Menu for Week of November 3 through November 9, 2012

[Charmie777]

Hello menu pals!!! How is everyone? Have you been sticking to your menu plans? I've been a little hit and miss, but it was a hectic week last week. But both of my big cooking events went really well. Got lots of mmmm's and ahhhhh's.
I'm not quite done with my menu yet, but I thought I'd start the thread for you!!!

Share your menus!!!

[CheapThrills]

Well, here I am, fwiw. Hey, hi, ho, and all! It's a bit of a crazy week, so I have some quick-fixers in there. Here's my menu PLAN for the upcoming week:

Sunday: BBQ sliced leftover pork (1.88/#) sandwiches, fries (sale w/coupon), slaw, pork and beans (.19).

Monday: Jumbo hot dogs (.99) on buns, tortilla chips (1.10), carrot sticks.

Tuesday: Election Day is usually soup and biscuits. This year soup will be a lovely melange of vegetables, roasted and pureed to creamy perfection. So basically, leftovers made into creamy soup. Maybe with a little ham? Cheese on the biscuits.

Wednesday: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (free), peas and carrots (.85), pasta with garlic and herbs.

Thursday: Baked crispy pollock (1.88/#), homemade mac and cheese, green salads.

Friday: Cheesy Ham and Potato Casserole (cheap!) from the freezer, salads.

Saturday: Boneless turkey breast (Aldi) stuffed w/spinach and cheese, rice, squash. There will be leftovers.

I'm not keeping track of every little cost in my meals these days, but I'm guessing these meals for four will cost me less than $25.00 total. What I am doing is making sure I stay within my food budget. We had a few weeks of eating out, couple pizza nights per week, and such. I've done a full freezer inventory, and my pantries overfloweth, which at this point is a very good thing. This state of full-on pantry cooking and belt-tightening has arrived early this year; it's usually here in January.

[SarasotaCook]

I finished yesterday; but I have a feeling it will get mixed up today. I am not sure of my work schedule, so I may have to adjust; but, hopefully I will get most done. Last week, I had to improvise a bit, so a couple of dinners will get carried over. Unexpected work and 'STUFF.'
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TONIGHT ... On the grill since it is so nice. Tilapia w/fresh grilled tomato basil topping; corn on the cob; and potato slices w/garlic oil.
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SUN ...
Soup Day: Cream of chicken soup (own recipe) / No Bread: have enough
Me: Pork cube steak w/gravy; sauteed cabbage and bacon with onion; roasted beets
Lady #4: My cook ahead day. All the food is delivered Mon am.
- Crock pot beef short ribs with carrots, onions, and parsnip sauce; roasted potatoes and mushrooms
- Hearty cassoulet; salad
- Spinach manicotti with a sausage meat sauce
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MON ...
Ladies #1 and #2: Chicken goulash w/smoky bacon (new recipe); salad
Dinner: Soup from Sun; white bean crostini with an olive tapenade
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TUES ... Leftovers (I have pork, soup, crostini)
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WED ...
Lady #1: Pumpkin pasta; kale salad (deciding on recipes)
Lady #2: Stuffed acorn squash with a maple sausage stuffing; sauteed cabbage with bacon and onion; and a roasted stuffed tomato
Me: Baked stuffed potato with a bacon and mushroom sauce; salad
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THURS ... Out
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FRI ...
Ladies #1 and #2: Game/Card Night - TBD
Me: Beer burgers; french onion soup; german potato salad
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Breakfast - Yogurt, fruit, or cottage cheese
Lunch - Leftovers or soup if any
And, don't forget to clean out that pantry, fridge and freezer ... there is a meal waiting to be made

HAPPY COOKING EVERYONE!

[Charmie777]

CheapThrills wrote:
Well, here I am, fwiw. Hey, hi, ho, and all! It's a bit of a crazy week, so I have some quick-fixers in there. Here's my menu PLAN for the upcoming week:

Sunday: BBQ sliced leftover pork (1.88/#) sandwiches, fries (sale w/coupon), slaw, pork and beans (.19).

Monday: Jumbo hot dogs (.99) on buns, tortilla chips (1.10), carrot sticks.

