Eat at home

[yupikgal]

Monday: Chicken Soup w/diced carrots, celery, frozen peas, onions, potatoes & noodles and cream of chicken soup
Tuesday: Baked boneless pork chops, dipped in heavy cream/beaten egg, crushed saltine crackers, then browned in a skillet, then baked on 350 for 1.5 hrs, served with boiled red potatoes and steamed veggies (broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, zuchini, squash)
Wednesday: I think I'll make fried rice with the leftover pork, I fried 2 of the chops without the breading, thinking I'd use it for this purpose!
Thursday: Tacos, Mexican Rice and Refried Beans
Friday: Clam Chowder

 

[java]

Just had to thank you all- really the eating in thing is a must for us now that dh is unemployed. It makes it not as bad having you guys going along on this. The menus have saved me a ton. And this weeks grocery bill of $73 is a new low! We are eating well!! The kids thank me every night for dinner!

 

[figment3258]

Just had to thank you all- really the eating in thing is a must for us now that dh is unemployed. It makes it not as bad having you guys going along on this. The menus have saved me a ton. And this weeks grocery bill of $73 is a new low! We are eating well!! The kids thank me every night for dinner!

Sorry to hear about your husband unemployment but glad to hear that you are doing so well with eating in. And that's a great all time low! Woo hooKeep up the good job

 

[figment3258]

This is a little off topic but still very related. Has anyone else noticed the increase in prices at the grocery store? Yesterday I noticed that bread went up from 1.19$ to 1.44$ seasoning went up .64$ to 1.08$ orangesvwent up from .33$ each to .54$ it's just the little things but boy it really jump I am sure there are many more I just didnt remember. It just makes you made gas is shooting up seems like w can't catch a break

 

[LilyWDW]

This is a little off topic but still very related. Has anyone else noticed the increase in prices at the grocery store? Yesterday I noticed that bread went up from 1.19$ to 1.44$ seasoning went up .64$ to 1.08$ orangesvwent up from .33$ each to .54$ it's just the little things but boy it really jump I am sure there are many more I just didnt remember. It just makes you made gas is shooting up seems like w can't catch a break

Expect it to continue going up.

When you take into account the rising prices in gas and a real concern at food shortages, you will see an increase in food prices. China, one of the leading exporters of wheat, has seen a horrible crop this year and there is talk they may stop exporting to keep the food for their own people. This means there will be a larger expectation of the US food crop... which has seen hits itself the last couple of years.

Not only will this impact the obvious items (flour, bread, ect) but will impact many other food groups such as our meat supply.

If you are able to, I suggest stocking up now on items like meat, planning on a small home garden, and visiting your local farms and farmers markets this season. This will all help save costs this upcoming spring and summer.

 

[tinkmom2]

Today was grocery day. I only had to buy a bag of boneless chicken breasts otherwise is was a "meat free week." My bill was $85/ with $26 in coupon savings. I might not go grocery shopping this next week and try to get by on what's in my freezer and pantry. I've got a Disney vacation to pay down

Here is the menu is so far this week
chicken patty sandwiches with french fries
Zatarain's dish chicken and rice (I am having a House Party and got some free coupons)
weekend dish eggplant parm. (I got the baby eggplants which are normally twice as much as the regular for the regular price)
tilapia and potato
something with beef like crockpot pot roast
rice balls from "Deceptively Delicious"
chili dog casserole

 

[charming23]

Our power finally came back on around dinner time (my bff's mom who live across the street had texted me the news) so we came home after watching "Glee". I am so thankful since everything in the fridge and freezer is good. That would have been a huge budget buster for us.

Tonight we are doing meatball subs as we have been cleaning up ice and limbs all day and it is quick and easy.

 

[encinc]

Today is one of those days that I might have been tempted to eat out in the past. But, instead, I have chili pasta in the crockpot that will be ready to eat whenever we are. I had soft tacos on the menu for tonight, but we'll save them for Friday.

So, here's my revised plans for the next few days:
Wednesday: Chili pasta (crockpot)
Thursday: Subs
Friday: Soft Tacos
Saturday: Baked Fish
Sunday: not sure yet. We're probably having out of town friends with food allergies over for dinner, so I'll need to check with her on what she thinks will be "safe"

 

[figment3258]

I was so happy on how my chicken came out last night. I cut the backbone out for the first time and I think that it really does cook a lot better. I brined the bird I dry rubbed the and I basted it with a mixture. It was so moist.

