Yesterday I was making my dinner menu for the week and I couldn't think of a single thing that sounded good. So I put my 'status' on facebook and within minutes and ideas! You can bet I'll be doing that again. So I thought that I would post what I decided to make for the week. This is how I do dinner menus.
-I decide on 5 meals, because we usually have enough leftovers for the other 2. If not there's always macncheese.
-I do not decide what day to make them. I just choose meals, buy the ingredients and then decide that morning what sounds good that day.
-I try to have at least one meal a week without meat. Because deep deep down I hate touching it. And budget reasons.
-I try for a soup a week. Kev doesn't really like soup so if we find one he does like I end up making it a lot. But I am branching out.
-One new recipe a week. This is a new rule.
-I also try to buy as much in the fresh produce section as possible.
-My budget is about $50 a week. If I stick to my list then I'm good, even under. But I usually remember a couple things that I could use so I'm usually right at that.
-I also try to pick a 'meat of the week'. So like this week something sounded good with chicken, so all the other meals had to do with chicken so I could buy in bulk. Make sense?
Without further adeu, here is my oh-so-exciting dinner menu for the week.
Lemon Cream Pasta with Veggies & Homemade French Bread (new recipe and I'm making it tonight!)
Chicken Parmesan and Salad and Homemade Garlic Bread (from the french bread)
Chicken and Biscuit Kabobs with canned homemade applesauce probably (new recipe, we'll see how it goes over)
Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup (yes, the canned kind. I always have one of 'those' nights)
Ravioli and Vegetable Soup in Bread Bowls (new recipe)
This week I am doing more 'new' recipes than normal because NOTHING of mine sounded good. Does anyone else have those weeks? But a friend (through the facebook status) told me about this blog and recommended the Lemon Cream Pasta- which I am so totally excited to make- and I found others that I wanted to try as well. But if anyone has any recipes that I should try out PLEASE let me know. I am always looking for recommendations because I know that they are already edible :)
PS If you feel like sharing what your weekly or monthly budget is, I'm always curious to know if I could be spending less, and if so, how. Or if I'm right about with most people. Or just for curiousity's sake.
4 comments:
I do menus really similar, except I only make 3 or 4 meals a week, and Brady has to make dinner once a week :) I don't have any thrifty tips but here are some recipes:
This chicken tortilla casserole is a favorite around our house. http://annies-eats.com/2009/11/19/chicken-tortilla-casserole/
*you can omit the chipotle peppers in adobo sauce to make it less spicy and less expensive
I'm also excited to try this just because the ingredients are simple (stuff I already have) and the creamy mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli looked so good sitting next to it. http://annies-eats.com/2010/03/17/island-spice-pork-tenderloin/
*I'll let you know what I think about it.
I like the menu making, I have gone through spurts where I am good at it. Lately, I haven't been and we have been in a rut cooking. You've inspired me to give it a go again! I will keep you posted on any ideas as I have them.
i think you should post your weekly recipes everyweek!!! One of the reasons I am deciding I hate cooking is because I don't ever know what to make!Thanks for the great ideas:)
I have the same $50 budget. I think it's perfect. It's just enough to still eat nice and healthy and have variety. Loved seeing you today!
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