Tuesday: Election Day is usually soup and biscuits. This year soup will be a lovely melange of vegetables, roasted and pureed to creamy perfection. So basically, leftovers made into creamy soup. Maybe with a little ham? Cheese on the biscuits.

Wednesday: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (free), peas and carrots (.85), pasta with garlic and herbs.

Thursday: Baked crispy pollock (1.88/#), homemade mac and cheese, green salads.

Friday: Cheesy Ham and Potato Casserole (cheap!) from the freezer, salads.

Saturday: Boneless turkey breast (Aldi) stuffed w/spinach and cheese, rice, squash. There will be leftovers.

I'm not keeping track of every little cost in my meals these days, but I'm guessing these meals for four will cost me less than $25.00 total. What I am doing is making sure I stay within my food budget. We had a few weeks of eating out, couple pizza nights per week, and such. I've done a full freezer inventory, and my pantries overfloweth, which at this point is a very good thing. This state of full-on pantry cooking and belt-tightening has arrived early this year; it's usually here in January.

This is awesome, CT! I loved seeing the prices. I can compare with our costs here!

[Charmie777]

SarasotaCook wrote:
I finished yesterday; but I have a feeling it will get mixed up today. I am not sure of my work schedule, so I may have to adjust; but, hopefully I will get most done. Last week, I had to improvise a bit, so a couple of dinners will get carried over. Unexpected work and 'STUFF.'
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TONIGHT ... On the grill since it is so nice. Tilapia w/fresh grilled tomato basil topping; corn on the cob; and potato slices w/garlic oil.
----------
SUN ...
Soup Day: Cream of chicken soup (own recipe) / No Bread: have enough
Me: Pork cube steak w/gravy; sauteed cabbage and bacon with onion; roasted beets
Lady #4: My cook ahead day. All the food is delivered Mon am.
- Crock pot beef short ribs with carrots, onions, and parsnip sauce; roasted potatoes and mushrooms
- Hearty cassoulet; salad
- Spinach manicotti with a sausage meat sauce
----------
MON ...
Ladies #1 and #2: Chicken goulash w/smoky bacon (new recipe); salad
Dinner: Soup from Sun; white bean crostini with an olive tapenade
----------
TUES ... Leftovers (I have pork, soup, crostini)
----------
WED ...
Lady #1: Pumpkin pasta; kale salad (deciding on recipes)
Lady #2: Stuffed acorn squash with a maple sausage stuffing; sauteed cabbage with bacon and onion; and a roasted stuffed tomato
Me: Baked stuffed potato with a bacon and mushroom sauce; salad
----------
THURS ... Out
----------
FRI ...
Ladies #1 and #2: Game/Card Night - TBD
Me: Beer burgers; french onion soup; german potato salad
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Breakfast - Yogurt, fruit, or cottage cheese
Lunch - Leftovers or soup if any
And, don't forget to clean out that pantry, fridge and freezer ... there is a meal waiting to be made

HAPPY COOKING EVERYONE!

Chicken goulash sounds interesting!

[SarasotaCook]

CT, love seeing the prices too. That is an awesome menu. I try to do the 25 challenge my self as often as possible. By basically using pantry and freezer items. Other than some fresh greens, tomato, milk, eggs, cheese, etc; I spent 50 this week; but I had to stock up on cat food for 3, also, laundry and dishwasher detergent, tp, etc. But less than 25 in food.

Good for you. It really makes you get creative and use what you have on hand.

A little leftover chicken, beans, rice, corn, salsa, etc and you can make a fantastic stir fry for dinner.

Like you said, really taking an inventory of the pantry and freezer really helps. And I love your soup. Cleaning out frozen and fresh veggies is a great way to make soup.

I'm doing my creamy chicken soup which is a mix of frozen and fresh leftovers too.
-------------------------------
C - you know the basic goulash. Elbows, tomatoes, some onions, celery, maybe mushrooms, ground beef. Toss, top with cheese and bake ... That is my classic version
Well, the chicken uses ground chicken, smoky/hickory bacon, peppers, onions, fire roasted tomatoes, cumin, and rather than cheddar either a smoky cheddar or smoky gruyere.
The first year, I had smoked some red peppers on my smoker with something else I cooked, so I added those which was really good in the goulash.

