I can't say that we will save a ton of money because we are very picky when it comes to the meats we eat. We don't like cheap fatty meat. I buy organic meat when I can find it and the lean, natural, hormone free, no pesticides, etc...kind. Rarely can I find it on sale but I'd rather pay more and be confident with what I am feeding my children than pay less for chicken/beef that have been shot up with who knows what. Ew.
First, I started by organizing my thoughts by using the forms located here. Thank you to moneysavingmom.com for having these available. I also asked my fb friends for advice, read several blogs, listed my trusted recipes and went shopping at my Mom's house for her extra food saver (thank you Mom).
I planned items that could be used in different ways, didn't require too much prep and weren't a bunch of casserole's. Basically, I just wanted to make dinner time less hectic and give me more time to make sides....and play with the girls. So, after meals were planned, coupons clipped and the shopping complete, I made the prep list in an order that was manageable.
I don't think anyone wants me to go into detail about what I did when but I did make sure that the crock pots were full, the oven going and things on the stove cooking at the same time. It really was so much fun! We accomplished most things while the Nora was sleeping. Ava helped with absolutely everything and Kevin was right behind us washing bowls, etc... Without his help, it would have taken much longer. It really was fun because it was a something we did as a family. In approximately 4 hours, we accomplished all of this...
4 packages marinated chicken breasts (3 in each)
2 marinated pork loins
2 packages of Southwest Burritos
1 extra burrito mix
1 baked ziti
1 taco meat
1 chili
2 vegetable soup
2 pulled pork for sandwiches/baked potatoes
2 cooked/chopped chicken for salads/chicken salad
2 packages of hamburger patties
2 packages of meatballs
17 packages of muffins (blueberry, blackberry and apple raisin) - Kevin likes these packaged in 3 or 4 because he takes them to work in the mornings.
Here are a few of the recipes I used.
Baked Ziti
1 lb ground beef
1 15oz container of ricotta cheese
1 jar of spaghetti sauce of your choice
1 box ziti noodles
Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
Tomato sauce of your choice
1. Brown meat and cook noodles separately.
2. Mix all ingredients together except for mozzarella cheese.
3. Sprinkle Mozz cheese on top and bake at 350 for 45 minutes.
4. Warm tomato sauce to put on top if desired.
Blueberry Muffins
Blue Willow – Bible of Southern Cooking, page 156 – Makes 12 muffins
1 egg
½ cup milk
¼ cup vegetable oil
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 cup fresh blueberries or ¾ cup frozen blueberries, thawed and drained
1. Preheat oven to 400.
2. Coat blueberries in a thin coat of flour before mixing into batter so that they do not automatically sink to the bottom of the muffins when baking.
3. In a large mixing bowl combine the egg, milk, oil, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and blueberries. Mix lightly. Pour into greased muffin cups and bake for 20 to 25 minutes.
Blackberry Muffins
The Lady & Sons, Too! By Paula Dean, page 130 – makes 18 muffins
½ cup (1 stick) melted butter
½ cup milk
2 large eggs at room temperature
2 cups all purpose flour
1 ¼ cups, plus 4 tsp of sugar
2 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
2 cups fresh blackberries, or frozen blackberries, thawed and drained.
1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Coat blackberries with thin coat of flour before adding to mixture.
3. Grease muffin tins or line with foil liners.
4. In a bowl, stir together the butter, milk and eggs.
5. In a mixing bowl, sift together the flour, 1-¼ cups of the sugar, the baking powder and salt.
6. Make a well in the center and pour the milk mixture all at once; stir until blended (but not too much). The batter will be lumpy. Do not over mix.
7. Fold in the berries.
8. Divide the batter among cups and sprinkle the remaining 4 tsp of sugar over the batter.
Bake for approx. 25 minutes or until golden.
Apple Raisin Muffins
Lady & Sons, Too! By Paula Dean, page 134 – makes 5 dozen miniature muffins
2 cups water
2 cups sugar
2 cups grated apples
2 cups raisins
1 cup butter
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg (will use less and dried)
½ tsp ground cloves
1 cup chopped walnuts
2 tsp baking soda
3-½ cups all-purpose flour
1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Combine the water, sugar, apples, raisins, butter, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves in a saucepan; bring to a boil.
3. Remove from heat and cool completely.
4. In large bowl, combine the nuts and baking soda into the flour.
5. Add the cooled mixture to the bowl and stir until blended.
6. Fill muffin tins and bake for 10-15 minutes.
Southwest Roll Ups
2 cans refried beans
½ cup salsa
2-4 cups cooked chicken, chopped
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
16 tortillas
1. Mix together beans, salsa and chicken.
2. Spread 1/8 of mixture onto one tortilla.
3. Sprinkle with cheese.
4. Roll up and turn ends under.
5. When ready to bake, thaw and bake in a pre heated 350 degrees oven for 20-30 minutes until heated through. Sprinkle with more shredded cheddar cheese, if desired. Serve with salsa.
Chili
2 lbs Ground Beef
2 cans Bush’s Chili Beans
2 cans Black Beans (Ranch's are good!)
1 28oz can Diced Tomatoes
1 can Tomato Paste - regular size
2 packs of Chili Mix
Shredded cheese for Garnish
1. Brown beef & drain.
2. Add tomatoes, paste, beans and seasoning mix. Heat till hot stirring occasionally.
Thanks so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteLove it! You are supermom. :)
ReplyDeleteThat is very impressive!
ReplyDelete