What's for dinner?

I try to be a frugal kinda gal.  I know the lowest prices on the items I buy regularly and try to stock up on them at the low price, so when the go "off" sale I don't pay the higher price.  Canned food, pastas, frozen veggies - you name it I stock pile it.

Meat is no exeption.  I buy ground beef (or turkey if the price is right) and chicken breasts when they go on special.  I have a super cool vacuum sealer (thanks to the in-laws) that helps package the food for an extra long freezer shelf life.

There is, however, a downside to that.  When the meat has been frozen for 3 months, it takes a little work getting it to thaw.  Most weekends I meal plan and move the required meat from the freezer to the fridge.  Typically this happens Saturday, and by Tuesday the meat is defrosted and ready to go.

The hitch is when I'm not home over the weekend, or things are too crazy to set my meal plan.

 Like this weekend.

Tuesday night we ate with my parents and meal planning was the furttherest thing from my mind.  Wednesday I used the ground beef I'd put in the fridge on Friday. 

Last night I was stumped.  By the time I got home and did my train wreck dancing workout DVD it was late.  I was sluggish and tired and didn't feel like cooking anything.  Jay was no help, so I just about settled on Ramen for the evening.  Ramen is my lazy "go to" meal.  Which wouldn't be bad, but we eat 2 packages (4 servings) each.  That's 760 calories for nothing but a big pile of noodles.

At the last minute I decided I wasn't going to feed my body crap.  I deserved better.  Jay deserved better.

I had a green and a red pepper in the freezer so I decided I was going to fix my favorite meatless meal: Italian Peppers and Rice.

Its a recipe that I pulled off my favorite recipe site that originally called for pork chops, but Jay isn't a big fan and said he's prefer to just save money and eat it meatless.  (Click the link for the original recipe.)

Then I had the brilliant idea to replace it with chick peas so that we would still have a protein source.

I've never tried it with the frozen pepper and onion blend that I stockpile, but I'm sure that would be yum also.

Jay thinks its a bit bland, so he adds teryiaki (don't ask, I have no idea) but I think its quite tasty.  I'm convinced that he's killed his taste buds with smokeless tobacco because if a food isn't spicy (think Mexican/Cajun) then he has to add season all or something to jazz it up.

Its definitely a good choice for a quick and easy meal!

For you foodies out there, what would you suggest to spice this dish up, while still staying in the same taste family? 

Menu Plan Monday - Grace and Love Editon

My husband and I have discussed what’s different in my life, as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, and in his life, with a belief in God generally. What has the saving power of Jesus done to make me a different person.

I told him Saturday night anytime I was angry, hateful, or judgmental those are times that I’m in control. The times that I’m sweet, loving, and generous are 100% the Holy Spirit working in me.

Unfortunately yesterday, he caught me on a “me” day. I could give you a million excuses...um...reasons why I was in a bad mood on Sunday – a week of exercising followed by not enough sleep, being woken up by my night owl husband at 2, 4 and 6 in the morning and taking at least 30 minutes to fall back to sleep, the first week in my pill pack (hateful PMS usually waits till the week after, I’m just weepy the week before).

Bottom line – my actions almost cause my husband to not go to church and miss a sermon on “The Glory of Galgotha.” By the grace of God, he went any way. Even held my hand on the way into church (he said he didn’t want me to slip in the wet parking lot).

So apparently, my husband is just a better person than me. Sure he does things that annoy me – like waking me up at odd hours of the night. And putting trash on top of the trash can lid, rather than lifting the lid and actually putting trash in the can.

He loves me so much, that he wanted to hold my hand in church. He loves me so much, that after dinner he agreed to go to my parents even though he didn’t want to. He loves me so much that he (a workaholic in training) put aside his work for an entire the majority of the day yesterday.

While I failed at this past week’s challenge (I was always just wearing sweats, yoga pants to be exact – what can I say I’ve got a booty and a half!) it didn’t matter. Last night we had a wonderfully intimate evening. Not just in that way. But also lying on the couch, snuggling, sharing a bag of pretzels while we watch Monk and Psych (my mom let us borrow her tape).

So when a client called him at 10:30 last night, I didn’t seem to mind so much. I pulled the covers up, asked Jesus to reveal Himself to my husband, asked for forgiveness for my behavior, and fell asleep knowing I have the love of the two most important people in my life.

