Tag Archives: pasta

Monday Menu

Posted by Melissa in Food, Monday Menu and tagged with , , , , , ,

After a summer with empty cupboards in the basement (our overflow pantry) and a mostly empty extra freezer, we have finally restocked some staples. Staples that we stockpile a little include cereal, pasta, frozen vegetables, canned goods (like beans and artichoke hearts), juice, flour, shredded cheese and condiments. Oh, and bacon. You know, things that have a high turnover.

I’ve saved a significant amount of money by coupon shopping in the past year, but it does take a little more preparation and concentration, difficult to achieve with three kids in tow during the summer months. But yesterday while Mr. Nine was at a birthday party, I had a couple hours to leisurely cruise Dominick’s and Walgreens with my coupon file. So when I made this week’s menu, I consulted the pantry and freezer first.

Monday: Pasta with artichoke hearts and oven-dried tomatoes

Tuesday: Mexican beef and tortilla casserole (Oh 1980s, we have not forgotten thee!)

Wednesday: Veal schnitzel, arugula and tomato salad, spaghetti squash

Thursday: Chicken noodle soup

Friday: Spinach and cheese lasagna (though for a weeknight, I’ll be making this with jarred sauce and no-boil noodles)

 

What staples do you stock up on?

Monday Menu

Posted by Melissa in Food, Monday Menu and tagged with , , , , , , ,

We are way ahead of the game, here, and if I don’t watch it, I could get pretty smug. By Saturday afternoon, not only was the weekend’s menu all planned, but all of next week’s, too! AND the grocery shopping was done, AND the freezer was cleaned out. By Sunday afternoon, the Hub had already cooked the soup and pasta sauce for later in the week, and had dinner well on its way. The Hub took the lead on all these tasks, but I washed a lot of dishes and cleaned the gunk out of the bottom of the freezer drawer. I’d say we’re even. If I make some dessert, he’ll say we’re even.

Monday: Mote pillo (an Ecuadorean hominy dish), green salad

Tuesday: Garlic-Potato Soup, kale chips

Wednesday: Rustic Slow-Simmered Tomato Sauce with Meat, pasta, broccoli, Halloween candy for dessert

Thursday: Quiche (I’d like to try this crust recipe, but will streamline the rest), Carrot Salad with Creamy Lemon, Yogurt & Chive Dressing

Friday: Chili (I don’t exactly use a recipe, but this one is the same general formula), tortilla chips, fruit salad

Last week on Home Baked

Käsekuchen in America

Homemake Halloween costumes

Monday Menu

Do you have a special dinner planned for Halloween, or at least something you can heat up after trick-or-treating?

Monday Menu

Posted by Melissa in Food, Monday Menu and tagged with , , , , ,

It’s been a long weekend packed with family and beautiful fall weather. We spent a few hours with pumpkins and pony rides, cider and doughnuts at Johansen Farms. We enjoyed an early Thanksgiving dinner (never mind the calendar–we celebrate whenever we can gather the family), and now we’re having a slow morning of music practice, homework and a second cup of coffee. Grandparents are visiting, and the kids are on slightly better behavior than usual. It’s a good way to spend a holiday!

The coming week is packed with activities and deadlines, so I’m not feeling too ambitious with the menu. Just favorite comfort foods, and using up what’s in the fridge. I also have bounty of tomatoes and peppers to preserve thanks again to Aunt Karen. I’m excited to get out the canner and stock the pantry with tomato sauce and roasted peppers.

Monday: Leftovers, baby!

Tuesday: Pasta pesto (unless someone has a creative but quick suggestion for a bag full of fresh basil?); roasted beet and goat cheese salad

Wednesday: Meatball subs

Thursday: Slow cooker stuffed peppers, mac and cheese

Friday: Sandwich night (perhaps with the waffle iron)

Saturday: Thai red curry with pork and acorn squash

 

Last week on Home Baked

Cuban Sandwiches

The garden project: phase one

Monday Menu

 

Do you preserve any garden produce for the winter?

Monday Menu

Posted by Melissa in Food, Monday Menu and tagged with , , , ,

School starts this week, and this weekend we finally made an attempt to get back to the school year routine. We got everyone up early and out the door for church. It was still early when we got home, so we enjoyed some time with the newspaper and a second cup of coffee on the patio. The Hub took charge of making the menu and grocery list, and while he was out grocery shopping, I clipped coupons from the circulars that have piled up over the past few weeks. It has the makings of a nice Sunday morning routine.

This week relies heavily on an oldie-but-goodie, The Frugal Gourmet cookbook by Jeff Smith. The Hub reminded me that I should consult it more often.

Sunday: Turkey meatloaf, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, sliced tomatoes

Monday: Broccoli and Chicken Salad (The Frugal Gourmet, p. 97)

Tuesday: Pasta with Onion Sauce

Wednesday: Pot-Sticker Pockets (Rachael Ray)

Thursday: Eggs in tuna sauce (The Frugal Gourmet, p. 410), soup and salad bar

Friday: Sweet corn pancakes (some of us will eat them savory, with sour cream and tomatoes)

What cookbook do you return to again and again?

