Hubby and I went grocery shopping today after planning our menu.   We only used money we had on gift cards so that meant we stayed within budget.   YEAH!!  

Since hubby's parents have moved to Stillwater we have been going to the Walmart Superstore after we are done at Aldi.  Aldi is still cheaper, but Walmart Superstore seems to be cheaper than Cub Foods.  

I spent the following to plan our menu for the next 8 days.  We feed between 5-6 people each night. We have a open door policy so we never know who will show up

Walmart 1/28 -   $11.12
Aldi - 1/30     -   $ 94.52
Walmart -           $ 42.61

Total -            $148.25 / 18.53 per day or 129.00 per week.  

I want to keep our household budget down to 125.00 a week, but have not been able to maintain that.   The price of food has increased and we continue to eat the same amount.   I still know I am doing better than I would if I didn't plan a menu each week.   Hopefully next week will be better.

Wishing you all a wonderful week!!!

January 30  - February 6,  2011 

Sunday - Chicken PotPie with Cheddar Biscuit Topping (Very good Add to Site)/ Salad/ French Silk Pie (very good add to site)

4 cups cubed cooked chicken
1 pkg (12oz) frozen broccoli and cheese sauce
1 can (10-3/4 oz) condensed cream of chicken and mushroom soup, undiluted
1 can (10-34 oz) condensed cream of Mushroom soup, undiluted
2 medium potatoes, cubed
3/4 cup chicken broth
2/3 cup sour cream
1/2 cup frozen peas
1/4 tsp pepper

Topping:
1-1/2 cups biscuit/baking mix
3/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
3/4 cup milk
3 Tbsp. butter, melted

In a dutch oven, combine the first nine ingredianents; bring to a boil.  Transfer to a greased 13 x 9 baking dish.

In a small bowl, combine the topping ingredients; spoon over top.  Bake, uncoevered, at 350 for 40-45 minutes or until  bubbly and topping is golden brown.  Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.   

Monday - Sausage Rice Casserole /Brocolli

Tuesday - Stir Fry and Rice

Wednesday - (Mom working late) - Easy Pot Roast

Thursday - Country Ham and Cheese Macaroni/ Vegetable

Country Ham and Cheese Macaroni Casserole

1 lb. smoked cooked ham, chopped
1 large onion, diced
1 lb. elbow macaroni
2 c. shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese (80z)
1 c. sour cream
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/4 c. margarine, melted
1 c dry, plain bread crumbs

January 23  - January 29,  2011 

We tried a number of new recipes last week.  The following were hits with the family and will be added to our online cookbook.

Baked Teriyaki Chicken (Add to Site) 
Hash Brown Casserole  (Add to Site)
Pioneer Woman's Chicken Spaghetti (Add to Site) 
Triple Chocolate Cake
Honey Mustard Chicken (Add to Site)
Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup (Add to Site)
WeekNight Raviolli Bake (Add to Site)

Sunday - Sausage Rice Casserole

Monday - Lasagna Roll Ups - Salad - Garlic Bread

Tuesday - Soup and Grilled Cheese Sandwich 

Wednesday - Jeff's Chicken Casserole - Green Beans

Layer cream of chicken soup
Diced uncooked chicken breast
Cr of Chicken Soup
Stovetop Stuffing

Bake at 350 for 1 hour. 

German Potato Pancakes

Thursday - Country Ham and Cheese Macaroni/ Vegetable

Country Ham and Cheese Macaroni Casserole

1 lb. smoked cooked ham, chopped
1 large onion, diced
1 lb. elbow macaroni
2 c. shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese (80z)
1 c. sour cream
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/4 c. margarine, melted
1 c dry, plain bread crumbs

Boil noodles according to package instructions along with diced onion, until noodles are done. Drain. Meanwhile, mix together rest of ingredients and add salt and pepper to taste. Mix in cooked noodles/onion and add to oven safe casserole dish (greased). Pour bread crumbs evenly over noodles and then pour melted butter over the crumbs.

Bake for 30-45 minutes at 375 degrees or until cheese is well melted.

Friday - Pizza Burgers - Curly Fries

Saturday - French Toast, Eggs and Bacon

Sunday - Roast Sticky Chicken (Crockpot) /Wild Rice/ Brocolli

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!!  Just remember that a bit of planning will sure make your week go smoother, giving you more free time and saving you money!  For more Menu Planning inspiration stop by and visit Laura at Organizing Junkie and participate in Menu Plan Monday.  Weekly over 400 bloggers share what they have on their menu. 

January 15th - January 22nd

Saturday - Baked Teriyaki Chicken (Add to Site)  served with Hash Brown Casserole  (Add to Site)& Broccoli

Sunday - Pioneer Woman's Chicken Spaghetti (Add to Site) / Salad  - Triple Chocolate Cake

1 pkg White Cake Mix
1/3 cup sugar
4 eggs
1 cup (8oz) sour cream
2/3 canola oil
2 Tbsp. Baking Cocoa
1/2 Cup Miniature Semisweet Chocolate Chips
1 cup Chocolate Frosting
2 Tbsp milk

In a large bowl. combine the cake mix, sugar, eggs, sour cream and oil.  Beat on low for 1 minute; beat on medium for 2 minutes.  Pour half of batter in to a large bowl.  Stir in cocoa until blended. Fold chocolate chips into white cake batter.

Spoon batter alternately into a greased and floured 10 inch fluted tube pan.  Bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.  Cool for 15 minutes before removing from pand to a wire rack to cool completely. 

In a small bowl, combine frosting and milk.  Spoon over top of cooled cake. 

Monday - Holiday - Out To Eat for Jen's Birthday

Tuesday -  Honey Mustard Chicken (Add to Site) /Cheesy Broccoli

2 lbs boneless/skinless chicken breasts

(1 T olive oil, 1/3 c Dijon mustard, 3 T honey,

1 t curry, 1 t dried tarragon)

Wednesday - WeekNight Raviolli Bake

Thursday - Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup

Friday - French Bread Pizza

Saturday - Sausage Rice Casserole

Other things I want to try: 

Creamy Ranch Pork Chops (193 cal), Ranch Quinoa (182 cal), Spinach, Salad

http://thematzats.blogspot.com/2011/01/pizza-burgers.html

Roast Sticky Chicken (Crockpot) /Wild Rice/ Brocolli

Just remember that a bit of planning will sure make your week go smoother, giving you more free time and saving you money!  For more Menu Planning inspiration stop by and visit Laura at Organizing Junkie and participate in Menu Plan Monday.  Weekly over 400 bloggers share what they have on their menu.