December 27, 2011 - January 3, 2012

           December
Tuesday, 27: Out...
Wednesday, 28: Cajun Chicken Pasta
Thursday, 29: BBQ Chicken, Roasted Potatoes 
Friday, 30: BBQ Chicken Pizza
Saturday, 31: Spaghetti, Mizithra cheese, salad, garlic bread
          January 2012!!!
Sunday, 1: Easy Pot Roast with potatoes, carrots, onion, yams; & bread
Monday, 2: Veggie and Chicken Stir Fry with rice
Tuesday, 3: Crock Pot Baked Potatoes - with chili beans, cheese, broccoli, onion, bacon, with Salad
Wednesday, 4: Chicken Fajitas, pico de gallo, corn

November 19- 25th

Saturday, 19: The Great Mystery!
Sunday, 20: Chicken Cordon Bleu, Potatoes, Corn, Salad, Rolls
Monday, 21: Turkey BLTA Sandwiches
Tuesday, 22: Turkey Tacos
Wednesday, 23: German Pancake - (Make Rolls and Pecan Pie for tomorrow)
Thursday, 24: THANKSGIVING
Friday, 25: THANKSGIVING - DAY 2

November 13- 18th

Sunday, 13:  (DANISH NIGHT) Frikadeller & Danish Red Cabbage 
Monday, 14: Spaghetti with Roasted Vegetables (Onion, bell pepper, carrot, tomatoes) / Turkey Meatballs
Tuesday, 15: Pancakes, scrambled eggs with spinach, chicken sausage
Wednesday, 16:  pesto pasta salad, grilled chicken, fruit
Thursday, 17: Sloppy Joes
Friday, 18: Leftovers

November 5- November 12th

Saturday, 5: Bat Mitzvah Party
Sunday, 6: Roasted Chicken Thighs with potatoes, onions, garlic; Green Beans, Salad 
Monday, 7: Beef Enchiladas, Mexican Rice, Pico de Gallo
Tuesday, 8: Grilled Hamburgers, Roasted Potatoes, Fruit
Wednesday, 9: Chicken Fajitas with Guacamole and Sour Cream
Thursday, 10: (DANISH NIGHT) Frikadeller & Danish Red Cabbage 
Friday, 11: Pancakes, scrambled eggs with spinach, chicken sausage
Saturday, 12: Dinner with friends

October 22- 30th

Here's what we did...
Saturday, 22: Spaghetti, salad, bread
Sunday, 23: Dinner with friends
Monday, 24: Corn dogs
Tuesday, 25: Kale and Sausage Soup
Wednesday, 26: Turkey Sandwiches
Thursday, 27: Orange Chicken
Friday, 28: Stack Ups
Saturday, 29: Church Harvest Festival Dinner
Sunday, 30: Taco Pizza

October 17- 21

Monday, 17: Pizza 
Tuesday, 18: Crock Pot Baked Potatoes w/ leftover chili
Wednesday, 19: Chicken Tikka Masala
Thursday, 20: Caprese Salad, french baguette,prosciutto ham
Friday, 21: Southwest Casserole, green salad 

October 9 - Oct. 14th, 2011

Sunday, 9: Stroganoff, peas, egg noodles (Make rolls/bread- for tomorrow)
Monday, 10: Pesto Stuffed Shells, Salad, garlic bread 
Tuesday, 11: Hot Dogs (grilled), grapes, 
Wednesday, 12: Creamy Chicken Flautas (Make Quiche for Breakfast tomorrow)
Thursday, 13: Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad
Friday, 14: Chili

September 19- October 2, 2011

Monday, 19: Chicken Pot Pie
Tuesday, 20: Turkey BLTA Sandwiches
Wednesday, 21: BBQ Chicken Salad
Thursday, 22: Shrimp Tacos & Black Beans
Friday, 23: German Pancake, fruit
Saturday, 24: Turkey Burgers, pesto pasta salad
Sunday, 25: Chicken Cordon Bleu, Potatoes, Corn, Salad, Rolls


Monday, 26: Steak Sandwiches
Tuesday, 27: Spaghetti
Wednesday, 28: Burritos
Thursday, 29: Stir Fried Vegetables & Chicken over rice
Friday, 30: Fried Cod & French Fries, Coleslaw
Saturday, Oct. 1: Flautas
Sunday, Oct. 2: Shepherd's Pie

September 11- September 16th, 2011

After a week off work...I'm ready to plan meals again. It's just so hard since it's so hot out! I don't like to make the house hotter by turning on the stove.