Moving on to my meal plan for the week (aka how I repay my husband for being so great):


Monday: Stir fry (meatless)
I’m just doing rice and veggies. It’ll be my first attempt. Not sure if I should fry the rice from the start, or boil it then bring it into the skillet to be fried a little bit.

Tuesday: Beef Stew
I bought a 10 lb bag of potatoes at the grocery store and they are starting to go bad.

Wednesday: Chicken Parm. w/baked potatoes

Thursday: Hamburger Helper

Friday: Leftovers or Ramen noodles

Menu Plan Monday - the Lent Edition

Monday: Omelets

Eggs were on sale last week $0.99 for a dozen, so I got two. Now I’m trying to figure out how to use them up.

Tuesday: Spaghetti

I’m going to make a double batch to freeze. Normally I make it with a packet of McCormick’s seasoning and a can of tomato paste, I think I’m going to add a can of Italian diced tomatoes and a green pepper to the mix.

Wednesday: Salsa Chicken with corn

Thursday: Black Bean Soup
I’ve had this on the menu all month, and I’ve yet to make it. Hopefully I’ll get it done this week.

Friday: Ramen noodles

I try to do something easy on Fridays, most weeks I only end up cooking 4 days a week. I leave Friday open with a quick/easy plan that requires nothing to be thawed. That way if I end up not cooking it, I’m not stuck with any meat to use before it goes bad.

I’ve got a question for those of you that observe Lent – is Friday completely meatless or can you use meat seasonings (like chicken flavored ramen) or chicken? Also is Sunday your free day to indulge?

My cousin always has sworn that Baptist’s don’t participate in lent because we give up everything year round (drinking, dancing) and are submissive to our husbands.

Thankfully, I’m saved by the blood of Christ, not the faith of the Baptist church, otherwise, I’d be in trouble! I’m not a very good Baptist.

For more great meal ideas, check out Menu Plan Monday!

Menu Plan Monday: Growing Family Edition

This weekend we welcomed a new member to the family – Inez the donkey! My Papaw got her because he lost a calf last month due to a coyote. Donkeys are great at protecting cattle. Inez is a sweetheart (and a good judge of character - she likes me best!) I hope to post pictures tomorrow.

On to the menu for the week:

Monday: Leftovers
I have leftovers from TI Friday’s lunch yesterday (sizzling chicken and cheese) and will feed mr. right leftovers of chicken spaghetti from the end of last week. I’ll probably need to open a can of green beans and make some bread to finish out the meal.

Tuesday: Leftover tacos
We went to a friend’s house for dinner this weekend and they sent us home with hard taco shells and taco seasoned ground beef. I’m going to heat them along with a can of refried beans and call it a meal.

Wednesday: BBQ Pork chops & au gratin potatoes
This will be my first time marinating anything, but my mom swears that its easy.

Thursday: Black Bean Soup
http://hillbillyhousewife.com/blackbeansoup.htm
This was on the menu for last week, but I ended up going to the dentist with mr. right and didn’t want to have to wait for it to cook. We had ramen noodles instead.

Friday: Pizza
I’m helping to set up for a charity event on Saturday. They’ll provide us with pizza for helping Friday night with the set up. If mr. right doesn’t get an opportunity to swing by and help, I suppose he’ll have taco bell on the way home for dinner.

Menu Plan Monday: The Sore Loser Edition

First off let me say congrats to Kurt Warner for being named the 2008 NFL Man of the Year!

And as the sore loser that I am, I’ll share a joke with you dedicated to the refs of last night’s Super Bowl, who didn’t bother to review the last play of the game.

A hardcore football fan dies and goes to heaven. After meeting Jesus, he is excited to learn that he’s surrounded by NFL greats. After a little while, he works up his nerve to ask St. Peter about them.

“I noticed that Reggie White, Kurt Warner, and other great players are here in heaven. We even have a great coach in Tony Dungee. So why don’t they ever play any games?”

St. Peter turns to the man and says “We can’t…we don’t have any referees.”

I tell that joke with all the love in my heart, because my father is a high school football referee. He’s having surgery on his knee tomorrow (a football battle scar) so please keep him in your prayers, along with my mother. According to her, he’s not the best patient in the world.

On to my menu plan for the week:

Monday: Pizza, leftover chili-cheese dip, and popcorn
Tuesday: Hamburger Helper (Lasagna I think)
Wednesday: Black Bean Soup – Mr. Right has a dentist appointment, so I wanted to make something easy to eat
Thursday: Chicken Spaghetti – Recipe below, given to me by a coworker
Friday: Birthday dinner for a friend. We happen to have a gift certificate for the restaurant she chose, thanks to one of Mr. Right’s clients.