Tonight on the menu is sloppy joes

 

[MacFam4]

Here's what I've got going on for the next couple of weeks:

Th: Sloppy Joe's with sweet potato fries

F: chili

S: tacos with spanish rice

S: chicken teriyaki (crockpot), veggie, rice

M: BBQ sandwiches (crockpot), veggie

T: leftover sandwiches or whatever's in the pantry (DH having surgery)

W: chicken parisienne (crockpot), rice, veggie

Th: beef fajitas (crockpot)

F: Past with shrimp, green beans

S: cowboy spaghetti (Rachael Ray recipe, the boys LOVE it)

S: Ritzy chicken, veggies

M: Honey chicken (crockpot), roll, sweet potato fries

T: pepper steak (crockpot), rice

I just grocery shopped at Wal-mart yesterday and spent $260 for 2 weeks. That's really good for my family because I try to cook enough so DH and I have leftovers for the next day. Plus my DS14 has a big appetite! He comes home from track practice starving I bought several things that were none grocery items, so that wasn't too bad. Plus I've started using coupons and I saved about $10 yesterday.

 

[yupikgal]

MacFam4, your menu sounds great! Can you share some of your recipes, if you don't mind? the chicken parisienne sounds intriguing, and the honey chicken (what type of chicken are you using, a whole one?) as well as the Rachel Ray cowboy spagetti. Thanks!

 

[charming23]

Tonight we are having grilled chicken on top of salad greens with steamed carrots and garlic bread. Desert will be a pepperidge farm mocha bliss cake I got yesterday at the outlet store for $1 on managers special

 

[Emme]

Great thread! You all just inspired me! I have a bit of leftover chicken and the bones from a roaster I made. I will make cream of chicken soup with rice and a loaf of homemade bread for tonights meal. It's Friday so maybe a special dessert as well.
I also planned for tomorrow...
Sat. Grands biscuits stuffed with ground beef, cheese, onions and French Fries and carrots & celery sticks

Will post the rest of the menu later...

 

[java]

Made this last night and it was a hit! Don't let the length of the recipe scare you it was easy- took about an hour and half to cook though so be prepared for that.

Chicken and Dumplings from America's Test Kitchen

Published February 15, 2005.

SERVE 6 TO 8
Don't use low-fat or fat-free milk in this recipe. Start the dumpling dough only when you're ready to top the stew with the dumplings.
INGREDIENTS
Stew
5 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
4 teaspoons vegetable oil
4 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/2 stick)
4 carrots , peeled and sliced 1/4 inch thick
2 ribs celery , sliced 1/4 inch thick
1 large onion , minced
6 tablespoon unbleached all-purpose flour
1/4 cup dry sherry
4 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme leaves
2 bay leaves
1 cup frozen green peas
3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves
Dumplings
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon table salt
1 cup whole milk
3 tablespoons reserved chicken fat (or unsalted butter)
INSTRUCTIONS
1. For the Stew: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, then season with salt and pepper. Heat 2 teaspoons of the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until just smoking. Add half of the chicken and cook until golden on both sides, about 10 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate and remove the browned skin. Pour off the chicken fat and reserve. Return the pot to medium-high heat and repeat with the remaining 2 teaspoons oil and the remaining chicken. Pour off and reserve any chicken fat.

2. Add the butter to the Dutch oven and melt over medium-high heat. Add the carrots, celery, onion, and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook until softened, about 7 minutes. Stir in the flour. Whisk in the sherry, scraping up any browned bits. Stir in the broth, milk, thyme, and bay leaves. Nestle the chicken, with any accumulated juices, into the pot. Cover and simmer until the chicken is fully cooked and tender, about 1 hour.

3. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board. Discard the bay leaves. Allow the sauce to settle for a few minutes, then skim the fat from the surface using a wide spoon. Shred the chicken, discarding the bones, then return it to the stew.

4. For the Dumplings: Stir the flour, baking powder, and salt together. Microwave the milk and fat in a microwave-safe bowl on high until just warm (do not over-heat), about 1 minute. Stir the warmed milk mixture into the flour mixture with a wooden spoon until incorporated and smooth.

