Eat at home

[pigletto]

I haven't posted on here lately. I'll tell you why.. because we've been eating out WAY too much. Maybe 2 nights a week plus some lunches. Not much in the grand scheme of things but way too much for my budget philosiphy. So I'm back in.. I'd like to save the eating out money for our upcoming trip

Tonight.. Roast, Potato, Carrots, Salad, Crescent Rolls.
Tomorrow.. breakfast for dinner (ham, pancakes, eggs and fruit)
Sunday.. Grocery Day. I think I will pick up the fixings for Spaghetti Pie since it's quick.

Monday is my birthday. Not sure what I want for dinner that night yet. Maybe take out from my favorite Thai place, which won't break the budget rules, because I have a gift card from Christmas

 

[figment3258]

Thanks for this post because we have not gone out for dinner at all this month! I know we still have a few days to go, but we will make it.

We are saving more money than I thought we could!

Making homemade pizzas tonight
Roast on Saturday
Leftovers on Sunday

Way to go!

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

My life is crazy right now. We have my mil going through surgery today so we are waiting but I think we did ok this week

Monday was blts
Tuesday was grilled cheese and soup
Wednesday was American chop souy
Thursday we slipped pizza out but only 17$ for everyone 5 people
Friday chicken with rice


Here's to a better week

Hope your MIL is on the mend!

night before last I made chicken tortilla soup, and last night to celebrate my husband's new job promotion, we went out and had pizza & salads! Very yummy, and we have leftovers, which is always great!

Congrats on the promotion!

Being bad tonight...

I feel like crud... sore throat, exhausted, achy, and just yucky. Mom has a late night at work due to it being month end. So, we are grabbing a pizza. I hate the idea, but I really hate the thought of cooking tonight the way I feel. This way I can take a little nap instead.

We did the same thing. I'm on day 2 of a migraine so I didn't feel like cooking. Pizza Hut it was! Feel better soon.

I haven't posted on here lately. I'll tell you why.. because we've been eating out WAY too much. Maybe 2 nights a week plus some lunches. Not much in the grand scheme of things but way too much for my budget philosiphy. So I'm back in.. I'd like to save the eating out money for our upcoming trip

Tonight.. Roast, Potato, Carrots, Salad, Crescent Rolls.
Tomorrow.. breakfast for dinner (ham, pancakes, eggs and fruit)
Sunday.. Grocery Day. I think I will pick up the fixings for Spaghetti Pie since it's quick.

Monday is my birthday. Not sure what I want for dinner that night yet. Maybe take out from my favorite Thai place, which won't break the budget rules, because I have a gift card from Christmas

Happy Birthday!

Still need one more meal idea for our week. Publix has crab legs on sale but I have never tried to cook them. We LOVE to get them at Red Lobster but that is $$$. Any suggestions on how to cook these? How much would you buy per person?

 

[MollyMcDaniel]

I love, love, love this thread! I decided to try cooking at home for a couple of weeks and not eat out at all. Really the main reason is it is so dang cold here that I would rather stay home where it is nice and warm. I made a list the past two Saturdays with 7 days worth of meals plus breakfast stuff. Also, our 7 yr old DD likes to take her lunch to school. It has worked out so nicely. I tried a couple of new recipes that we really liked. They were easy and not too pricey.

The biggest bonus was that our checking account has not taken a hit. So thank you for the inspiration! The real issue is planning....not too hard to cook if it is all sitting in your fridge or pantry waiting for you.

A few favs and I will be happy to share the recipes:

easy sausage ravioli lasagna
beef brisket (eat 1/2 and freeze the rest...it is truly heaven on a plate)
taco twist
white chicken chili
gourmet chicken fingers (not what you think....yummo)
salmon cakes
penne with garlic, shroom, proscuitto cream sauce
chicken tettrazini

Thanks again....loving the ideas.

 

[gottalluvmickey]

my family has eaten out way too much lately.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

I love, love, love this thread! I decided to try cooking at home for a couple of weeks and not eat out at all. Really the main reason is it is so dang cold here that I would rather stay home where it is nice and warm. I made a list the past two Saturdays with 7 days worth of meals plus breakfast stuff. Also, our 7 yr old DD likes to take her lunch to school. It has worked out so nicely. I tried a couple of new recipes that we really liked. They were easy and not too pricey.

