(My usual menu-planning set up: coffee, recipe clippings, grocery list, home management binder and laptop.)
It’s been five weeks since I’ve planned a real menu. While I finished the book manuscript, we just subsisted on super simple meals and mostly ate from our pantry and freezer. I didn’t even bake at all for four weeks — except for a few batches of waffles — and I’ve sorely missed tinkering around in the kitchen.
So I’m thrilled to be back to menu-planning and cooking and baking again. Here’s what’s on tap for this week:
Breakfasts
Waffles with Strawberries
Egg-in-a-Hole
Energizing Smoothie (new recipe — I’ll post it if it turns out well.)
Steel Cut Oats with raw sugar and milk
French Toast
Scrambled Eggs and Fruit
Mango LassiLunches
Leftovers x 3
Peanut Butter & Jelly, Carrot sticks
Tuna Salad, broccoli
Mac & Cheese, peas
Cheese Quesadillas, ApplesSnacks
Brownies
Popcorn
Fruit/Veggies
Fruit smoothiesDinners
Southwest Roll-ups, corn, fruit salad
Barbecue Meatballs, mashed potatoes, frozen veggies, fruit salad
Strawberry Spinach Salad, Cinnamon Sugar Muffins (recipe coming soon!)
Steak on the grill, Sliced Baked Potatoes (recipe coming soon!), frozen veggies
Church Mother’s Day Banquet (We’re doing a build-your-own salad buffet, so I’m bringing four different salad toppings for this. The boys are fending for themselves and getting takeout.)
Fettuccine Alfredo, Marinated Chicken, steam broccoli, fruit salad
Bread Machine Pizza (new recipe — I’ll share it if it turns out well.), tossed salad
Have you made any fabulous new recipes recently that you think I’d like to try?
Danielle says
I was wondering how the breadmaker pizza dough turned out. . .I use my breadmaker once a week for pizza dough, and while we LOVE my recipe, I’m always looking for another 🙂
Amy says
I madethe southwest roll-ups last night, and they are delic! Eating one for lunch as we speak! I made mine with ground turkey (since that’s what I had on hand) and added corn to the mixture. So excited to have a bunch in the freezer right now. It is hard making yummy (inexpensive) dinners when you live along. Really going to try and work on my freezer planning so I can have lots of options.
Heather says
I just posted my first recipe! It is a super simple recipe for Egg Casserole that uses ingredients that are frequently on sale that I usually have coupons for. We like to eat it for dinner. 😉 Here is the link:
http://thirtythreemom.com/2011/05/04/simple-egg-casserole-recipe/
Lindsay says
I could eat the PW’s egg in a hole EVERY SINGLE DAY of my life. YUM!
Shelley C says
I always called the egg in the hole “Peek a boo eggs” Using the cut out circle to cover the egg…kids got a kick out of it and now the grandkids ask for it.
[email protected] says
Great menu I will try Egg in the hole.
Stephanie says
Love your menu plans Crystal! Are you guys not big on soups? I don’t think I have ever seen soup on your menu, which is surprising because it is such a frugal meal!
Shelley says
I really like simplyrecipes.com! Quite a few of her recipes have become regulars at our house. I’ve made the fettuccine alfredo a couples time, and we have really enjoyed it. After the noodles are done, I cook the broccoli in the same water and add it the dish.
Also, I made your lasagna casserole, and we really enjoyed it. Definitely a repeat recipe. Thank you for sharing it.
Dineen says
I thought you were having breakfast for supper ’til I clicked on Strawberry Strawberry salad and learned it wasn’t a dessert. 😉 I was hoping for some awesome super-strawberry brunch dish behind that link.
Crystal says
Too funny! I forgot to put spinach in the name — oops!
Making My Own Luck says
We’ve gotten hooked on this bbq beef which I randomly clipped from the USA weekend supplement in the newspaper. I serve it on rolls with cole slaw:
http://www.usaweekend.com/article/20110211/FOOD04/110210001/Slow-Cooked-Barbecue-Beef-with-Southwestern-Flavors
Diane says
You inspired a mini freezer cooking day today! I’m cooking 3 packages of frozen bone-in chicken breasts making your tortillas, some fruited chicken salad for sandwiches tomorrow and then just dicing a bunch of cooked chicken for my husband to put in his lunches with beans and rice.
Crystal says
Woohoo! I’m having a mini freezer cooking day this afternoon myself! If it goes well, I’ll be blogging about it.