5. Return the stew to a simmer, stir in the peas and parsley, and season with salt and pepper. Following the photos below, drop golf-ball-sized dumplings over the top of the stew, about 1/4 inch apart (you should have about 18 dumplings). Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook until the dumplings have doubled in size, 15 to 18 minutes. Serve.

 

[tinkmom2]

Made this last night and it was a hit! Don't let the length of the recipe scare you it was easy- took about an hour and half to cook though so be prepared for that.

I love this recipe! I have the Test Kitchen Cookbook and use it all the time. I use self-rising flour for my dumplings and love it!

 

[figment3258]

Great thread! You all just inspired me! I have a bit of leftover chicken and the bones from a roaster I made. I will make cream of chicken soup with rice and a loaf of homemade bread for tonights meal. It's Friday so maybe a special dessert as well.
I also planned for tomorrow...
Sat. Grands biscuits stuffed with ground beef, cheese, onions and French Fries and carrots & celery sticks

Will post the rest of the menu later...

!

 

[MacFam4]

MacFam4, your menu sounds great! Can you share some of your recipes, if you don't mind? the chicken parisienne sounds intriguing, and the honey chicken (what type of chicken are you using, a whole one?) as well as the Rachel Ray cowboy spagetti. Thanks!

Absolutely!! Here's the Cowboy Spaghetti, and I'll be back in a little while to post the other recipes. Always happy to share

Cowboy Spaghetti (Rachael Ray)

Ingredients
1 pound spaghetti
Salt
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, 1 turn of the pan
3 slices smoky bacon, chopped
1 pound ground sirloin
1 medium onion, chopped
3 to 4 cloves garlic, chopped
Ground black pepper
2 teaspoons hot sauce, eyeball it
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, eyeball it
1/2 cup beer
1 (14-ounce) can, chopped or crushed fire roasted tomatoes
1 (8-ounces) can, tomato sauce
8 ounces sharp Cheddar
4 scallions, chopped
Directions
Heat a pot of water to a boil. Add spaghetti and salt the water. Cook to al dente or with a bite to it.

Heat a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add extra-virgin olive oil and bacon. Brown and crisp bacon, 5 minutes, remove with a slotted spoon. Drain off a little excess fat if necessary. Leave just enough to coat the bottom of the skillet. Add beef and crumble it as it browns, 3 to 4 minutes. Add onions, garlic and stir into meat. Season the meat with salt and pepper, hot sauce and Worcestershire. Add 1/2 cup beer and deglaze the pan. Cook 5 to 6 minutes more then stir in tomatoes and tomato sauce.

Add hot spaghetti to meat and sauce and combine. Adjust seasonings and serve up pasta in shallow bowls. Grate some cheese over the pasta and sprinkle with scallions. Garnish with crisp bacon.

This makes a big batch..we have enough for all 4 of us plus lunch for DH and myself. Also, I use ground turkey instead of beef almost all the time and it still tastes really good Oh, I also don't use the beer. I copied and pasted this from the net, but my cookbook doesn't have the step with the beer.

 

[Emme]

!

Thank you so much!!

Planned a bit more...
Sat. Burgers with homemade buns, pasta salad with veggies and olives (not sure if an olive is a veggie...lol) Seriously what the heck is an olive? Fruit? Veggie? Hmmm will have to Google that.
Sun. Ravioli with oven roasted broccoli and butter and cheese sauce
Mon. Sausage and veggie crockpot stew

**OK UPDATE An olive is a fruit because it has one seed in the middle. I feel better now

 

[tinkmom2]

I have two Groupons that are expiring so I am having a Date night after work today We are going to a nice restaurant and a wine tasting for free tonight! Except for tip of course!

 

[SunnieRN]

I am better posting after the fact. Sorry.

Tuesday, peanut butter and jelly, then at work a lean cuisine and salad. I had nachos in between that I made.

Wednesday, quesadillas, egg rolls and a veggie burger at work (I love egg rolls!)

Thursday, oatmeal, with brown sugar, toast, my kids got pizza, so I had a slice of Alfredo spinach pizza, yum!

Today, hmm haven't eaten yet, no wonder I am hungry. Probably leftover split pea soup and nachos (yep, I'm hungry!). I am making enchiladas for dinner and for the Sunday work potluck.

Tomorrow, I work, so no breakfast, probably leftover enchiladas and a lean cuisine at work.