Monday Menu: the lazy edition

Posted by Melissa in Food, Monday Menu and tagged with , , , ,

We just sadly bid goodbye to our good friends who trekked down from Canada with their two small children to spend some time with us. We had a great weekend, but now the house is eerily quiet. My husband is doing a wee bit of business travel this week, and after feeding a dozen people several meals over the past few days, I am unmotivated to exert any more effort than necessary. The kitchen is all cleaned up, and I’d like to keep it that way. Fortunately, I have fridge full of leftovers and I’m not afraid to use them. If I buy anything at all, it will be bacon. I don’t think I need to expound upon its transformative properties in the kitchen, do I?

Monday: Leftover turkey burgers and corn on the cob

Tuesday: Asparagus, goat cheese and lemon pasta (ours is leftover, but making this from scratch is so easy it counts as lazy)

Wednesday: Pancakes (and bacon)

Thursday: Mexican Sweet Corn Cake, leftover pork carnitas and slaw

Friday: Bacon corn hash and eggs

 

Last week on Home Baked

Dust-free drapes

Monday Menu

Monday Menu: Planning for houseguests

Posted by Melissa in Food, Monday Menu and tagged with , , , , , ,

Summer always brings much-anticipated visits from friends and family, but if you don’t plan ahead, you can get overwhelmed and stressed out trying to feed all those extra mouths. I like to plan meals that are mostly made ahead (I don’t want to be in the kitchen while everyone else is having fun!), with lots of built in flexibility so everyone can personalize their plates (especially important when there are a bunch of kids in the mix). With a fridge stocked with plenty of beverages and healthy snacks (yogurt, fresh fruit and veggies), and a good stash of homemade cookies, you’ll be ready to enjoy your visitors!

Arrival day: Homesick Texan Carnitas, slaw, guacamole, and Dulce de Leche Ice Cream

Panini Night: 2 kinds of good sliced bread, 3 cheeses (I like cheddar, provolone and Havarti), some sliced deli meat, thinly sliced tomato, arugula, maybe a jar of roasted red peppers or some caramelized onions. Set everything out in little bowls and let each person assemble their own sandwich. I don’t have a fancy panini press; I just toast them on the griddle and press them down with a cast iron skillet. Add a salad and some chips!

Pasta Night: Asparagus, goat cheese and lemon pasta (I realize this menu leans heavily on Smitten Kitchen recipes, but they’re always reliable!). Cook extra pasta and leave it plain for the pickier kids who want plain marinara or just butter and cheese. My kids like the goat cheese but pick out the asparagus. Garlic bread (use a big 1-lb. loaf of soft Italian bread to feed a crowd) and a simple tomato salad.

Breakfast ideas: Doughnut Muffins (that’s what my kids call them because I make them in regular muffin tins) and smoothies; Spinach and cheese strata or Baked French Toast and bacon; Overnight Orange Rolls and Velvet Scrambled Eggs with Fresh Herbs.

Last week on Home Baked

Unclogging the sink

Stenciled Star Wars Cake

Monday Menu: Vacation at the Cottage

Monday Menu: Vacation at the cottage

Posted by Melissa in Food, Monday Menu and tagged with , , , , , ,

We don’t have a cozy little lake cottage, but maybe you do? We have a couple weeks free in August if you need someone to make it look lived in…

But seriously, sometimes the most frugal (and relaxing) family summer vacation option is renting or borrowing a cottage, cabin or condo for a week. It’s not an all-inclusive resort, but it does have a kitchen. With a little planning ahead, you can have easy, budget-friendly meals and not break the bank by eating out every night. Here are my top five tips for an easy week of home cooked meals on vacation:

1. Make a menu. Keep it simple. What are your family’s favorite–but easy–meals? Make ingredients work double duty whenever possible.

2. Make a couple of freezer meals ahead of time and bring them your cooler. If you have the space, bring your slow cooker.

3. Find out whether there’s a grill at your destination. Burgers, hotdogs, brats…and s’mores for dessert!

4. Don’t forget to stock supplies for easy breakfasts and lunches: cereal, muffins, sandwiches, yogurt, fruit.

5. Do plan a meal out if you can!

Monday: Arrival day…something quick for dinner! Pasta with cheese and pepper, salad.

Tuesday: Marinate some chicken in the morning…grill it in the evening. Make sure there are leftovers. Asian Cabbage Salad (make the dressing at home and bring it in a jar), maybe some oven fries.

Wednesday: Crockpot pulled pork sandwiches (make ahead, freeze, and reheat in the crockpot while you’re at the beach).

Thursday: No work: Leftover Asian Cabbage Salad with grilled chicken strips. If that’s too healthy, open a bag of chips. Maybe take 10 minutes and make some Fruit Crumble.

Friday: Grill again! Steak, hotdogs, maybe some fish? Potato salad would be nice (bring small new potatoes that don’t need peeling, add a mustardy vinaigrette). S’mores!

Last week on Home Baked

Empty the basket!

Hummus

Monday Menu: The Grilling Edition

 

Do you like to cook when you’re on vacation?