Chicken Spaghetti1 can chicken
1 can cream of chicken soup (she uses cream o’mushroom, but I have a spore phobia)
1 can rotel (diced tomatoes w/jalepenos)
1 can tomato sauce
spaghetti noodles
Cook noodles with 2 chicken bouillon cubes
Mix remaining ingredients, microwave 5-8 minutes

For more great meal ideas, head on over to Menu Plan Monday

Menu Plan Monday

This week I'm going to try a couple of different recipes I've snagged from my bloggity buddies.

Monday: Pizza roll up thingy

I forgot the recipe (with the link to the person I got this from) at home.

Basically just take pizza crust, coat in pizza sauce, add cheese and toppings then roll up and bake. when done, slice.

gonna try it to keep pizza, popcorn, & a movie night from getting boring.

Tuesday: Bacon Bow tie Pasta

Although I'm not sure if I'm going to use real bacon or not. I asked my hubby to fry me a few pieces last night for use later in the week - and he loves bacon too much to "waste" it crumbling it up. "That's what bacon bits are for."

Wednesday: Fet. Alfredo

Had it on the menu for last week, and something else came up instead. Only I can't remember what. I'm sure it was delish though! :P

Thursday: Sloppy Joe Hot Dish

I got it from the Kraft food magazine, but apparently they don't have it posted on their web site. Basically its everything sloppy joe, only you bake it like a casserole with crescent rolls (or crescent creations). This works well in my house, since we rarely have light bread or hamburger buns.

Friday: Fast Food/Canned soup

I'm participating in a yard sale this weekend, and am going to try to set up Friday night. Depending on how long it takes me we'll either come home and have some canned soup or else grab Taco Bell on the way home.

For more great menu ideas head on over to Org Junkie's Menu Plan Monday

Menu Plan Monday

Okay this'll be a quick one since its a holiday...and i'm in sweats watching it snow outside!!!! (no accumulation yet).

Monday:

Chili Mac (hamburger helper)

Sure I could be more adventurous on my day off, but why? I told Mr. Right what we were having for the week and he picked this for today.

Tuesday:
Chicken Fettichini Alfredo

I love tuna helper. I can't remember why I add chicken to tuna helper, rather than buying the chicken helper. But there is a reason, I promise.

Wednesday:

Christmas leftover ham

Out of the freezer of course. I'm gonna put it on buns, and toast them with cheese. Will probably do green beans and a boxed potato with it.

Thursday:

Tamales

A friend gave me this recipe to try and this'll be our first time around with it

1 large can of tamales
1 can of corn
1 can of chili

top tamales with corn and chili, then cover with cornbread and bake.

Friday:

our veggisaurus meal for the week

Rice & green peppers

A variation of Italian Pork Chop Dinner. Last time we had it, Mr. Right said that he would like it just as well without the meat, so we'll try it out.

My guess is that he'll be hungry just a few hours later, but we'll see.

For more menu plans, check out Org Junkie's site.

Menu Plan Monday

I'm still on the lookout for something I can fix before I go to work on Friday (or in the breakroom @ work) that Mr. Right and I can eat on the way to his parents house Friday after work. We'll be going as soon as I get off work, so no time to prepare anything (we've got a 6 hour drive ahead of us). Any ideas would be appreciated!

Monday: Taco Dip w/tortilla chips
I can of refried beans on the bottom of a pan
1 lb. of taco seasoned meat is the next layer
1 jar of salsa is the next layer
1 package of cheddar or Mexican cheese is the top layer

Bake at 350 for half an hour or until cheese is completely melted.

Tuesday: Stir Fry
I went to a Japanese steakhouse on Friday and have plenty of rice and steak leftover. I'll add a bag of stirfry veggies, and a salad and we'll make dinner of it. (Makes me feel much less guilty for the pricy splurge that evening.)

Wednesday: Black Beans & Rice
I borrowed a recipe from another blogger on how to make this a little more interesting (including rotel, sour cream & some other yumminess), but I can't remember who's it came from to link back. If you posted about it last week - raise your hand!

Thursday: Ramen noodles
Not all that healthy, but Mr. Right loves them. I put them on the menu because I suspect we'll have plenty of taco dip left and will have leftovers instead. But just incase I do have a backup plan!