[ellie_]

Saturday: hotdogs, chips and fruit
Sunday: Bev's Macaroni and Cheese
Monday:Sage-Rubbed Pork Chops With Warm Apple Slaw
Tuesday: out with friends
Wednesday: everyone on their own
Thursday: something from the freezer
Friday: Sauteed Fish With Thai Coriander-Chili Sauce

[Charmie777]

ellie_ wrote:
Saturday: hotdogs, chips and fruit
Sunday: Bev's Macaroni and Cheese
Monday: Sauteed Fish With Thai Coriander-Chili Sauce
Tuesday: out with friends
Wednesday: everyone on their own
Thursday: something from the freezer
Friday: fish/salad

I'm doing Bev's Macaroni and Cheese today too!

[Charmie777]

Ooops forgot to post my menu!!! Here it is!

Saturday - just a couple of us home, so we did pizza

Sunday - Grilled Hot Links, Bev's Macaroni and Cheese, salad

Monday - Baked Tacos (roughly followed), beans and rice

Tuesday - ELECTION DAY! Crock Pot Chicken W/ Black Beans and Cream Cheese...yum! over rice with tortillas

Wednesday - TO GO MEAL - B L T Sandwiches Supreme

Thursday - Monterey Jack Chicken, Bursting With Flavor with mashed potatoes and green beans

Friday - Event at church, so we'll eat before or after

[SarasotaCook]

Love the BLT's, anyway you make them, they are so good anytime of the year. That sounds really good.

[ratherbeswimmin']

Hey all. Last week was stinkin' busy. Am looking forward to a little slow down and will be glad when the election is OVER.

Here is the plan, Mon-Fri:
Monday: after JV football game--Southwest Turkey Melt, chips, hot sauce, and salad

Tuesday: Apple and Beef Stew, crusty bread, and salad

Wednesday: Herb-Roasted Pork Tenderloin, Collard Greens - It's Good for You!, steamed carrots, and Pumpkin Cream Cheese Pie

Thursday: Baked Chicken Nuggets, steamed broccoli, baked sweet potato, salad

Friday: Eat Out after HS football game; sip on Apple Tea while we wait up for the kids

Work Lunches: Slow Cooked Corn Chowder w/ oyster crackers and Little Tyke Pizzas

Breakfast: Chili Jack Oven Omelet

Snacks: Frosted Peanut Butter Brownies

[Charmie777]

ratherbeswimmin' wrote:
Hey all. Last week was stinkin' busy. Am looking forward to a little slow down and will be glad when the election is OVER.

Here is the plan, Mon-Fri:
Monday: after JV football game--Southwest Turkey Melt, chips, hot sauce, and salad

Tuesday: Apple and Beef Stew, crusty bread, and salad

Wednesday: Herb-Roasted Pork Tenderloin, Collard Greens - It's Good for You!, steamed carrots, and Pumpkin Cream Cheese Pie

Thursday: Baked Chicken Nuggets, steamed broccoli, baked sweet potato, salad

Friday: Eat Out after HS football game; sip on Apple Tea while we wait up for the kids

Work Lunches: Slow Cooked Corn Chowder w/ oyster crackers and Little Tyke Pizzas

Breakfast: Chili Jack Oven Omelet

Snacks: Frosted Peanut Butter Brownies

Southwest Turkey Melt sounds like a good to go meal for my family!

[ellie_]

ratherbeswimmin' wrote:
Hey all. Last week was stinkin' busy. Am looking forward to a little slow down and will be glad when the election is OVER.

Here is the plan, Mon-Fri:
Monday: after JV football game--Southwest Turkey Melt, chips, hot sauce, and salad

Tuesday: Apple and Beef Stew, crusty bread, and salad

Wednesday: Herb-Roasted Pork Tenderloin, Collard Greens - It's Good for You!, steamed carrots, and Pumpkin Cream Cheese Pie

Thursday: Baked Chicken Nuggets, steamed broccoli, baked sweet potato, salad

Friday: Eat Out after HS football game; sip on Apple Tea while we wait up for the kids

Work Lunches: Slow Cooked Corn Chowder w/ oyster crackers and Little Tyke Pizzas

Breakfast: Chili Jack Oven Omelet

Snacks: Frosted Peanut Butter Brownies

printed the corn chowder recipe for maybe this week or next week.

