Menu Plan Monday: January 6th, 2013

MenuJanuary 6th – 19th, 2014 

Hello Friends, I hope you all had a wonderful New Years!  I wish you the very best in 2014.  We started the New Year with upper respiratory illness for 1/2 of the household.  Most of us started getting sick on Christmas.   I think we have finally turning the turn and are heading towards health.  As always, menu planning really helped to keep the house running even with my hubby and I very sick.  We had the plan of what was for supper and the food was in the house.   The slow cooker also helps a lot when you are sick and still have a house of people to feed.   If you can manage to get everything in the slow cooker, you will wake up to a nice warm meal with little effort.  Makes for a happy family, when Mama is sick!

If you want to simplify your life in 2014, I would suggest giving menu planning a chance!   If you want to start out easy use a service like emeals to provide you with a monthly menu and shopping list and all you have to do it buy the groceries!!   I promise you won’t regret it!

eMeals - Easy Meals for Busy People!

New Family Favorites from Last Week: Baked Coconut Shrimp

WEEK #1

Monday, 6th – (soccer) – Turkey Focaccia Club Sandwiches (Simple & Delicious: Oct/Nov 2013 – pg 21)

Tuesday, 7th –  (working late & soccer) – Chili (Slow Cooker)

Wednesday, 8th – Crab Melts and Chips – (Simple & Delicious: Oct/Nov 2013 – pg 22)

Thursday, 9th – Hearty Wild Rice Soup and Biscuits (Simple & Delicious: Oct/Nov 2013 –Pg 15)

Friday, 10th – French Bread Pizza,

Saturday, 11th – Crab & Lobster, Wild Rice and Normandy Veggies with Red Lobster Biscuits (New Years Dinner – was postponed due to illness)

Sunday, 12th –  (soccer) – Braised Pork Shanks with Mushroom Dumplings – Vegetable

WEEK #2

Monday, 13th –  (soccer) – Sirloin With Mushroom Sauce (Simple & Delicious: Oct/Nov 2013 – pg 23)

Tuesday, 14th –  (soccer) – Beef Vegetable Soup (Emeals # 515)

Wednesday, 15th – Southern Breakfast Casserole – Fruit Salad (Emeals # 515)

Thursday, 16th – Italian Casserole, Steamed Broccoli (Emeals # 514)

Friday, 17th – Pepperoni Rolls and Mixed Salad (Emeals # 515)

Saturday, 18th – Beef with Red Wine Sauce (Crockpot) (Emeals # 515)

Sunday, 19th  – Wild Rice Casserole , Glazed Carrots (Emeals # 514)

Food Budget:  Decided to start tracking how much we spend on food/household expenses each month again in hopes to budget appropriately.  Wanting to keep our budget at $100 per person each month.   We are a household of 5 adults, 1 growing boy who eats like an adult and 1 toddlers.

Shopping Trip:  1/4/14
Aldi – $115.18
Walmart – $87.38
Sam’s Club – $58.20

Total for 2 weeks of food:  $260.76 / 6.5 (count baby as 1/2) = $40.12 per person or  $130.38 per week on groceries.

For more Menu Planning inspiration stop by and visit Laura at Organizing Junkie and participate in Menu Plan Monday.  Need help getting started menu planning –  Emeals is a great solution.  Many meal plans to chose from at a very affordable price.

Wishing you all a wonderful week!!!

Happy Cooking!!

Menu Plan Monday: December 2 – 15th, 2013

Menu

December 2 – 15th, 2013

I hope you all enjoyed a lovely Thanksgiving with your family.  We had a nice time.  We had 14 people for our Thanksgiving meal and another 9 more who joined us for dessert after our meal.   It was a lovely day spent with those we love!

004Lots of guests meant a lot of help with the dishes!!!

Hard to believe it is already December!   December is a very busy month for us with a lot of entertaining, which means menu planning is even more important for us.  We try to plan simple meals in December.  I am posting the menu for the next two weeks as I am finding my myself very busy.

Planning is the key in our house to having a relaxed holiday season.  After many years of chaos, we have it down to an art at this point.  Today is December 3rd, our Christmas Shopping is done, we have decorated for Christmas and our Christmas Photo cards are already addressed.  Having these items complete allows our family to enjoy the season.  We (mostly me) watch Christmas movies, ring the bell for the Salvation Army and have a number of parties to celebrate the season with our family.

I hope you are finding ways to simplify your holiday season this year so you can focus on what matters most 🙂

 Week # 1

2nd – (working late) – Split Pea and Sausage Soup – Bread and Butter

3rd – Macaroni And Cheese – Vegetable

4thPesto Chicken Tortellini Soup x 2– Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

5th – (sort) – Parmesan Crusted Chicken, Rice and Green Beans

3 chicken breasts, thawed, halved and pounded
2/3 Cups mayo
1/3 cups grated Parmesan
5 tsp Italian Bread Crumbs

Combine Mayo and Cheese. Spread on chicken then sprinkle with bread crumbs. Bake at 425 for 20 minutes.

