Menu 9/4-9/10

This week is so awesome. I have everything I need except maybe a pack of hamburger buns. Of course I have the regular milk and bread on my list but this week I’m looking for deals to spend my money on. I love weeks like this…I think I’m on a role!

Weekly Menu

Sunday 9/4
Sloppy Joes

Monday 9/5 – plan a cookout it is Labor Day(have everyone bring their meat for the grill and a side or dessert)
Hamburgers

Tuesday 9/6
Waffles & Sausage (remember breakfast each week saves your budget)

Wednesday 9/7
Cheeseburger Mac

Thursday 9/8
Italian Roast & Potatoes

Friday 9/9
Fried Rice (use left over roast)

Saturday 9/10
Chicken Tenders

This week is a simple menu. Remember having a change in schedules, like kids not being in school or a holiday can really turn you routine up side down. So make it simple and not worry yourself. If you have some extra time make a special dessert or cooka meal and freeze it for a crazy day you can't get it all done.

8/28-9/3/11 Weekly Menu

I had planned on getting this on here at 6:30 am but well life happens and it just didn’t happen…no need for excuses.

So I picked my menu from my pantry. I hardly have any items to get from the grocery store. This week would be a good week for me to use my budget for groceries to stock up on pantry and freezer items. I will only need to get the following from the store this week:

Bread (weekly staple)
Milk (weekly staple)
Sour Cream (menu needed)
Butter (monthly staple)

I haven't had time to review my sales ads so I don't know what esle I will be adding...hopefully some great deals.

It really helps to stock up when things are on sale. I figure I will spend no more that $10 at the store this week unless I find some great deals. Try to utilize what you have on hand and rotate your inventory so you don’t end up with out of date items. Remember the rule of thumb is that it will be on sale every 6 week on the average. So just plan for no more than 2 months unless you have the room.

Weekly Menu

Sunday 8/28
Potato Soup

Monday 8/29
Panini Burgers

Tuesday 8/30
Tuna Casserole

Wednesday 8/31
Omelets & Toast

Thursday 9/1
Pizza or Calzones

Friday 9/2
Crock Pot Chicken & Veggies

Saturday 9/3
Chicken Parmesan Spaghetti

Blueberry Topped Pancakes

So tonight is our breakfast night on the menu. It's always fun for the family to have breakfast at dinner. Pancakes and Turkey Bacon was what I had planned and then I happen to think I had peaches and blueberries and well as you can see the blueberries won. So I decided to make a compote for the top and Cameron requested whipped cream and I just happen to have some cool whip in the fridge that was still good (I always have one in the freezer just in case I need it and all I have to do is thaw it). As you can see the pancakes turned out yummy and we are all stuffed.

Blueberry Compote

1 bag of frozen blueberries (you can use fresh 1 pint)
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1 tbsp cornstarch

Just put blueberries, sugar and water in a pan on high and bring to a boil. Let boil for a few minutes and then mix your cornstarch with a small amount of water until blended and add to pot while stirring. Put on simmer until ready to serve if you want you let cool and place in fridge.

This works for all types of fruits and makes a quick topping at a moments notice. You may want to keep a pound cake in the freezer along with some fruit or berries for a quick company dessert or a last minute family snack. Hope you enjoy!

Weekly Menu 8/21-27/11

This week is going to be easy on me. As usual I have some pre-made items that will save me some time. I love making double batches and freezing so that I have quick access with a homemade flavor when I need it. I’m really making life easy for myself this week and my grocery bill just basically will be:

milk
bread
dry or canned red beans
hot dog buns
squash (my garden quit on this item)

I really like to keep my pantry stocked with grab items and so I never run out of stuff like ketchup. I’ll try to come up with a staple pantry and hopefully it will help you. If you do a monthly pantry budget and a weekly budget you will find your grocery budget will go a lot further. I hope you enjoy this week’s menu and it makes your life easier. I’d love to hear from you, feel free to comment below.


Weekly Menu

Sunday 8/21
Hot Dogs
Baked Beans

Monday 8/22
Chili Cheese Fries (left over chili from freezer, made before click on link below)
http://tennesseefamily.blogspot.com/2010/01/spicy-black-bean-chili.html

Tuesday 8/23
Tacos
Spanish Rice

Wednesday 8/24
Red Beans and Rice with Smoked Sausage (made this before, click on link below to my livestrong recipe box)
http://www.livestrong.com/recipes/red-beans-rice-w-cajun-sausage/

Thursday 8/25
Leftovers or Soup and Sandwich

Friday 8/26
Breakfast Sandwiches (remember breakfast for 1 dinner a week will save on your grocery bill)

Saturday 8/27
Chicken Squash Pasta (made this before, click on link below)
http://tennesseefamily.blogspot.com/2011/07/yummy-chicken-squash-pasta.html

Deals - Redbox Movie/Game 8/15-24/11

Click on the link for the next 10 days of deals with Redbox. Nothing like renting a movie or game for $0.10 - $1.00. The link gives you all the details and what a great way to have family movie or game night with hardly any expense. Hope you enjoy my Tuesday Deal of the Week...

http://www.redbox.com/10-days-of-deals

Weekly Menu 8/14-20/11

Decide to start posting some helpful things. Perhaps it will inspire you to create your own menu or just use mine as a quick help. I will start posting this on Wednesday for the next week to follow since the grocery sales ads hit on Wednesday and you can plan and adjust the upcomming weeks menu to suit sales or your panty and families need.