[2ChinaGirls]

Wow! Got some great new recipes to try. Here's my menu. Absolutely CRAZY week ahead...that's what happens when you have a 12 DD who's a jock! She is also responsible for this weeks menu! I let her pick the dinners this week.

Sunday: Grilled hangar steak marinated in Alton Brown Marinade for Beef. DH discovered that our Costco now carries this family favorite cut of beef. Bought a huge package of it recently, made up a big batch of marinade and put three meals worth of steak in the freezer! Served with mashed potatoes and Mustard and Mayonnaise Glazed Asparagus (Grilled) using zucchini instead of asparagus.

Monday (tonight): DD has basketball practice from 4-6. Spanikopita (spinach, sauteed onion, garlic and spices, feta and a little sour cream). Carrots and bell pepper with homemade (sorta...use Penzeys buttermilk ranch spice mix) ranch dressing.

Tuesday: First basketball game of the season! DD (at almost 5' is the starting shooting guard) and Tae Kwon Do for younger DD. Chicken Tortilla Soup II turned veggie by simply leaving out the chicken and adding a can of pinto beans and upping the carrots, onion and celery served with a green salad.

Wednesday: Soccer practice from 4-6 and TKD for DD#2. Homemade bread and a grilled chicken caesar salad. I use a salad dressing based on one from Michael Chiarello.

Thursday: Basketball game at 3:45 and a soccer game at 7!!! DD#1 is going to be hungry and tired. Plus DH is having some minor surgery so it's got to be easy. Pasta with a red sauce using San Marzano tomatoes, onion, anchovies and some hot italian sausage, another green salad. I'll make the sauce early and let it cook, then quick cool so I only need to reheat and boil pasta at dinner time.

Friday: Soccer practice 4-6 and TKD 6:15-7:30. Usually eat out or take 'n' bake pizza...a local place makes a great one with ranch sauce, bacon, chicken, spinach and red onion.

Saturday: I work so it's up to DH. Luckily only one soccer game and it's local.

Sunday: I'll figure it out in the morning, !

[Charmie777]

2ChinaGirls wrote:
Wow! Got some great new recipes to try. Here's my menu. Absolutely CRAZY week ahead...that's what happens when you have a 12 DD who's a jock! She is also responsible for this weeks menu! I let her pick the dinners this week.

Sunday: Grilled hangar steak marinated in Alton Brown Marinade for Beef. DH discovered that our Costco now carries this family favorite cut of beef. Bought a huge package of it recently, made up a big batch of marinade and put three meals worth of steak in the freezer! Served with mashed potatoes and Mustard and Mayonnaise Glazed Asparagus (Grilled) using zucchini instead of asparagus.

Monday (tonight): DD has basketball practice from 4-6. Spanikopita (spinach, sauteed onion, garlic and spices, feta and a little sour cream). Carrots and bell pepper with homemade (sorta...use Penzeys buttermilk ranch spice mix) ranch dressing.

Tuesday: First basketball game of the season! DD (at almost 5' is the starting shooting guard) and Tae Kwon Do for younger DD. Chicken Tortilla Soup II turned veggie by simply leaving out the chicken and adding a can of pinto beans and upping the carrots, onion and celery served with a green salad.

Wednesday: Soccer practice from 4-6 and TKD for DD#2. Homemade bread and a grilled chicken caesar salad. I use a salad dressing based on one from Michael Chiarello.

Thursday: Basketball game at 3:45 and a soccer game at 7!!! DD#1 is going to be hungry and tired. Plus DH is having some minor surgery so it's got to be easy. Pasta with a red sauce using San Marzano tomatoes, onion, anchovies and some hot italian sausage, another green salad. I'll make the sauce early and let it cook, then quick cool so I only need to reheat and boil pasta at dinner time.

Friday: Soccer practice 4-6 and TKD 6:15-7:30. Usually eat out or take 'n' bake pizza...a local place makes a great one with ranch sauce, bacon, chicken, spinach and red onion.

Saturday: I work so it's up to DH. Luckily only one soccer game and it's local.

Sunday: I'll figure it out in the morning, !

Wow! You are crazy busy!!! I got anxiety just reading your schedule!