6th – Crab Salad Croissants – Chips (simple Delicious Cookbook – 62)

7th  –  Ham in Crockpot,  Corn and Mashed Potatoes (good)

8th –  Chicken and Egg Noodle Casserole, Vegetable – (Taste of Home =November 2013 –pg 99)

 Week # 2

9th Loaded Baked Potato Soup, Cheese Pull Apart Bread  x 2

10th – Roast In Crockpot – Roasted Veggies

11th – Grilled Cheese and Noodle Soup

12th (Tom Christmas Choir Concert) – Lasagna Roll Ups – Garlic Bread

13th Taco Night

14th Country Meat Loaf , Baked Potato and Vegetable

15th (Cookie Exchange Party) – Appetizers

For more Menu Planning inspiration stop by and visit Laura at Organizing Junkie and participate in Menu Plan Monday.  Need help getting started menu planning –  Emeals is a great solution.  Many meal plans to chose from at a very affordable price.

Wishing you all a wonderful week!!!

Happy Cooking!!

Menu Plan Monday: November 25th, 2013

Link

Menu

 November 25th – December 1st

25th – Rosemary Chicken and Veggies (Crockpot) – Emeals 507

26th – Deluxe Baked Macaroni and Cheese – (Taste of Home – December 2013 – pg 72)

27th – Pesto Chicken Tortellini Soup x 2– Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

28th – Thanksgiving Meal at the Coyan’s

Simple Turkey  / Herb Butter

1 14-15 pound turkey
1 stick margarine, softened
Bay leaves
Adobo, to taste
1 carrot, chunked
1 stalk celery, chunked
1 onion, quartered
1 green apple, quartered
½ C. water

Heat oven to 500 degrees. Wash the turkey and pat dry (save the bags of parts for your gravy). In the turkey cavity place all your vegetables. Separate the skin carefully from the turkey and place bay leaves and slices of half of the margarine under the skin. Rub the outside of the turkey with the rest of the margarine. Season to taste with adobo. Place turkey breast side up in a roasting pan. Put water in pan around the bird not over, you don’t want to wash away the margarine or seasoning. Cover turkey tightly with foil, removing the foil about 1 hour before turkey is done to brown the skin. Cook turkey at 500 degrees for 30 minutes, turn oven down to 325 and cook for 3-4 hours or until done, a meat thermometer inserted into the thigh without touching the bone should read 180 degrees when bird is fully cooked. Let turkey rest for 30 minutes before serving.

Stuffing-Dressed Up

2 boxes of stuffing mix like Stove top
1 huge onion, sauteed
4 stalks celery, sauteed
1 lb. sausage, cooked

Prepare stuffing according to package directions, before serving stir in other ingredients.

Paul’s Stuffed Mushrooms

Green Bean Casserole

Honey Glazed Carrots

Parsnip Potatoes

Dinner Rolls

Cranberry Caramelized Onion Sauce

Ingredients
1 Tbs. vegetable or canola oil
1 large yellow onion, cut into medium dice
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
One 12-oz. bag fresh or thawed frozen cranberries, rinsed and picked over (3-1/2 cups)
1 cup granulated sugar

Directions

  1. In a 10-inch straight-sided sauté pan or skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onions, a pinch of salt, and a grind or two of pepper. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are golden-brown and very soft, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the lid, increase the heat to medium high, and cook the onions, stirring often, until deep caramel-brown, an additional 2 to 3 minutes.
  2. Add the cranberries, sugar, a pinch of salt, and 1/2 cup water and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat
  3. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, then cover, turn off the heat, and let cool to room temperature

Pumpkin Pie Bars (Simple & Delicious: Oct/Nov 2013 – pg54)

Apple Caramel Cheesecake Bars (Simple & Delicious: Oct/Nov 2013 – pg52)

Sugarfree Pumpkin Pie

29th – (Holiday) Turkey Soup with Egg Noddles and Vegetable (Thanksgiving Island)

30th – Turkey Dijon Melts – Chips&Dip (Simple and Delicious Cookbook – pg 60)

1st – Pancakes, Bacon and Scrambles Eggs

Lunch:   Pesto Pasta in a Jar / Cobb Salad in a Jar

For more Menu Planning inspiration stop by and visit Laura at Organizing Junkie and participate in Menu Plan Monday.  Need help getting started menu planning –  Emeals is a great solution.  Many meal plans to chose from.

Wishing you all a wonderful week!!!

Happy Cooking!!