Diane says
I enjoy the cooking part but the dishes/kitchen clean up part is not my favorite 🙂
michelle says
I recently tried this recipe for Roasted Chickpeas and was surprised how much my toddler enjoyed the crunchy snack. It is a great high protein portable snack.
It is a 4 star recipe on AllRecipes.com
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Simple-Roasted-Chickpea-Snack/Detail.aspx
Jodi says
Another chickpea recipe I like is called Mock Tuna Salad on food.com. It’s really a tangy chickpea spread and I always have the ingredients on hand. It’s cheap, easy and tasty. I like it on a toasted english muffin or some salad.
Carrie says
I am so proud of you for getting back into menu planning-I’m not sure I could do it. I’ve been faithful since January-one of my goals for the new year was to menu plan-and I’m afraid to go away from it for fear I won’t get back into it. I get several great ideas and recipes from you. The Brown Sugar Biscuit Twists are a HUGE hit in our house! I just tried a new recipe-Baked Nutty Pretzel Chicken-here’s the link-http://myfavoritefinds.blogspot.com/2011/05/nutty-pretzel-chicken.html-if you want to try it.
I also plans snacks, breakfasts, and lunches. It makes me keep track of what we have and helps me work in new recipes instead of always making a new dinner recipe.
Karla says
So glad the meal plans are back. I’ve missed them! Your bread machine rolls were a big hit at Easter!
Michelle says
We have two children with allergies (out of four) – one with dairy and the other with peanuts/treenuts. I find that there are still lots of things we can make to make meals interesting. It usually just involved cooking froms scratch at home (which, in turn, can save money!)
Breakfasts include toast (with dairy free bread, pitas, english muffins) topped with honey, jam or dairy free margarine. Eggs. Homemade oatmeal (served with soy milk). Homemade pancakes/waffles (made with soy milk).
Lunches included sandwiches (with dairy free lunch meats), soups, pasta, dairy free hotdogs.
Dinners hamburgers, pasta and sauce, chicken fried rice, so many others that I can’t think of.
Remember that most recipes can be adapted for a dairy free environment!
Laurie Fleming says
I have been stockpiling for about 4 months, and have 3 freezers full, so my goal is to reduce the stockpile, so no food goes bad.
Stephanie says
wow that is awesome!!
Moriah Lazik says
Crystal,
I just wanted to send you a thank you for making my life so much easier with saving money! I am slowly but surely learning to menu plan, at times its a challenge, but nonetheless I am much more cautious at not buying food and trying to use what I already have on hand. It’s teaching me to try out new recipes and to have fun making dinner, instead of grabbing fast food on my way home. Before I found your site I was still couponing and saving money, but not the way I do now! I look forward to seeing your new posts & finding out new ways to save! It’s amazing how much of a progress I have so far! I’m putting more money on credit cards and feeling great! So this is just my personal thank you. I didn’t think I could be so much at ease for getting out of debt and learning to be good with money!
Crystal says
Thank you so much for your kind encouragement!
Casey says
Yay! I’m so excited you are posting menu plans again. I have missed this part. Totally understood why you took the break though 🙂 Glad your book is coming along and you are heading on to the next step. The menu and recipes are one part of your site that I really like and sets you apart from the other 2 frugal/couponing sites I frequent. I know there are SEVERAL sites available, but after looking at several (especially when I first started out.) I have since found 3 I really like, a local blogger who does our area grocery stores, another blogger who focuses on drugstores, and yours. Each has it’s strengths. Love the recipes on here… also all the DIY stuff. I have become creative in the kitchen-just ask my friend/roommate who gets to try all my creations!! Just made homemade yogurt as a result of the post the other day. SUPER yummy! So yay again for the menu plan. Thanks for all your hard work!
Crystal says
Your comment made my day; thank you!
Noelle says
I have to agree with Shantique I’m nursing a babby that has milk issues and I’m getting bored with our lack of dairy in our menu. I don’t like milk so I only buy soy or almond milk when I have a coupon and it’s on sale, especially since it has a much longer shelf life. I also came across a post on how to make your item…. I really miss mac and cheese and sour cream….
Jamie says
These pancakes have been our family’s new favorite recipe! They freeze well and they satisfy for a long time! They are chock full of healthful ingredients too. I definitely think everyone should give these a try! http://delicious-nutritious.blogspot.com/2011/04/my-favorite-pancakes.html
Crystal says
Thanks for sharing!