Sunday, 11: Lindsay's Turkey Lasagna, salad
Monday, 12: Margarita Pizza
Tuesday, 13: Chicken Kabobs (peppers, onions, tomato, zuchinni), peach cobbler
Wednesday, 14: Boys fend for themselves-- mommy going out with Emily Pool! (Leftovers)
Thursday, 15: Sloppy Joes
Friday, 16: Leftovers

Saturday, August 27 - Friday, September 2, 2011

Saturday, 27th- Grilled burgers, corn on the cob, green salad.
Sunday, 28th- Jamaican Jerk chicken, cilantro lime rice, tomato, corn and black bean salsa.
Monday, 29th- Spaghetti with garlic bread, Caesar salad
Tuesday, 30th- Asian cabbage salad
Wednesday, 31st- Stir fry
Thursday, 1st- Taco salad
Friday, 2nd- Grilled pork chops, roasted potatoes, green salad

August 13- August 19

Saturday, 13: Roast Beef Gyros

Sunday, 14: Chicken Divan

Monday, 15: Chana Masala with Tandori Nan (bread that Trader Joes has)

Tuesday, 16: Hot Dogs with Saur Kraut 

Wednesday, 17: Go to the NW Fair

Thursday, 18: Caesar Salad with Chicken

Friday, 19: Homemade creamy Pesto Pasta with garden vegetables & Salmon

August 9- August 12, 2011

Tuesday, 9: Grilled Hamburgers, baked potato wedges

Wednesday, 10: Creamy Chicken Flautas, Salsa

Thursday, 11: Turkey Spaghetti  with mushrooms

Friday, 12: Pinto Beans and Rice

August 1- August 8th

Monday, 1: Sandwiches

Tuesday, 2: Grilled Chicken Gyros

Wednesday, 3: Layered Salad

Thursday, 4: Jerked Chicken Kabobs, cilantro lime rice, black bean salsa

Friday, 5: Homemade Margarita Pizza

Saturday, 6: -- Our Family is feeding us---

Sunday, 7:  Taco Salad

Monday, 8: Channa Masala, Roti, Cumber-Tomato- onion salad—with mint

July 24- July 30

Sunday, 24: Marinated Steak, mushrooms, onion, broccoli, potatoes
Monday, 25: Ground Beef Enchiladas (with poblano peppers)
Tuesday, 26: Mommy going out to eat with Emily-- leftovers for boys? or Curry
Wednesday, 27: Fish Tacos
Thursday, 28: Pulled Pork sandwiches, roasted peppers, homemade rolls, apples
Friday, 29: Going out to dinner w/ Shaun's parents
Saturday, 30: Lindsay Lasagna, green beans

July 16-July 22

Saturday, 16: freestyle

Sunday, 17: Orecchiette pasta w/ sausage, basil, and tomatoes
Monday, 18: Mexican Rice Skillet
Tuesday, 19: Grilled chicken Caesar salad
Wednesday, 20:  Lindsay's b-day.... go out?
Thursday, 21: Grilled Cheese, Applesauce
Friday, 22: Chinese Cabbage and chicken salad

July 7- July 15

Thursday, 7: Cajun Chicken Pasta
Friday, 8: Brown Butter over pasta with Mizithra Cheese, salad, rolls
Saturday, 9: Chicken and Peppers Kabobs, and Corn on the Cobb
Sunday, 10: Mexican Rice Skillet
Monday, 11: Leftovers
Tuesday, 12: Jerked Chicken, Mediterranean Chop Chop Salad
Wednesday, 13: Sloppy Joes
Thursday, 14: Burritos
Friday, 15: Tuna Sandwiches

June 27- July 3

Monday, June 27: Turkey Sandwiches
Tuesday, June 28: Lindsay Bean Burritos (Beans, cheese, and corn in tortilla), fruit
Wednesday, June 29: Eggs, bacon, toast, apple
Thursday, June 30: Chicken, Boiled Herbed Potatoes, and peas
Friday, July 1: PB & Jelly Sandwiches, Goldfish crackers, applesauce
Saturday, July 2: (Family Party) BRUNCH/ LUNCH: Homemade Bagels- with deli meats, cream cheese, hummus, veggies, & fruit. DINNER: Go out with Family OR make Chicken & Vegetable Kabobs (with Weber's White Wine & Herb Marinade Packet- Mix), Corn on the Cob, Cilantro Lime Rice 
Sunday, July 3: Homemade Noodles and Bolognese Sauce
Monday, July 4: Grilled Steak, corn on the cob, Greek Salad, strawberry shortcake

June 18- June 24

Saturday, 18: Stroganoff
Sunday, 19: Chicken Shepard's Pie
Monday, 20: Asian Noodles with chicken
Tuesday, 21: Caesar Salad
Wednesday, 22: Chili
Thursday, 23: Leftovers
Friday, 24: Bagel Pizza

