I realized today that I make the first four dinners on this week’s menu about once a month. They are easy fall back meals for busy times or exhausting weeks. I am still getting my strength back after a nasty flu, so I am content to rely on the old standards; my kids are just happy that mom is cooking again!
Money Saving Tip: You can stretch meat by mixing it with beans or rice. When I make tacos, I add a can of black beans to the hamburger and seasonings. When I make hamburger patties, I add a cup of cooked rice to the raw hamburger and spices, mix it well, and form patties as usual.
Monday – Tacos using hamburger mixed with a can of black beans and taco seasoning, Refried Beans, and Spanish Rice
Tuesday – Spaghetti and Garden Salad
Wednesday – Use leftover taco meat to make Taco Salad
Thursday – Use leftover taco meat, black beans, Spanish Rice, and spaghetti sauce to make Leftover Chili, Gluten Free Corn Bread, and Garden Salad
Friday – Dinner Party for 14! Garlic Chicken (or grilled? depends on the weather), Long Grain and Wild Rice, Glazed Carrots, Peas with Onions and Basil, salad and desserts TBD
Saturday – Use leftover chicken to make Crock Pot Chicken Enchilada Casserole and Garden Salad
Sunday – Use leftover chicken, rice, and carrots to make Chicken and Rice Soup and Garden Salad
Do you have any old faithful recipes that you rely on to get you through hectic weeks?
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Vickie's Michigan Garden (my backyard) says
Alea,
Just been a little worried about ya hope you are doing fine and had a great Thanksgiving.
vickie
Angela says
I hope that dinner party for 14 didn't send you over the edge.
We miss your posts- hope you're well.
heartnsoulcooking says
I love the way you can stretch your meats. GREAT!!! menu.
Geri
Struggler says
Dinner party for 14 when you're still getting over flu?
Wow, I'm truly in awe. That's fabulous! Let us know how it went.
Carla says
Beans and rice, or beans and cornbread. I make one or the other about once a week, varying the type of beans. We have also begun making grits for our grain occasionally. Grits, the Southerner's Answer to Polenta, LOL!
April says
Thanks for the great money-saving idea of adding beans and rice to the ground beef. That's a great idea!
Shana says
I think my easy standbys are spaghetti, homemade chicken noodle soup and tacos.
The Thrifty Countrywoman says
Glad you're back! I was getting worried about you. We also stretch the hamburger by adding oatmeal or the leftover cracker crumbs.
Jane
Vickie's Michigan Garden (my backyard) says
Alea,
Wow it all sounds good to me-I happen to love the sounds of your old standards! Glad your feeling better.
vickie