The biggest bonus was that our checking account has not taken a hit. So thank you for the inspiration! The real issue is planning....not too hard to cook if it is all sitting in your fridge or pantry waiting for you.

A few favs and I will be happy to share the recipes:

easy sausage ravioli lasagna
beef brisket (eat 1/2 and freeze the rest...it is truly heaven on a plate)
taco twist
white chicken chili
gourmet chicken fingers (not what you think....yummo)
salmon cakes
penne with garlic, shroom, proscuitto cream sauce
chicken tettrazini

Thanks again....loving the ideas.

Could you share your beef brisket recipe? Sounds delish!

 

[charming23]

Tonight we were going to have roasted chicken but someone forgot to get it out of the freezer yesterday. So instead we are having sloppy joes with applesauce and salad.

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

Could you share your beef brisket recipe? Sounds delish!

I second this!!! Please post!

 

[yupikgal]

Last night I hosted a party for Wildtree and made Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo and a Mexican Skillet meal with Flax seed bread, garlic galore dip, european balsamic vinegrette, heavenly chocolate mousse in a graham cracker crust! It was delicious and sooo easy to make!

 

[disneydreamersx4]

Would love your recipe for Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo please
Always looking for new ways to make chicken

 

[jsmla]

We went out for lunch to our favorite burger place with DD today. STILL haven't made it to the store. Leftovers tonight. I think I'm losing steam

Jennifer

 

[disneymom3]

I really need this thread to keep up my plan. We have not had any drinks, lunch or dinner since Tuesday. I know that's not long but it had gotten really crazy. My goal is at minimum one more week. Then I will re-evaluate. My boys and I do have a gathering at a pizza place after our co-op this week, so we will by buying lunch but I have planned ahead for it.

I took a look at our budget and realized how very much we waste on dining out, bringing home, whatever. We could really put a lot more in savings if I get a handle on this, so that's my goal.

Tonight we are having left over pork loin, stuffing and salad.

 

[disneymom3]

I love, love, love this thread! I decided to try cooking at home for a couple of weeks and not eat out at all. Really the main reason is it is so dang cold here that I would rather stay home where it is nice and warm. I made a list the past two Saturdays with 7 days worth of meals plus breakfast stuff. Also, our 7 yr old DD likes to take her lunch to school. It has worked out so nicely. I tried a couple of new recipes that we really liked. They were easy and not too pricey.

The biggest bonus was that our checking account has not taken a hit. So thank you for the inspiration! The real issue is planning....not too hard to cook if it is all sitting in your fridge or pantry waiting for you.

A few favs and I will be happy to share the recipes:

easy sausage ravioli lasagna
beef brisket (eat 1/2 and freeze the rest...it is truly heaven on a plate)
taco twistwhite chicken chili
gourmet chicken fingers (not what you think....yummo)
salmon cakes
penne with garlic, shroom, proscuitto cream sauce
chicken tettrazini
Thanks again....loving the ideas.

I would like to hear more about the ones I bolded. I need to use up some leftover chicken.

Any other ideas for left over chicken would be great. It's a whole chicken, we ate the majority of for dinner the other night. Not enough left for the main item but in something else it would be fine.

Hope your MIL is on the mend!



Still need one more meal idea for our week. Publix has crab legs on sale but I have never tried to cook them. We LOVE to get them at Red Lobster but that is $$$. Any suggestions on how to cook these? How much would you buy per person?

I have not tried to cook them either, but I am pretty sure you just drop them in a pot of boiling water with a bit of salt in it.

 

[MollyMcDaniel]

Could you share your beef brisket recipe? Sounds delish!

Roast Beef Brisket

brisket...I usually can find 4-5 lb.
2 jars Franco American gravy
1 pkg. Lipton onion soup
1 can mushrooms
1/2 c. low-sodium soy sauce

Place the brisket in a baking dish. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and pour over brisket. Cover and bake at 300* for 1 hour per pound. Cool for easy slicing.

*I make a sauce to go with this if I'm eating it as a sandwich. I mix equal parts mayo and sour cream. Add a heaping spoonful of prepared horseradish and 1/2 tsp dry thyme. mmmmm good.

 

[tinkmom2]

My new food blog is up! Come and follow me!
http://tinkmomfoodie-foodobsession.blogspot.com/2011/01/saturday-chineese-eat-in-instead-of.html

 

[MollyMcDaniel]

Taco Twist (not gourmet but satisfying and EASY!)