June 11- June 17th

Saturday, 11: Bean Burritos (using leftover beans)
Sunday, 12: Mushroom Risotto, Grilled Chicken, Peas
Monday, 13: Lasagna (frozen portion)
Tuesday, 14: Fried Rice
Wednesday, 15: Leftovers
Thursday, 16: Channa Masala
Friday, 17: Pizza

June 4- June 10

Saturday, 4: Grilled Chicken, rolls, Cobb salad
Sunday, 5: Spaghetti, rolls, salad
Monday, 6: Cashew Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Tuesday, 7: Quesadilla with chicken and Black Beans
Wednesday, 8: Beans and cornbread
Thursday, 9: Hamburgers/ hotdogs
Friday, 10: Leftovers

Friday, May 27- Friday June 3, 2011

Friday, 27: Grilled Hot Dogs, apples, celery
Saturday, 28: Stack ups (Taco Salad)
Sunday, 29: Lasagna (see recipe below), rolls, simple side salad
Monday, 30: Hamburgers, German Potato Salad, Baked beans, fruit
Tuesday, 31: Ginger Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Wednesday, 1: Baked Ham, Mashed potatoes, gravy, (salad) Romaine leaves with paprika spiced pineapple rings, and Mango Chutney Dressing
Thursday, 2: Macaroni and Cheese, chicken nuggets, corn
Friday, 3: Taco Pizza 


Lindsay's Easy to Eat Lasagna (good for toddlers who don't eat big noodles easily)
1 box of elbow noodles 
1-1 1/2 jars thick spaghetti sauce

1/2 chopped green pepper (optional)
1 large chopped onion
3 cloves garlic, minced

1 lb. Italian sausage (removed from casing) cooked  (can use pork or turkey)
1 lb. ground turkey

1 large container small curd cottage cheese ( or use excellent ricotta- tastes delicious)
1/2 c Fresh Basil (optional)
1/4 cup freshly chopped parsley (or 2 Tbspn tried parsley)
2 cups Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
1/2 tsp. cracked black pepper
2 eggs
4 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Heat oil in large pan. To pan, add ground turkey, sausage, onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until no pink remains. Add jarred sauce and heat through.

While cooking meat, cook noodles according to package directions. Set aside.

Combine Ricotta or cottage cheese with eggs, Parmesan cheese, cracked black pepper and parsley and basil.

Spray some oil into a large deep baking pan to prevent sticking. 

Then layer bottom with spaghetti sauce/meat, about two cups. Next, place a layer of noodles, then layer of Rictotta or cottage cheese mixture, sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers again. 

When you lay your last layer of noodles, place a thin layer of sauce (rather than cottage cheese) and then sprinkle a thick layer of mozzarella on top. 

Bake at 375°F uncovered until the top is golden brown and bubbly- about 30 minutes.

May 21- May 27, 2011

Saturday, 21: Kabobs  (with chicken)
Sunday, 22: Shredded Beef and Caramelized Onion Enchiladas
Monday, 23: Turkey, Brie and Cranberry Chutney Panini, fruit (apples, grapes--whatever's cheap)
Tuesday, 24: Ravioli with red sauce, Cesar salad, garlic bread
Wednesday, 25: Chicken Coconut Curry with rice (see recipe below)
Thursday, 26: Hamburgers
Friday, 27: Leftovers


Lindsay's Curry recipe

2 skinless boneless chicken breasts

Salt & Black pepper

1 large onion chopped (1 cup)

1/2 cup slices bell pepper (long strips)

3 stalks celery, chopped

1 Tbsp finely chopped ginger

3 cloves garlic cloves minced

1 Tbsp canola oil

1 14 oz can coconut milk

2-4 Tbsp Curry Powder

Hot steamed rice

GARNISHES

1/3 cup juilenned fresh Thai basil (garnish)

1 roma tomato chopped (garnish)

Shredded coconut (garnish)

Chopped cilantro (garnish)

Chopped almonds (garnish)

DIRECTIONS:

Rinse chicken; pat dry cut into 3/4" pieces.

In a skillet cook the onion, bell pepper, celery, ginger, and garlic in hot oil over medium high heat for 2 minutes. Remove reserving drippings in skillet.

Add half of the chicken. Season with salt, pepper, curry powder. Cook and stir for 2-3 minutes or until chicken is tender and no pink remains. Remove chicken from skillet. Repeat with remaining chicken.

Put all chicken and vegetables back in skillet. Combine coconut milk and curry powder. Cook and stir until thick and bubbly. Serve over rice.

Garnish with fresh basil leaves, tomato, coconut, cilantro, and almonds.