Lauren B. says
you drink black coffee?? yuck! ;o)
Crystal says
I like milk or creamer in it when I feel like “splurging”, otherwise it’s just coffee and turbinado. Must have sugar, otherwise it’s yuck!
SillyJaime says
Someday my meal planning will be this organized (as well as existent, which it currently isn’t in our living situation) and lovely! I often swoon when I read anything you post that has to do with meal planning or recipes.
Crystal says
You crack me up. I love to be organized, but I’m far from as organized as I’d like to be!
SillyJaime says
Aren’t we all?! 😀
Brit @MomAnswersWithBrit.com says
A simple recipe that I enjoy is Chicken & Noodles. I made it up using ingredients from my chicken noodle soup recipe, and it is sooooo yummy and flavorful!
http://momanswerswithbrit.com/?p=208
Krysti says
It would be great if someone would guest post about meal ideas for people/kids with allergies. We have a child with multiple allergies and meals are starting to get a little boring and I’m running out of ideas.
Shantique says
I know gluten allergies are prevalent but my oldest has a milk allergy. I can’t even use the old stanbys! My poor dd gets pb sandwiches for lunch and chicken nuggets or fish sticks for dinner. I don’t even know where to begin. She doesn’t process soy well either.
Shantique says
I’m not a great cook with normal food so trying to work with her allergies has me stumped…and it IS expensive. She likes rice milk and it’s all she can use for cereal, but 1/2 qt is 3.39 and coupons a few and far between. The allergy free brands have families over a barrel and they extort us!
Krysti says
yeah our little one has an egg allergy, high acidity intolerance (citrus, strawberries, tomatoes), and dairy intolerance. We are in the process of ruling out soy and wheat/gluten is our next test.
Lisa says
An idea for your egg allergy: 3 of our children have egg allergies and all 3 have been able to handle duck eggs with no problem at all. We get them fresh and use them sparingly and only for the 3 that are allergic, because of the cost, but it’s been SO nice to add them back into our menu.
Krysti says
rice milk is really super easy/cheap to make yourself. Take 1c. rice and cook in 8c water for 3hrs. Process in blender (1/2 of rice soup and half water) til blended smooth. Strain through strainer 2x and you have rice milk. Just shake before using.
Holly says
Rice milk is not-expensive at Costco. It is certified organic, and it’s like $15.00 for 12 quarts.
Antonella says
I second Krysti. It’s very easy to do and you can use it to drink at breakfast, for smoothies, to make white sauce for your casseroles…
Megan says
My son is severely allergic to milk. The best milk substitute for baked goods (pancakes, biscuits, cinnamon rolls, etc.) is so-delicious coconut mik. This is not the canned stuff, but is in the boxes or cartons by the rice milk. If you squeeze a quarter lemon in about a cup, it is a great buttermilk substitute. It isn’t cheaper than rice milk, but it sure makes better baked goods (I honestly can’t tell the difference, and neither can guests). I think one of the coupon websites has a dollar off coupon on it right now.
My other tip is to check both the refrigerated section where they have cartons, and the dry section where they are in boxes. Often they are on sale one place, but not the other.
Stephanie says
Have you tried Almond Milk? You can make your own easily, and if you find a source for bulk Almonds I bet it will be way cheaper.
Shannon says
Hey I recognize that smoothie recipe from our free copy of Working Mother magazine!
Crystal says
You’re very observant! That recipe caught my eye right off the bat and I ripped it out and stuck it in my recipes to try file!
Jessica says
I am definitely going to try those Southwest Roll-Ups after depleting our supply of Brown Bag Burritos – we got that recipe from you! Made them from the first time this weekend. We used LaTortilla small tortillas (50 cals in a tortilla), and we got 48 burritos out of the batch we made! I’m planning to eat 2 for a meal and my husband will eat 3. At just 125 calories each, this meal will be fantastic with corn on the cob as a side.
I can’t wait to try these… but like I said, first, we have to eat 42 more burritos!
Crystal says
Enjoy your burritos!
Maggie says
I’ve been browsing the pioneer woman’s site for inspiration lately and have been making egg-in-a-hole and fruit for breakfast almost every morning. So easy and so good! i can’t wait for the rain to subside in our neck of the woods so we can begin to grill more.
Koree Fugate says
Tried several of her recipes and did not like them. I have had a lot of luck with allrecipes.com
Crystal says
I’ve rarely gone wrong with any AllRecipes.com recipe that has five stars and lots of reviews. Love that site!