Friday: ???

Head on over to Organizing Junkie for more weekly menus/recipes!

Menu Plan Monday

I've got January taken care of already! :) It'll change somewhat, given different sales or activities that keep us from eating at home. Here's my weekly outline:

Monday: Pizza and popcorn
Since discovering free Monday night Redbox codes, this is starting to become a tradition.

Tuesday: Fiesta Chili Mac

I've modified this somewhat. I just use a box of shells & cheese rather than velveeta and noodles. Also, I leave out the chicken. The recipe is so rich with flavor that the chicken gets lost and is an unnecessary expense.

Wednesday: Hamburger Helper Beef Stroganoff

I stock piled last time I had several $0.50 off purchase of 3 coupons and Kroger had them on sale for $1 each. Since I don't cook HH as much anymore, they are starting to get close to their expiration date. We'll be eating at least one HH meal a week for the month of January.

Thursday: Cheesy chicken & rice

Friday: Dinner out with friends.

Menu Plan Monday

This week I won't be doing much cooking, thanks to Christmas leftovers and New Years celebrations.

Tonight we're going to continue our Monday Movie night

Monday: Pizza, popocorn
Tuesday: Ham leftovers with boxed au gratin potatoes and a canned veggie
Wednesday: Weenie Roast w/fries (deep fried in my mom's new Fry Daddy she got for Christmas)
Thursday: Chicken Fetticni Alfredo (I used boxed tuna helper, but add chicken instead)
Friday: Hamburger Helper Lasagna

I stocked up when Kroger had HH meals for $1 each (and I had several $0.25 off 3 coupons, that Kroger doubled). I didn't realize they reached their expiration date so quickly.

Mr. Right and I will be eating HH at least once a week for the next month or so!

Menu Plan Monday

This week I've got a couple of Christmas parties, so I'm only planning for 3 nights. I'm having girlfriends over on Wednesday, my office party on Friday and family over (potluck) on Saturday.

Monday: Ziti w/black olive and sun riped tomato sauce and salad
(its one of those 90 second sauces that I got almost free at Wal-mart)

Tuesday: Cheesy Chicken and Rice (see below)

Wednesday: GNO

Thursday: Salsa Chicken

Friday: Christmas party

Since I don't get home in time to wait on a casserole to bake, I'm going to try this in the crockpot. My trusted cooking advisor says to just put the chicken on bottom and the rice on top and all should be well.

Cheesy Chicken & Rice Casserole

1 can Cream of Chicken Soup 1 1/3 cups water
1/2 tsp. onion powder 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
2 cups frozen mixed vegetables 4 skinless, chicken breasts halves
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese 3/4 cup uncooked regular long-grain white rice

Stir the soup, water, rice, onion powder, black pepper and vegetables in an 11 x 8-inch (2-quart) shallow baking dish. Top with the chicken. Season the chicken as desired. Cover. Bake at 375°F. for 50 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the rice is tender. Top with cheese. Let casserole stand for 10 minutes. Stir rice before serving.

Menu Plan Monday

Monday: he's in charge (its our anniversary)
Tuesday: Chicken Alfredo
Wednesday: Burritos
Thursday: Chicken Pie
Friday: Veggies

Chicken Pie
2 pie crusts
1 can cream o' soup
1 can vegall
1 lb ckn
1 tbsp sour cream

mix together then spoon into pie crusts. bake on 375 for 25-20 minutes.

for more great menu ideas, check out Menu Plan Monday!

Menu Plan Monday - Back on the Wagon

Even though we're still in the process of moving, I'm going to attempt a menu for the week - but no promises we're sticking to it.

Monday - Pizza

this is assuming Mr. Right remembers to get it out of his freezer before he leaves his apartment to work on the house

Tuesday - Olive Garden leftovers

We took my mom out to eat this weekend for her birthday and left with a bagful of food. We don't have our microwave installed yet, but I can reheat the pasta on my beautiful new cook top stove. :)

Wednesday - Salsa chicken

If we work on the house we'll switch things around, but this is definitely a stay at the apartment and pack kinda meal

Thursday - Shells & Cheese

Depending on which location we're at, it may be just two boxes of shells and cheese. If we're at the apartment packing up, I'll make Tex Mex Shells and cheese with ground beef, chili ready diced tomatoes, and the shells and cheese.

Friday - Dinner with friends

The Melting Pot! :) I've never been to a fondue restaurant before and I'm very much looking forward to it!!