Menu Plan Monday: November 18th

Menu

November 18th – 24th

18th – Easy Mac& Cheese Veggie Chicken Casserole

19th – Loaded Baked Potato Soup, Cheese Pull Apart Bread  x 2

20th –  Biscuits and Gravy – Scrambled Eggs

21st – (Book Group) – Pork Roast Sandwiches- Sauerkraut – Chips – (Forget it & Forget it 5 Ingred Favorites pg 130)

22nd – Easy Shredded Taco Beef in the Slow Cooker

23rd – Speedy Minestrone Soup – (Simple and Delicious Cookbook – pg 42)

24th –  Tuna Pasta Casserole

Lunch:   Pesto Pasta in a Jar / Cobb Salad in a Jar

For more Menu Planning inspiration stop by and visit Laura at Organizing Junkie and participate in Menu Plan Monday.  Need help getting started menu planning –  Emeals is a great solution.  Many meal plans to chose from.

Wishing you all a wonderful week!!!

Happy Cooking!!

Menu Plan Monday: November 11th, 2013

Menu

November 11 – 17th, 2013

11th – (HOLIDAY) Bruschetta-Topped Chicken – Vegetable and Parmesan Angel Hair Pasta (Simple & Delicious: Oct/Nov 2013 –pg 19

12th – (FPU)  Beef and Barley Soup 

13th – Sausage Ravioli Lasagna – (Simple and Delicious Dec/Jan 2013 – pg 73)

14th – (Sort) – Gourmet Bacon, Tomato and Cheese Sandwiches, Salad  – Emeals 505

15th – (Work from Home) – Pork Roast Sandwiches- Sauerkraut – Chips – (Forget it & Forget it 5 Ingred Favorites pg 130)

16th – (Murder Mystery) – Rotisserie Crockpot Chicken – Stuffing and Veggies

17th – Beef Macaroni Soup – Biscuits (Simple and Delicious Cookbook – pg 129

Lunches:  Pesto Pasta Mason Jar  & Mexican Salad

 For more Menu Planning inspiration stop by and visit Laura at Organizing Junkie and participate in Menu Plan Monday.  Need help getting started menu planning –  Emeals is a great solution.  Many meal plans to chose from.

Wishing you all a wonderful week!!!

Happy Cooking!!

Menu Plan Monday: October 21st

Menu

October 21st – 27th, 2013

Family Favorites From Last Week:

  •  Cilantro Lime Chicken  – Roasted Corn and Side Salad (Emeals 498) * Crockpot
  • Chicken Tacos (Emeals 498) *Crockpot (Use Leftover Cilantro Lime Chicken)

21th –(Book Group) – Sausage and Rice Casserole – Vegetable

22nd – (FPU) = Chili 

23rdAlfredo Pasta – Garlic Bread

24th (Book Group) = Mac and Cheese – Bologna

25th (Friday Movie Night) – Cheddar Bacon Burgers – Waffle Fries (Simple & Delicious: Oct/Nov 2013 – 15)

26th (Tommy’s Birthday) – Pizza

27th – Sirloin with Mushroom Sauce – Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans (Simple & Delicious: Oct/Nov 2013-23)

DESSERT: Minty Chocolate Cream Cheese Bars (Simple & Delicious: Oct/Nov 2013 –pg56)

For more Menu Planning inspiration stop by and visit Laura at Organizing Junkie and participate in Menu Plan Monday.  Need help getting started menu planning –  Emeals is a great solution.  Many meal plans to chose from.

Wishing you all a wonderful week!!!

Happy Cooking!!

Menu Plan Monday: October 14th

Menu

October 14th – 20th

14th  (Conferences) – Monday  – Cilantro Lime Chicken  – Roasted Corn and Side Salad (Emeals 498) * Crockpot

15th  (Class)- Chicken Tacos (Emeals 498) *Crockpot

16th  – Swiss and Bacon Mini Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes and Corn

17th   (No School)- Broccoli –Mushroom Bubble Bake – Vegetables (Simple & Delicious: Oct/Nov 2013 – 37)

18th  (No School) – Cheddar Bacon Burgers – Waffle Fries (Simple & Delicious: Oct/Nov 2013 – 15)

19th – Sirloin with Mushroom Sauce – Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans (Simple & Delicious: Oct/Nov 2013-23)

20th  (Pinterest Party)

DESSERT: Minty Chocolate Cream Cheese Bars (Simple & Delicious: Oct/Nov 2013 –pg56)

For more Menu Planning inspiration stop by and visit Laura at Organizing Junkie and participate in Menu Plan Monday.  Need help getting started menu planning –  Emeals is a great solution.  Many meal plans to chose from.

Wishing you all a wonderful week!!!

Happy Cooking!!

