So I found out that a good way to reduce my grocery spending was to make a list of dinners for the entire week. Well, sometimes I was good and sometimes I did horrible. I ended up making up this master list of meals that we eat pretty regularly, so every week I look in the ads to see what's on sale and pick out 7 meals that coordinate with it. I post this list inside my pantry door and I rarely have to think about "what's for dinner tonight" anymore. The list of "7" goes on my fridge to look at all week. So all I have to spend for the week is anything I need for these meals that I don't have, as well as stuff for lunches and breakfast. That's all! If you would like me to post any of the full recipes for these menus, then please leave a comment. I would love to hear what your family loves to eat all the time, and if you get a chance, please post the recipe here. We'll help each other get through this mundane weekly pain!
11 comments:
That is such a great idea. I still would love to get the recipe for that crock pot dinner you made for me that one time. It was really good.
um....would it be too much to ask for ALL OF THE RECIPES? :) I'm just kidding....that would take forever, but seiously I need some serious help so whatever you have time to post or email me I would be seriously grateful! You are so organized!
You are a genius Wendy! Thanks. I have a yummy really quick recipe for chicken pot pie:
1 can veg-all (or 10 oz. mixed frozen vegies)
1 can cream chicken
1 can cream potato
2 cups cooked, cubed chicken
Pillsbury refrigerated ready pie crust.
Mix and place in pie shells. Cut vents in top. Bake 375 for 45-1 hour until crust is browned. Yummm!
Ok DeAnna, I'll make a deal with you. Every week I'll post the 7 meals that I will be fixing that coordinate with the sales..you'll have to keep checking back each week under my "recipes" link at the top of my page. When I get a lot of recipes posted I'll try to figure how to get them organized better.
Easy pot pie, thanks Sarah. Okay Erin, here's the one you wanted.
DUTCH OVEN SQUIRT CHICKEN
(I actually did it in the crockpot)
1/2 pkg bacon
3 chicken breasts, cubed
6 sliced potatoes
6 thinly sliced carrots
1 large onion, diced
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp liquid smoke (found by Worchestershire/BBQ sauce)
2 cups of Squirt (pop)
2 cups grated cheese
For a crockpot or dutch oven, the bacon needs to be cooked before placed inside of it. Then add all ingredients except cheese and season with salt & pepper. Cook on low for 4-6 hours until vegetables are tender. (The thinner you slice them, the faster they will cook.). If there is too much liquid at the end, remove lid and turn to "high" for 1/2 hour. Top with cheese and snipped green onions
Last night was an easy night...
Grilled Cheese Sandwhiches and Tomato Soup
Everyone knows how to make these, but I use milk with my tomato soup and add fresh cracked ground pepper to make it taste homemade.
Tonight...
Italian Chicken & Rice with Stuffed Mushrooms
4 chicken breasts
1/2-1 package of dry Italian seasoning (or you can use the bottled dressing)
1 cup sour cream
1 pkg cream cheese
Place all ingredients into slow cooker. Season sides of meat with salt and pepper. Cook on low 4-5 hours until chicken falls apart. Add on another hour if chicken is frozen. Serve over rice.
Stuffed Mushrooms
1 pkg. whole mushrooms
1/2 pkg. cream cheese
1 small can chunk chicken (found next to tuna..or use leftover boiled chicken and shred)
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder
In small bowl combine cream cheese, chicken and spices with a spoon and mix. Wash off mushrooms, and twist stem until it pops out. Fill with chicken mixture and place in 8x8 baking dish. Bake at 375 for 15 minutes or until juices run out.
Friday: Hamburgers with Grilled Onions
I make my own patties from ground beef.
1 lb ground beef
1 egg
1/2 cup crushed saltine crackers
1 1/2 tsp McCormick Hamburger Blend Spice
Mix all ingredients and shape into patties. Grill. I toast my buns in the toaster and mix mayo and BBQ sauce for the dressing. Meanwhile I have sliced up one onion into halves and then several slices. I place in pan with 1 T oil, sprinkled with salt and pepper and saute for about 8 minutes until flimsy. Top with tomatoes cheese, lettuce and grilled onions. I serve it with chips and salsa.
Saturday: Lasagna with French Bread
9 lasagna noodles
(cook according to package)
1/2 lb hamburger
2 tsp Italian Seasoning
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1 can tomato soup
1 can tomato paste
3 T sugar
salt & pepper
1 egg
1/2 c grated parmesan cheese
1 carton cottage/ricotta cheese
2 cups grated cheese
Heat hamburger in skillet, cook until brown. Drain. Add everything except egg and cheeses. Heat to a boiling, taste (it should be thick). In another bowl combine egg, parmesan, and cottage cheeses. Add in a little dash of Italian seasoning, salt and pepper here too. Grease dish and start the layers: noodles, meat, cottage cheese making sure to top each time with grated cheese. Spray foil and bake in oven for 45 minutes. (If I'm running short on time I just microwave it for 7 minutes...no foil.)
Boneless Country Style Spareribs
(on sale at Reams and Maceys this week)
1 pgk. ribs
1 bottle favorite BBQ sauce
1 tsp liquid smoke
Place everything in slow cooker and cook for 4 hours on low. Meat should fall apart with fork. I serve this with mashed potatoes and rolls.
SpareRib Fajitas
(hopefully you'll have some leftovers from above recipe)
1 green pepper, sliced
1 onion sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
leftover rib meat, sliced small strips
1/2 cup BBQ sauce
In large pan heat 2 T oil. Add in green peppers and onion. Toss to coat. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes, then add in garlic and meat and BBQ sauce. Heat through. Fill warm tortillas with mixture and top with cheese and fresh tomatoes and sour cream.
Oops! On the Italian Chicken dish, I forgot to write in "1 can of Cream of Chicken Soup"...kinda important for the sauce.
Wendy, you are awesome, thanks! but seriously you don't have to post all your meals all the time - that would take all your time....besides these will keep me busy for a while! You are so sweet.
Hey my friend, it was really nice to see you the other day. I was wondering if you would be willing to send your list to me through e-mail? I did a search for something just like yours. I used to have a master list and lost it. I sure didn't want to make up another. I work for a scrapbook company if you like anything on their website I get it for free shipping. The site is memory-works.com. I love you.
What an awesome idea...I very well may copy you. I will be snagging some of your recipes, thanks!
Hey I am glad I found you! You can check out my blogs...one is for fam the other is scrapping...
Also, my sister has a freezer meal blog...The whole thing is freezer meals. I think it is freezermealdiva.blogspot.com
Make sure to leave her some love if you use her stuff.
Post a Comment