This last week was easy shopping for me. Here's what we are eating this week.

Sunday August 14th
Chicago Style Pizza (made a few weeks ago and just had to defrost and bake) see recipe below

Monday August 15th
Quesadilla Burgers & Chips (bought tortillas for 2 meals this week to save) see recipe below

Tuesday August 16th
Chicken Fried Steak & Gravy (purchased already breaded chicken in bulk for time and savings)
Mashed Potatoes
Peas
Biscuits

Wednesday August 17th
Beef Stroganof Helper
Salad

Thursday August 18th
Pancakes (having breakfast once a week can really save on your grocery budget)
Bacon

Friday August 19th
Chicken Fajitas (using tortillas from Monday)

Saturday August 20th
Southwest Chicken - see below for recipe
Roasted Potatoes
Salad (leftover from Wednesday)


RECIPES FOR THIS WEEKS MENU

Chicago Style Pizza
1 can Jumbo Biscuit (8ct)
Pizza Sauce
Cheese
Toppings

Roll out biscuits and lay in pie pan (4 biscuits per pan, cut to adjust and press seams together), add toppings (I use ground turkey, italian sausage and pepperoni), I cook my toppings first except pepperoni of course, top with cheese and then pizza sauce, bake according to biscuit directions. (I make a double batch and freeze 2, bake, freeze them in the pie pan and then pop them out of the pie pan and slip into a ziploc bag and remove all air, when it comes time to warm them up just pull them out of the freezer and place back in pie pan and thaw and bake to warm through-makes for a quick no mess meal on a busy day)


Quesadilla Burgers
Flour Tortillas (small)
Hamburger Patties (I try to keep premade patties in the freezer for quick access and no mess)
Shredded Cheese
Salsa

Cook hamburgers, spray fry pan with non-stick spray, layer in torilla, cheese, salsa, cooked pattie, cheese and top with another tortilla, cook until browned and flip, make sure all is melted and serve, great on the grill...why dirty the kitchen.


Southwest Chicken
Chicken Breast for each person
Pepper Jack Cheese Slices
BBQ Sauce

Grill Chicken Breast until done, spread BBQ sauce on top and lay a slice of Pepper Jack Cheese on top until melted and then ready to serve.

250 Calorie...Quick Satisfying Lunch

This is my pick for a low calorie quick pick. I keep these on hand for when I just want a fast lunch. With only 250 calories you can still have a piece of fruit or yogurt if you like. I'm a kid and like to chop up the steak and mix all together like a mini shephards pie. YUMMO!

Italian Sausage Deep Dish Pizza

This was a quick spur of the moment meal. I had everything on hand and it was a huge hit with the whole family.


1 lb. Mild Italian Sausage
2 cups Shredded Cheese
2 cans Refrigerated Biscuits (I used Grands)
1 medium Onion sliced thin
Crushed Red Pepper
2 tsp. Minced Garlic
Olive Oil
Nonstick Spray
Italian Seasoning
Salt and Pepper
Ragu Garden Style Sauce (use whatever you like)

Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a fry pay fry onions until translucent then add Minced Garlic, Crushed Red Pepper, Italian Seasoning and Italian Sausage...fry until brown. I used 3 pie pans, spread biscuits on bottom and sides of pan, then brush with Olive Oil, spread half the cheese on bottom. Once meat mixture is done spread over cheese, then top with Ragu sauce and then the rest of the cheese. Bake in oven for 20 minutes and enjoy.

You could easily make this a special pizza night creation. Make all your toppings and layer in as each person wants...what a pizza party that would be. Everything was on hand in my pantry or freezer from coupon stock up. I don't even think I have $5 in this whole family meal...AWESOME!

General Tso Chicken

My family is a HUGE fan of Chinese food. One of our favorite dishes is General Tso Chicken. I've made it from scratch before and it took time and well I'm into quick dishes. I was in Walmart a while back and looked in the Oriental isle and looked around the sauces. The fact that I lived three years in Japan makes me a bit picky with certain flavors. I just can't help it. I found a sauce packet that I thought I'd like to try.

I of course didn't follow the recipe as it told me to but it really turned out good. Cameron had two helpings. This a definate purchase again for us.

GENERAL TSO CHICKEN

1 pkg Sunbird General Tso Chicken Seasoning Packet

1/4 cup sugar

3 Tbsp Soy Sauce (I used Bull Dog sauce, a Japanese sauce used in Yakisoba)

3/4 cup water

1 bag pre-breaded chicken pieces (makes this a quick and easy dish)

Directions: I put my chicken in the oven to bake following the package directions (use real chicken pieces not nuggets). When chicken was almost finished I mixed all other ingredients together in a sauce pan and brought to boil, stirring frequently (this doesn't take long). In a large bowl with lid I dumped all my chicken in it and poured my sauce over the top. Placed lid on top and shook until all chicken was coated. I served with steamed white rice. This was a real winner and I will definately make again. I had dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes. I love it!

Yummy Snack

I have found the best snack for only 140 calories (3 thins). I have always been a fan of Fig Newtons since a kid. But my best snacks have a crunch to them. These little crisp cookies are so yummy. I decide to brew some French Vanilla coffee this morning and had 3 of these for breakfast and all I can say is I'm in heaven. I bought the Blueberry Brown Sugar (anything blueberry is my favorite) but the have three other flavors. They also are a whole grain product with 8g per serving. I will definately buy more of these and try the other flavors. I hope you get a chance to try them before they are all sold out or sad to say stop making them.