January 19, 2009

• Menu Planning Tutorial

  How to Prepare for Grocery Shopping…..

  1.  Complete a basic inventory of meat/protein on hand.   I take a notebook and write down what is in my upright freezer.   This week we have:

  1 pkg bacon
  steak – 4 meals
  Flounder – 1 meal
  Rotisserie Chicken – 2
  Country Ribs – 2 pks
  Kielbasa – 1
  Chicken Breasts – 2 bags
  Pork Chops – 3 chops
  Hamburger (raw) – 1#
  Hamburger (cooked) – 1#
  Country Style Ribs – 1
  Whole Chicken – 1
  Meatballs – 1

  Fries – 2 bags

  2.  Based on the meat on hand I plan my meals for the 2 weeks.  When planning my meals I look at my calendar for the next two weeks and see how my work schedule will effect my meals.   Some nights will require very quick meals and some will need to be prepared in the morning or hubby will need to cook since I will be working late. 

  OUR MENU FOR 1/20 – 2/1/09

  Mon – 19 – Breakfast:  French Toast, Eggs and Bacon 
  Tues – 20 – hubby home- Sausage Lentil Soup – Carry over from last week
  Sausage Lentil Soup

  • 1 lb. smoked sausage, sliced
  • 1 lb. (about 2 cups) dried lentils, rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup ham, diced
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 small green pepper, chopped
  • 1 medium carrot, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 Tsp thyme
  • 1/4 Tsp pepper
  • 1/4 Tsp cumin
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 cans (14.5 oz. each) beef broth
  • 2 cans (14.5 oz. each) chicken broth
  • 2 cups spinach, coarsely chopped

  Combine all ingredients except for the spinach in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for about 6 hours or until lentils are tender. Add spinach and cover. Let stand 5-10 minutes or until spinach wilts. Remove and discard bay leaf.
  
  Wed – 21 – working late- Spaghetti and Meatballs – garlic Toast 
  Thurs-evening meeting 6-8 – Versatile Slow-Cooker Chili  - Freeze some leftover for Baked potato Bar Night
  Friday – Family Night -mom in Duluth – Frozen Pizza
  Saturday -24 -  Baked Ham – Easy Mac and Cheese (Family Favorites 121) – Green Beans
  Sunday -25 – Garlic -Lemon Chicken  (Family Favorites 134) – Uncle Bens Rice – Carrots – Fench Silk Pie
  Mon – MPTP – LEFTOVERS
  Tues – Easy Chicken Parmesan over Angel Hair Pasta – Peas
  Wednesday – Grilled Cheese and Soup
  Thursday – Baked Potato Bar – Chilli/ Broc and Cheese
  Friday – BBQ Pork Sandwiches / Fries  – Carry over from last week
  Saturday 31 – Winterland Dinner and Dance at Church
  Sunday – 1 – Rotisserie Chicken (crockpot) – Cheese Oven Fries (Family Favorites 164) – Gr. Beans

  3.  Next I take the meat on hand and plan the meals I could make with each item.  This list was used to complete the menu in #2.   First I list the day I need meals and if I will cook or not.  Then I go back and add when we will eat. 

  1 pkg bacon – Breakfast
  steak – 4 meals
  Flounder – 1 meal
  Rotisserie Chicken – 2
  Country Ribs – 2 pks – BBQ Pork Sandwiches
  Kielbasa – 1 – Sausage Lentil Soup
  Chicken Breasts – 2 bags 1. Garlic Lemon Chicken 2. Easy Chicken Parmesan
  Pork Chops – 3 chops
  Hamburger (raw) – 1#
  Hamburger (cooked) – 1# – Chili
  Country Style Ribs – 1
  Whole Chicken – 1 -Rotis Chicken – Mac and Cheese
  Meatballs – 1 – Spaghetti

  Fries – 2 bags – Using 1

  4.  My last step is to go through each recipe and figure out what ingredients I will need to purchase and add those items to my shopping list.

  5.  Budget for Grocery Shopping – Cash -$150 + 50 Festival Gift Card = $200 for the week.  I try to make do with only 160.00 for the two weeks.  I will let you know how well I do!!  Wish me luck!! 

  Next week:Make this for hubby………..

  http://www.recipezaar.com/Banana-Cream-Pie-8143

  • 12:55 pm
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