Menu January 10 - 17

Since I didn't cook for several days last week, much of this weeks menu is a repeat of last week's plan. Somehow, when we moved the fridge to put in the new floor, the temperature adjusment got out of whack and all of my produce froze, so my "on-hand" vegies went in to the trash and I'll be making due until I get to the grocery store.

Monday:
Chicken and Dumplings (frozen leftover roast chicken carcas with frozen vegies and drop dumplings)
Tuesday: Tuna Noodle Casserole
Wednesday: Grilled Steaks and Baked Potatoes (It's never to cold to grill steaks!)
Thursday: Bistro Braised Chicken and Salad
Friday: Pot Roast
Saturday: BBQ Pork
Sunday: Green Chili and Quesadillas

School is back in session and things will begin to get busy again, but I hope to stick to my plans and stay organized and on budget!

Don't forget MPM for more great ideas!

menu plan interrupted

This week's menu hit a snag Wednesday when we decided to finally install tile in the kitchen. A friend who installs flooring for a living had offered to help us, but his work load wasn't allowing him any free time. As with any DIY project a two day project turned into four days and the kitchen was out of commission for most of that time. I thought about pulling some things to put in the crock pot, but with limited access to the sink, (I refuse to wash dishes in the same bathtub where people wash their feet) I opted for take out or eating out.
We microwaved leftovers, the kids were thrilled that we got to order pizza, we had Mexican food (Snapper a la Vercruzana for me) and Chinese take out.
Laying tile is a ridiculous amount of work, but I love the finished product. I can't wait to cook a meal in my "new" kitchen!

Menu January 3 - 9

The "No Shopping Challenge" last week went very well. The challenge was made much easier because I came down with a horrible cold and didn't feel like going anywhere and we had a huge snowstorm so driving didn't seem like a good idea, either. The only exceptions to last week's plan was a substitution of ham and bean soup from the freezer on one of the days I felt horrible, and a lunch at the Chinese food place while D and I were running errands.
I probably could have made it through another week without shopping, but the menu choices would have been limited and somewhat bland since I ran out of carrots, celery and onions. The basis of this week's plan was still things I had on hand, but augmented with a few items from the store. My total grocery spending this week was just under $50

Menu
Monday:
B - Cereal
L - Leftovers
D - Chicken Tamale Casserole (with leftover roast chicken)

Tuesday:
B - Rice Pudding
L - Sandwiches
D - Mac-n-Cheese with Salmon Patties

Wednesday:
B - Cinnamon Rolls
L - Sandwiches
D - Roasted Beef, Mushroom, and Barley Soup, French Bread

Thursday:
B - Cereal
L - Soup
D - Bistro Braised Chicken, Salad

Friday:
B - Eggs and Toast
L - Homemade Pizza
D - Tuna Noodle Casserole made with bechamel sauce

Saturday:
B - French Toast
L - Leftovers
D - BBQ Pork Sandwiches (from uncured pork shank, leftovers to be frozen for future meals,)
Au Gratin Potatoes

Sunday:
B - Pancakes
L/D Green Chile and Quesadillas

Salmon Patties are a family favorite. The recipe I use is my great-grandmother's. The copy I have is in her handwriting. It has all of the hallmarks of a depression era recipe: a few, inexpensive ingredients, high protein, and with stretch to make a lot by adding more crackers.
Combine one can of salmon, 2 eggs, 1 cup milk and enough crackers to make them thick enough to form patties, salt and pepper to taste. Adding onions are a great addition.
My grandmother scooped a couple of spoonfuls of saved bacon grease into the pan to fry these, I use a couple tablespoons of peanut oil. If there are any leftovers, they are great in sandwiches the next day.

What are your favorite family recipes?

See Laura at the Organizing Junkie for more menu plans.