PLANNING OUR MENU

Last weeks challenge was to try a new recipe and make a familiar favourite one?  If you did, how was your new recipe?  Share if it was good :)

I do this every week as I plan.  One (at least) new recipe, and one tried and true.

Do you know what you have in your freezer?  You will save money if you buy your meats on sale and freeze them in meal sized portions.  But, if you don't know what you have, you are not saving.  This week check out what you have in your freezer and plan 1 meal with something you have there.

Last Weeks Menu

SUNDAY-  David's birthday dinner.  grilled steak and salmon (It was really good.), steamed broccoli, green beans and corn, and "HASSELBACK POTATOES". (new recipe from "Joy the Baker". )  They took less time to prepare than I thought they would.  (I made 16, and did not put the garlic in them.)  Everyone really liked them.  Even my son that does not eat baked potatoes.  I will make these again. 

MONDAY-  Emily and Hilary used their discount coupons to take the whole family (+) for a fun activity and early dinner.  (More in MY 10 THINGS on Tuesday.)

TUESDAY-  Pick-A-Can (Eat what you want.  I did not feel good.)

WEDNESDAY-  German Pancakes (hmmm. Another family favourite I have not posted.)   Doug and I enjoy breakfast so I do breakfast for dinner at least every other week.

THURSDAY-  (I usually do slow cooker meals on Thursday because I have Cub Scout (Wolves) at my house.)  No Scouts this week so I tried "RUSTIC TOMATO TART", (a new pizza recipe from "Lick The Bowl Good").  Man was this good.  Next time (and there will be a next time) I will use prepared pesto instead of the mustard (which was good).  (This was my first free form tart shell.) 

The warm chewy cheese was wonderful.  Since only Doug and I ate here on Thursday, we had left-overs.  They were not that great  (way too soggy).

FRIDAY-  Dinner at our Cub Scout Pack meeting.  I took my Crazy Chocolate Cake.
SATURDAY-  Leslie had a friend over for (part of) the week end.  I tried a new make ahead oatmeal for breakfast.  I found "BAKED PUMPKIN OATMEAL" at Lynn's Kitchen Adventure".  I mixed the dry ingredients (and butter) on Friday night, and told the first one up to add the wet ingredients and bake. 
That was totally unnecessary.  This is a baked oatmeal that you keep in your fridge.  In the morning, remove what you want, heat it up and add milk.
The only change I made to her recipe was to use old fashioned oats instead of quick cooking.
We really liked this.  (in fact I am making more tonight for next week.)  The pumpkin is very mild (but you still have that added vegetable benefit).  The brown sugar and cinnamon are flavoured just right.  I think this is an easy and more healthful alternative for kids than the pre-packaged instant envelopes.

Have fun planning this week if this is something new for you.

Planning Our Menu

I get a lot of questions about what we are having for dinner.
Next week I will post about how I menu plan for flexibility and success. 
This week I'll tell you what we ate. 

SUNDAY - Valentine's Day - Chicken Cordon Bleu, Cashew Pilaf, Asparagus, Strawberry Cream Cheese Pretzel Pie
MONDAY - Chili Dogs (hot dogs left over from pigs in a blanket for kid's lunch on Friday)
TUESDAY - new Chinese Chicken recipe  (o.k., but did not save)
WEDNESDAY - Corn Tortilla Bake  This recipe is in our 30 MEALS/30 DAYS plan.  (An easy and fast family favourite.  I also made a batch for 2 of my married kids for dinner.  Bring back my dishes.)
THURSDAY - LUNCH - Baked Egg Rolls (from Red Couch Recipes ).  Instead of frying, I brushed a bit of oil on the top and baked (seam side down) at 425* for 7 - 10 mins.  I turned them over and baked 3 -5 mins.  We really liked these.  (I am making them again next week.)
DINNER - SLOW COOKER TOMATO BASIL SOUP (from 365 Days of Crockpot.  Click on her Good Things Utah link.) with grilled cheese sandwiches.   This was easy and Doug and I really loved it.  The daughter that ate it said she liked my other recipe better.  (My usual one is harder to make, but we will do a taste test.)  This stays in my file.  (I used 1 2/3 cup shredded carrots, no celery and 1/4 cup butter instead of the called for 1/2 cup.)
FRIDAY - Left overs.  A kidult was having a party.
SATURDAY - Left overs from the party pasta bar :)

Do you plan your meals ahead of time?  It saves money, time and stress. 
As you plan your menu for next week try to include 1 new recipe you have wanted to try, and 1 tried and true.  Have a great holiday week end.