May 14-- May 20, 2011

Sat, 14: Homemade Corn Dogs, Salad
Sun, 15: Pulled Pork Sandwiches, coleslaw
Monday, 16: Leftovers
Tuesday, 17: Creamy Chicken Flautas, salsa, apple slices
Wednesday, 18: Fried Rice
Thursday, 19: Sloppy Joes, carrot sticks
Friday, 20: Leftovers

May 1- May 8th, 2011

Sunday, May 1: Eggplant Parmigiana

Monday, May 2: Mexican Rice Skillet
Tuesday, May 3: Gyros
Wednesday, May 4: Orange Chicken w/ pineapple and red bell peppers
Thursday, May 5: Chicken Caesar Salad
Friday, May 6: Leftovers
Saturday, May 7: Soft Tacos
Sunday, May 8: Chicken Cordon Bleu

May 9th- May 13th I'm assisting on a trial and won't be home for dinner. So, this week will be made up of Shaun's dream food that I don't like to eat as often as he does. I imagine Japanese Curry will make up a few of those meals.

Sunday, April 17-- April 30th, 2011

Sunday, April 17: Japanese Curry with rice
Monday, April 18: Slow Cooker- Kalua Pig with Green Salad, roasted potatoes
Tuesday, April 19: Cheese Tortellini with Tomato Sauce & peas
Wednesday, April 20: Potstickers, rice, broccoli 
Thursday, April 21: Chana Masala w/ Nan Bread (store bought- easier)
Friday, April 22: Leftovers
Saturday, April 23: Baked Potatoes Bar- Chili beans, cheese, broccoli, sour cream


Sunday, April 24: Roast Chicken, Green Beans, Rolls
Monday, April 25: Stroganoff, egg noodles, peas
Tuesday. April 26: Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos, with tortillas, cheese, cabbage slaw (cabbage, lime juice, cilantro, green onions, salt), corn, black beans
Wednesday, April 27: Shaun's light & Fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes 
   3 c. flour, sifted if lumpy
   1.5 tspn baking soda
   1.5 tspn baking powder
   1 tspn salt
   spash of vanilla
   3 egg yokes
   3 egg whites (whipped until stiff)
   3 c. buttermilk (or use reg milk with 3 tablespoons of white vinegar added)
  1/8 c. white granulated sugar
  3 Tbspn canola oil
Mix dry ingredients, add eggs yokes, vanilla, buttermilk. Blend until smooth with mixer. Fold in by hand the whipped egg whites. Then cook on warm griddle or sprayed hot pan. Serve with REAL maple syrup.


Thursday, April 28: Pizza  (homemade dough, jarred sauce, turkey pepperoni, olives, mushrooms, etc.)
Friday, April 29: Left overs
Saturday, April 30: Black Beans and Rice with pico de gallo

Week of April 3rd and Week of April 10th

April
3: Sunday- Shepherd's Pie
4: Monday- Soft Tacos
5: Tuesday- Pancakes
6: Wednesday- Chicken Cordon Bleu, Rice, Green Beans
7: Thursday- Chicken and Vegetable Stir-Fy  (carrots, celery, onion, red bell pepper, baby corn, water chestnuts, soy sauce)
8: Friday- Leftovers
9: Saturday- jerked chicken tenders, cilantro lime rice, and black-bean & Corn salsa


10: Sunday- BBQ Turkey Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, peas
11: Monday- bagel pizzas & applesauce
12: Tuesday- chicken fajitas
13: Wednesday- grilled ham & cheese sandwiches, applesauce, & raw carrot -celery- tomatoes w/ ranch
14: Thursday- lemon basil chicken pasta
15: Friday- leftovers
16: Saturday- Lasagna and homemade rolls

Meal Plan for the Week of March 21- March 27, 2011

Sunday 20: Turkey Shepherd's Pie 
(replace ground beef with turkey, and replace can of tomato soup with tomato sauce)

Monday 21: Chicken & Leek Stroganoff, Wheat Rolls
(In Roll Recipe, use bread flour, and you can do in mixer)

Tuesday 22: Mini Italian club sandwiches  & applesauce

Wednesday 23: Egg Foo Young

Thursday 24: Turkey Tacos

Friday: Bagel Pizzas

Saturday 26: Roast Chicken, mashed potatoes, peas

Attempting to Save Money and Still Eat GOOD FOOD

My husband lost his job this week. I work full time, he goes to school full time, and we have a charming 20 month year old son. After taking a look at the monthly expenses--many are fixed. Food is flexible--but as a bit of a foodie-- I ache to think about reducing our grocery bill.


In the past, I've really tried to keep a regular weekly meal plan and have saved money and trips to the grocery store. So, I'm going to try that  again....and in hopes of not having to reinvent the wheel... I am going to record my meal plans online.


I don't invent recipes much, but I learn how to cook the things I like. I don't come from a family of cooks---I am self/TV taught. I'll see how this site goes.