Menu Plan Monday: September 30th

Menu

September 30th – October 6th

30th – Monday (working From Home) – Cilantro Lime Chicken  – Roasted Corn and Side Salad (Emeals 498) * Crockpot

1st – Tuesday (Class??) – Chicken Tacos (Emeals 498) *Crockpot

2nd – Wednesday – Shrimp and Avocado Salad / Mini Croissants (Emeals 497)

3rd – Thursday – Turkey Bundles – Mixed Vegetable (Simple & Delicious: Oct/Nov 2013 –Pg 17)

4th – Friday – Turkey Focaccia Club – Chips – Fruit (Simple & Delicious: Oct/Nov 2013 –pg21)

5th – Saturday – Sirloin with Mushroom Sauce – Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans (Simple & Delicious: Oct/Nov 2013-23)

6th – Sunday (3:00 Game/ Woodbury)- Effortless Alfredo Pizza x 2 (Simple & Delicious: Oct/Nov 2013 – pg 22)

DESSERT: Minty Chocolate Cream Cheese Bars (Simple & Delicious: Oct/Nov 2013 –pg56)

For more Menu Planning inspiration stop by and visit Laura at Organizing Junkie and participate in Menu Plan Monday.  Need help getting started menu planning –  Emeals is a great solution.  Many meal plans to chose from.

Wishing you all a wonderful week!!!

Happy Cooking!!

eMeals - Easy Meals for Busy People!

Menu Plan Monday: September 22, 2013

Menu

September 23rd – September 29th

I just have to say, if you are looking for great recipes, the October/November 2013 issue of Taste of Home – Simple & Delicious is great.   We have been trying recipes from this issue the last few weeks.  We really enjoyed the following recipes:

  • Hearty Wild Rice Soup and Biscuits (Simple & Delicious: Oct/Nov 2013 –Pg 15)
  •   Crab Melts and Chips – (Simple & Delicious: Oct/Nov 2013 – pg 22)
  •   Rosemary Chicken (Simple & Delicious: Oct/Nov 2013 –pg 25)
  •   Bacon Swiss Pork Chops – Vegetable and Salad (Simple & Delicious: Oct/Nov 2013 – pg 18)
  •   Minestrone with Turkey – Garlic Bread (Simple & Delicious: Oct/Nov 2013 – pg18)

23rd – Monday (Later Meeting) Soupy Chicken Noodle Supper – Grilled Cheese Sandwiches (Simple & Delicious: Oct/Nov 2013 – pg 21)

24th – Tuesday (Class??) – Italian Turkey Skillet / Salad (Simple & Delicious: Oct/Nov 2013 –pg 25)

25th – Wednesday  – Cheddar – Bacon Burgers with Waffle Fries (Simple & Delicious: Oct/Nov 2013 – pg 15)

26th – Thursday – (Book Group) – Chicken and Rice Casserole

27th – Friday – Taco Pizzas – Sliced Apples (Emeals 497)

28th – Saturday – Rosemary Steak – Baked Potato (Emeals 498) *Marinate

29th – Sunday (3:00 Game/Eau Claire) – Lemony Parsley Baked Cod – New Potatoes – Veggie (Simple & Delicious: Oct/Nov 2013 – pg 22)

DESSERT: Apple Caramel Cheesecake Bars (Simple & Delicious: Oct/Nov 2013 –pg52)

For more Menu Planning inspiration stop by and visit Laura at Organizing Junkie and participate in Menu Plan Monday.  Need help getting started menu planning –  Emeals is a great solution.  Many meal plans to chose from.

Wishing you all a wonderful week!!!

Happy Cooking!!

eMeals - Easy Meals for Busy People!

Menu Plan Monday: September 16th

Menu

September 16th – 22nd, 2013

16th – Monday – Bruschetta-Topped Chicken – Vegetable and Parmesan Angel Hair Pasta (Simple & Delicious: Oct/Nov 2013 –pg 19) http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/bruschetta-with-tomato-and-basil-recipe/index.html

17th – Tuesday (Class ??) – Classic Lasagna/ Garlic Bread (Emeals – 473)

18th – Wednesday – – Minestrone with Turkey – Garlic Bread (Simple & Delicious: Oct/Nov 2013 – pg18)

19th – Thursday (Sorting) – Biscuits with Sausage and Gravy – Scrambled Eggs

20th – Friday – Philly Cheese Steak Stromboli – Chips –Carrots with Ranch (Emeals 497)

21st – Saturday – Asian Sesame Chicken Salad/ Chicken Pot Stickers (Simple & Delicious: Oct/Nov 2013 – pg20)

22nd – Sunday (4:45 GAME) – Montreal Chicken/ Rainbow Layered Salad (Emeals 497) *Crockpot)

DESSERT: Chewy Chocolate Cherry Bars (Simple & Delicious: Oct/Nov 2013 –pg54)

For more Menu Planning inspiration stop by and visit Laura at Organizing Junkie and participate in Menu Plan Monday. More menu planning fun can be found at The Organised Housewife.

Wishing you all a wonderful week!!!

Happy Cooking!!