For more menu planning ideas, head over to Menu Plan Monday.

Menu Plan Monday

Can you believe after all that work on this week's plan, I've got nothing? I tried to plan out what could be made on an electric skillet, george foreman, or crockpot since we're closing on the house today and will be working there for the next week with no appliances.

With the planning stage done, I comment to Mr. Right before I start laying everything out and packing up the necessary supplies. Bad move on my part. I expected to be praised for my hard work. Instead I was told that we wouldn't be over there every evening and he wasn't sure how much time we would be spending over there.

In his language, that means that at the last minute our plans may change and we might have something else to do after work. In my language he was telling me my hard work was for nothing. This control freak doesn't like plans changing at the last minute.

I got all huffy and quit packing, and now we have nothing for this week except for sandwich meat that I purchased last week.

Monday & Tuesday: In-laws visiting (we typically eat out)
Wednesday & Thursday: Whatever we can catch
Friday: Dinner with friends

For this week I get an A+ in stubbornness and a D- in thriftiness (we'll at least do the dollar menu for Wednesday & Thursday).

For some actual ideas on planning your week, check out Menu Plan Monday.

Menu Plan Monday

Trying a new recipe this week, hopefully it'll turn out well.

Monday: Broccoli Pasta Toss - a favorite of mine, using frozen broccoli so it doesn't have a taste but we still get our veggies. the recipe calls for chicken, but i leave it out and neither of us seem to notice

Broccoli and Chicken Pasta Toss

2-1/2 cups penne pasta, uncooked
3 cups fresh broccoli florets
1/4 cup Italian Dressing
1/2 lb. Chicken breasts
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups tomato-basil spaghetti sauce
1 cup KRAFT 2% Milk Shredded Reduced Fat Mozzarella Cheese
COOK pasta in large saucepan as directed on package, adding broccoli to the boiling water for the last 3 min. MEANWHILE, heat dressing in large nonstick skillet on medium heat. Add chicken and garlic; cook 5 min. or until chicken is no longer pink, stirring occasionally. Stir in spaghetti sauce; cook 5 min. or until chicken is cooked through, stirring occasionally. DRAIN pasta mixture; return to pan. Add chicken mixture; mix lightly. Serve topped with the cheese.


Tuesday: Veggisaurus Chili Mac new recipe

Wednesday: fast food - basketball with the guys, so i won't be going back to his place to cook.

Thursday: Spaghetti and french bread, the girls are coming over to help with wedding flowers, so it'll be a double batch.

Friday: Fish sticks and fries, my usual standby Friday dinner. Eventually they'll get eaten and be out of my freezer forever! in the mean time, i'm just trying to eat a few at a time to make room for something else.

For other meal plan ideas check out Menu Plan Monday

Menu Plan Monday

Monday: Leftovers

My tomato-basil meatless dish wasn't well received, but it was decent enough that we'll be finishing it off (with homemade irish soda bread and green beans) for dinner tonight. I'm adding a little ground beef and another can of tomato sauce to try to stretch it a little more (he said it was too dry first time around).

Tuesday: Tuna Helper, Cheesy Pasta

Only I put in chicken rather than tuna. There is a reaason I don't use chicken helper, but I can't remember it at the moment.

Wednesday: Monthiversary!!
Mr. Right and I met on October 13th, so the 13th of every month we celebrate! This always includes him taking care of dinner for the evening.

Thursday: Chili

Mr. Right's favorite dish

Friday: Brocoli Pasta Toss

Our meatless effort for the week, as well as my attempt to make us eat veggies.

Menu Plan Monday

My menu for this week will be a little brief, since I have plans after work a couple of days.

Monday - TexMex Minestrone leftovers

we never have leftovers so i was very suprised that we only ate half. It was delicious!!

Tuesday - Baseball game, food provided

No, we're not pigging out on $5 nachoes and $4 hot dogs. The bank my parents use(they are in the old people club, it has a catch name, so catchy i can't remember) is having their annual party for their members in the sky box. They provide food and the old people can come, enjoy, and bring guests.

Wednesday - Alfredo. We were supposed to have this last week, but didn't since his parents were in town for a couple of days. I just moved it to this week on the menu.

Thursday - Girls Night In w/friends. Mr. Right is on his own. The host is providing the food, i just have to bring tortilla chips.

Friday - Pancakes, sausage or bacon.