1 lb ground beef
1 pkg taco seasoning
2 c cooked macaroni
1/4 c green pepper, chopped
1 c sour cream
1 c grated cheddar
1 can tomato sauce

Brown beef and green pepper; drain. Stir in seasoning and tomato sauce. Bring to a boil and remove from heat. In another bowl, combine macaroni, 1/2 c cheese and sour cream. Place in a baking dish and top with the meat mixture and remaining cheese. Bake at 350* 30 min.

Turkey or Chicken Tettrazinni

10 oz spaghetti
1/2 c butter
1/4 c flour
2 3/4 c broth
1 c half and half
1/4 c dry sherry
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 can mushrooms (or saute fresh)
1 small jar pimento
1/2 c parmesan cheese
2 c turkey or chicken, cooked and shredded

Cook spaghetti...Melt butter, add flour. Cook until bubbles. Add broth and half n half; cook until thick. Add rest and turn into baking pan. Sprinkle w/parmesan. Bake 350* about 40 min.
I don't use a recipe, so I was approximating the amounts. Enjoy!

 

[tasha99]

I ate out every night last week (fast food ) What a horrible thing to do to my budget and my health! It's just I get home from student teaching, have a short time before DS has to go to karate, and I have to write my major project (what our program has instead of a thesis) at night! I am too busy to cook during the week.

So I planned out 5 meals and cooked them all today! It took 3.5 hours.

We're having:

Turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, green bean casserole (I used turkey drumsticks and thighs).

Lasagna (there was extra sauce for the kids to use as spagetti sauce as well)

Parmesan-mushroom-wine chicken and spiral noodles

Tostadas (made the refried beans and shredded the cheese today)

Kung Pao shrimp and fried rice

I'm pooped now. Glad DBF just called and said he wants to go out to dinner, lol.

 

[cheshireqt]

Going shopping today, should have more snow by Tuesday! These are the menus I have planned for the week and a start on the next week.

Sun - Potato soup with crusty bread
Mon - Cheese Enchiladas, rice and black beans
Tues - Porkchops with cooked apples, salad
Wed - eat at Church
Thurs - Chicken n Dumplings
Fri - Pizza (costco make your own)
Sat - Spaghetti with turkey meat sauce, bread and salad

Sun - Broccoli/Chicken Crescent Squares for lunch/ baked potatoes with varied toppings for supper
Mon - Baked Ziti

 

[Soarin_04]

Or sites like it?

Love it!

Things have gotten INSANE with my kids' after school activities and work's kicked up in a big way here, so unless I want to hit the drive through (not an option since -- no joke -- my kids would rather eat dirt than fast food), I do the once-a-month cooking thing, freeze bunches of stuff, and then we just have to reheat and eat.

The Once-A-Month site even has breakfast recipes (breakfast burritos are our favorites), and since 2011 started, they've added low-fat / light recipes as well.

Here you go...http://onceamonthmom.com/

Just spending one day making ahead meals for the week or month makes things so much easier.

 

[cheshireqt]

I would like to hear more about the ones I bolded. I need to use up some leftover chicken.

Any other ideas for left over chicken would be great. It's a whole chicken, we ate the majority of for dinner the other night. Not enough left for the main item but in something else it would be fine.

Just an idea for the left over chicken. I have it listed in my menu writeup for the next week and half. Sorry it is not precise, I just usually eyeball how much chicken I have to work with and adjust from there, more cream cheese/or less, more broccoli to fill in/or less. The main thing is to try to evenly eyeball the amount of mixture to squares so it comes our even. My kids love this:

Chicken Crescent Squares
-2 cans Pillsbury or store brand crescent rolls (dough in a can)
-shredded chicken (about a cup and half worth)
-8 oz cream cheese
-veg of choice (I use about a third of a large bag of frozen Broccoli tops-not spears)
-Seasoning of choice (we use Montreal Spice for Chicken)

Heat/defrost the broccoli, chop into smaller bits in a bowl. Add cream cheese. The heat from the broccoli helps to melt it a bit and makes it easier to stir. Add spice and then chicken.
Roll out the crescent dough on a baking sheet and cut along the perforations for the rectangles (not the triangles). Place 3 to 4 tablespoons of chicken mixture into the middle of each rectangle and fold the ends over to cover mix, pinch ends to seal it in. Carefully flip over so seam is down. Cook in 350 degree oven until golden brown, about 10 minutes.
This recipe can be easily halved.