Casey says
Ditto on Allrecipes.com LOVE the ingrediate look up where you can pick what you want (or don’t want) in the recipe. Plus I love reading the comments where people leave ideas on how to tweek the recipe. I have grown to really enjoy cooking and baking and the biggest reason is being able to play. I like to change things up. Switch out ingrediants. Have to have fun. Have a list a mile long of new recipes I want to try.
Kelly says
We love her Cowboy spaghetti or Malborro man spaghetti. Can’t quite remember the exact name because we call it Cowboy spaghetti. Just had it last night.
Jessica says
Me too- most of the recipes from PW I have not liked 🙁
Stephanie says
I am really liking the Simply Recipes site that you linked to here. I have tried a few PW recipes and haven’t liked them either, but I just figure she is cooking based on what her family likes and obviously we have different taste buds!!
Crystal says
Yes, so far I’ve loved all the Simply Recipes I’ve tried.
Sarabell says
I had never heard of the spinach & strawberries salad so I’m excited to give it a try next week now! Thanks for all you do.
My husband and I have gluten intolerance, along with a few other allergies, which can make shopping difficult and expensive. Your site inspired me to clip coupons and I used that to expend upon my stockpiles and savings each month… now eating gluten free can sometimes even be less expensive than eating gluten used to be for us! (Pre-coupons, of course)
Crystal says
I’d love for you to write a post on how you’re eating gluten-free on a budget. Many people believe this isn’t possible and I think it’d be a huge encouragement to others to get some inspiration! Drop me an email if it’s something you’d consider.
Ashley says
My grandma fixed this, and it is soo tasty! Good luck with fixing it!
Jamie says
I just made a gluten free, dairy free side dish (or potentially main meal) for a potluck this past weekend. I was going to post it on my blog, but my pictures didn’t turn out – so maybe next week. But here is the basic idea if you’d like to try it – some people that have not liked quinoa in the past really enjoyed it! It can be eaten cold or hot. Most of these items I got with coupons or in bulk at Costco. Check out my blog next week for measurements and more details: http://www.delicious-nutritious.blogspot.com.
Quinoa (made with chicken stock)
canned diced tomatoes in sauce
frozen corn
black beans
cilantro
cumin
garlic
salt
EVOO
red wine vinegar
Moriah Lazik says
wow that looks so good! I will be saving it for sure!!!!
Jamie says
Here it is, the recipe with measurements and such! http://delicious-nutritious.blogspot.com/2011/05/potluck-quinoa.html
Have you tried it yet? If not, I hope you enjoy it!
Carey says
Congrats on your savings Sarabell! Like you, I spent *way* more money on groceries pre-gluten intolerance (and pre-coupons too) than I do now. Being gluten free and wanting to not spend crazy amounts of money feeding myself and my family made me learn how to cook from scratch and how to feed myself naturally gluten free foods on a budget! Where I used to spend over $400/month on 2 people, I now spend $255/month on food for my family of 3 (1 very hungry, skinny husband, me, and a growing 2 1/2 yr old son).
Stephanie says
I think that is the key. If you are buying all of those specially packaged goods, its going to kill your budget! Amy at Amy’s Finer Things went gluten free from Lent and shared that she did not have to increase her budget to do so!
Emily @ Saving with a Plan says
I’d love to see a recipe for your fruit salad, we’ve tried several but havent found a favorite yet.
Here is our weekly menu 🙂
http://www.savingwithaplan.com/2011/04/weekly-meal-plan-healthy-delicious-meal-plans-all-for-less-than-75-per-week/
Christie says
I’d love to know more about the build-your-own salad idea! I’m the head of women’s ministry at our church, and am always looking for great ideas. Any info on how you’re doing this would be helpful to me!
Thanks
Amber says
I’d love to see a week with lots of vegetarian and/or veggie-packed recipes. Most Americans don’t get near enough veggies as they should (this list included!)
Koree Fugate says
http://101things.wordpress.com/2007/08/13/pea-potato-curry/
I love to make this topped with some Mrs. Ball’s Chutney and white rice.
