARY BUTTER SAUCE, AND HOMEMADE ROLLS (REMIND ME TO POST ABOUT THE BEST ROLLS EVER!!!!) That's my menu plan for the week of March 9, that I had every intention of posting by Monday over at MENU PLAN MONDAY. Better late than never I always say :)
  
  Here's the plan for the rest of the month:
  
  
  
• MARCH 16: GREAT NORTHERN BEANS, CHEESY HASHBROWN CASSEROLE, COLLARD GREENS, AND CORN MUFFINS
• MARCH 17: BEEF STROGANOFF, GREEN BEANS, AND SOME MORE OF THOSE DELICIOUS HOMEMADE ROLLS
• MARCH 18: CHILI
• MARCH 19: GARLIC AND HERB BREADED FISH, BUTTERED POTATOES, PEAS, ROLLS
• MARCH 20: CHILI CHEESE DOGS, FRENCH FRIES
• MARCH 21: BREAKFAST OR COOK'S CHOICE
• MARCH 22: HUBBY'S GRILLIN' (weather permitting) HAMBURGER'S AND HOT DOG'S, POTATO SALAD, CHIPS
• MARCH 23: HAMBURGER HELPER NIGHT, GREEN BEANS, SALAD
• MARCH 24: VEAL PARMESAN OVER SPAGHETTI, SALAD, GARLIC BREAD
• MARCH 25: BROWN BEANS, FRIED POTATOES, COLLARD GREENS, CORNBREAD
• MARCH 26: BACON WRAPPED CHICKEN BREASTS IN A MUSHROOM SAUCE, MASHED POTATOES, GREEN BEANS
• MARCH 27: FISH SANDWICHES, HUSH PUPPIES, FRENCH FRIES/ONION RINGS, COLESLAW
• MARCH 28: BREAKFAST OR COOK'S CHOICE
• MARCH 29: HUBBY'S GRILLIN' (weather permitting), GRILLED CHICKEN, POTATO PACKETS
• MARCH 30: MEXICAN LASAGNA
• MARCH 31: STUFFED SHELLS, GREEN BEANS, SALAD, GARLIC BREAD

Well, there it is. What do ya' think? I challenge you to get out your meal planning binders and plan your menu for the rest of the month or get a plan together for the month of April your choice, using only what you already have on hand!!! (with the exception of the "fresh" items that you need. Are you up to the challenge?


Head over to MENU PLAN MONDAY for more wonderful menus!!

MENU IDEAS FOR A WEEK

As I posted in an earlier post, I have been working on my Master Meal Plans. I have also been trying to create fast/frugal/healthy menu plans and thought I'd share them with you. I am not a dietician and I'm not sure if any of these meet the RDA of vitamins and minerals that a body needs. After having said that, here are some ideas that I've been playing around with:

BREAKFAST:

• Scrambled Eggs, Cinnamon Toast, Orange Juice, Milk
• Coffeecake Muffins, orange slices, Milk
• French Toast sticks(from the freezer) with syrup, Apple Slices, Milk
• Dry Cereal, Orange Juice, Milk
• Pancakes, Juice, Milk
• Crockpot Western Omelet Casserole, Juice, Milk
• Hash Brown Sauage Bake, Juice, Milk

LUNCHES:

• Tuna Salad Sandwiches, Carrot Sticks, fruit, Milk
• Bean, Rice, and Cheese Burritos, Mixed Veggies, fruit, Milk
• Sloppy Joes or Meatloaf Sandwiches, Coleslaw, Fruit, Milk
• Lunchmeat Sandwiches, Pasta Salad, fruit, Milk
• Twice Baked potatoes or a Topped Baked Potato, Fruit Salad, Dinner Roll, Milk
• Tomato Soup, Grilled Cheese, Milk
• Soutwestern Chicken Wraps with salsa, Milk

DINNERS

• Meatloaf (make 2 and slice one into sandwich size slices and refrigerate/freeze for lunch), Mashed potatoes, Green Beans, Bread, Milk
• Oven -Fried Chicken(bake a couple extra pieces for chicken wraps for lunch), Mashed potatoes with gravy, Cream Style Corn, Bread or Roll, Milk
• Ham Slices, Scalloped Potatoes, Peas, Fruit, Milk
• Lasagna or Lasagna Rolls, Tossed Salad with Italian Dressing, Fruit, Garlic Bread, Milk
• Tuna Casserole, Dill Pickle Spears, Fruit, Milk
• Chicken Fried Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Fruit Slices, Milk
• No Peek Casserole, Rice or Egg Noodles, Milk

SNACKS:

• Pretzels
• Cheese and Crackers
• Peanut Butter Crackers
• Yogurt
• Fruit and Cheese
• Trail Mix
• Apple Slices with Peanut Butter or Caramel Dip
• Carrot and Celery Sticks with Ranch Dip

So, what do ya think? (yes, we drink ALOT of milk lol) Does it look healthy/fast/frugal? I know there are lots of frugal meals out there, so what are some of your favorite frugal menu ideas?