Crystal says
Well, you’d have to convince my hubby to go vegetarian first. 😉
While we don’t eat 20 servings of veggies every day, we normally do have at least five servings of fruits and vegetables and often more when we have smoothies. I know we wouldn’t win the award for the family who eats the most vegetables, but considering my children like to eat salad and usually choose fruits and veggies for snacks, I’m happy. 🙂
Carolynn @ mylittlebitoflife.com says
Love it! The other day I gave my oldest the choice of some candy and he asked for an apple instead! 🙂
Crystal says
You’re doing a great job as a mom — but I already knew that from meeting you and your children. 🙂 My children have been crazy about fruit and veggies recently. I’m thankful Aldi has been running great sales!
Jen says
I bet there are a ton of great vegetarian/veggie blogs online if you’re looking for ideas.
Marie says
This comment really bothered me. She’s a mom of three young children for crying outloud, not Curtis Stone. I thought this week’s dinners looked great! I wish we as moms could give each other more grace.
Marie says
This is re: Amber’s comment btw.
Kelly says
I took it as Amber making a request for guidance on more vegetarian meal; which I too would like to see. The second sentence seemed like a general opinion about Americans not particularly Crystal’s family. In my opinion, they seem to eat rather health.
Amanda says
Kelly,
In my opinion it went from being a general comment about Americans to a criticism of Crystal when Amber said “this list included”. I totally agree with Marie we need to be more encouraging and uplifting to the other moms out there!
Jen says
I agree with Amanda. I think Amber was making a condescending comment towards Crystal’s meal plan. As I suggested above, there are a ton of vegetarian/veggie blogs and websites out there if you need ideas for vegetarian meals.
This is a money saving website, where Crystal happens to share the meals she serves her family. They are not vegetarians, so it is a little strange to expect guidance regarding vegetarian meals. Google would be a better place to search for vegetarian meal ideas.
Cate says
I agree that most Americans eat too much meat and not enough veggies, but taking shots at Crystal’s meal plan is just rude and unnecessary. And you don’t have to be a vegetarian or even eat vegetarian meals to eat lots of produce—as Crystal’s menu plan shows. I see fruit and veggies listed at almost every meal!
Cassie says
If you are interested in making your own refried beans, the following recipe is the best one I have ever tried. It is super simple and absolutely delicious. I do decrease the salt called for!
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Refried-Beans-Without-the-Refry/Detail.aspx
Koree Fugate says
PS I love your honey cornbread recipe! My boyfriend gobbles it down : )
Christie says
I decided to take a break from my menu planning and check out Facebook…saw your post and came to take a peek. SO glad I did because I got some new ideas for meals! Thanks 🙂
Crystal says
So glad to give you some inspiration!
Brit @ Living with Three Boys says
So so glad you’re back to posting menus! You always have such great ideas!
Here’s our menu (with links to recipes) for this week: http://www.livingwiththreeboys.com/2011/05/menu-plan-gimme.html
Brooke says
Has anyone had any experience using FreeFly’s coupons, freebies, etc.? Thanks so much!!!
TatersMama says
I LOVE spinach salad with strawberries. Might make that one next week! Tomorrow, I’m trying PWs Chicken Spaghetti…had to trek to 2 different stores to find pimentos!
Jamie says
Me too! Funny, I just posted my Grapefruit Spinach Salad with poppy seed dressing. I use the same dressing for my strawberry spinach salad. http://delicious-nutritious.blogspot.com/2011/05/spring-grapefruit-salad.html
You could probably make your own pimentos next time – roast a red pepper and chop it up!
Kate Cole says
I love the fact you plan out breakfasts and lunches too…that is where I don’t do enough. I plan out my dinners but def. get in a rut when it comes to breakfasts and lunches.
Stephanie says
Try making out a list of as many breakfast and lunch ideas you can think of. Keep it by your menu planner, and pull from the list. Make a goal to try 1-2 new and different breakfast/lunch recipes each week that aren’t on the list, and if you like them, add them. As your list grows, you will find planning easier. Breakfast foods usually consist of the same basics, bread, oatmeal, flour, eggs, butter, milk, yogurt, fruit. If you have these things on hand, you should never run out of breakfast ideas! Oh and for lunches, I usually make a large enough dinners that our lunches are mostly leftovers. So I easily cross out 3 days or more each week for leftovers and am only left with having to plan a few lunches!!
Kelly says
We have been grilling pizza. YUMMY! Frozen pizza dough, cheese, sauce and grilled veggies. Place on stone-ware and grill 10-15 minutes.
Bethany says
Ooh those are some yummy recipes! We love ‘eggs-in-a-hole’ (AKA One-
Eyed-Joes)
Crystal @ Counselor Mom says
This sounds a lot like my menu this week!