What's Cooking?

Here is what is on the menu at our house for the next few weeks!

M - Crispy Ranch Chicken, corn, sauteed spinach

T - Spaghetti Bake, left over veggies

W - Leftovers, Peas, Greenbeans

Th - Mexican Manicotti

F - Creamy Pasta with Lemon Pepper Chicken, Roasted Broccoli & Cauliflower

S - Bacon Cheeseburger Chicken, Homemade Fries

Sun - Out to Eat

M - Taco Salad

T - Texas Chicken Quesadillas, Southwestern Dip

W - Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup

Th - Leftovers

F - Spanish Rice Bake, Beans

S - Chicken Packets, Baked Sweet Potatoes

Sun - Out to Eat

M - Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks

T - Rotel King Ranch Chicken, Rice

W - Taco Ring, Chips & Salsa

Th - Leftovers

F - Chicken Piccata, Salad, Greenbeans

S - Taco Soup, Cornbread

Sun - Out to eat

Month of Menus - August

Whoops...looks like I kind of goofed up and skipped July! But, here's to a fresh start for August.

I hope you find something that you can use. I've added some new recipes this month along with the family favorites. Again, I only gave 24 options because I'm counting on a few Simple Supper Sunday's and leftover nights.

Have a blessed August!

Meal #1 - Buffalo Wings, Baked Fries

Meal #2 - Mexican Manicotti, Rice

Meal #3 - Tator Tot Casserole, Squash Casserole

Meal #4 - Grilled Cheese, Chips, Fruit

Meal #5 - Taco Salad

Meal #6 - Shish-ka-bobs, Grilled Veggies

Meal #7 - Grilled Burgers, Baked Sweet Potatoes

Meal #8 - Sausage Links, Mac and Cheese, Mixed Veggies

Meal #9 - Roasted Red Pepper & Tortellini Bake, Salad

Meal #10 - Crispy Ranch Chicken, Greenbeans

Meal #11 - Chili Dogs, Baked Beans, Corn

Meal #12 - Taco Ring, Salsa, Chips

Meal #13 - Meatballs, Asparagus, Salad

Meal #14 - Texas Chicken Quesadillas

Meal #15 - Chicken and Dumplings, Corn-on-the-Cob

Meal # 16 - Spaghetti, Salad, Garlic Bread

Meal #17 - Fried Chicken, Okra, Squash

Meal #18 - Pepperoncini Beef Roast, Baked Potatoes

Meal #19 - Bacon Cheeseburger Chicken, Fruit Salad, Broccoli

Meal #20 - Eggs, Bacon, Biscuits

Meal #21 - Lasagna

Meal #22 - Meaty Mexican Pizza

Meal #23 - Meatloaf Muffins, Sauteed Spinach, Roasted Cauliflower

Meal #24 - Chicken Packets, Sweet Potato Fries

For more menu ideas visit OrgJunkie!

Month of Menus

In an effort to get back on track with blogging about my menu planning, I am posting an entire month of menu plans!

I would love to do the Once a Month Cooking plan that you can read about HERE, but without a deep freeze, it just isn't feasible at this time. So, this is the next closest thing!

I also decided not to assign a particular date to any certain meal to add a little flexibility to my menu. Below you will find 24 menu ideas...I didn't do a full 30 days because I am factoring in a few Simple Supper Sunday's and Leftovers (cook once, eat twice)!

Out of the 24 choices, I hope you and your family find something that you like!!

Meal #1 - Chicken Bruschetta Pasta, Eggplant Parmesan

Meal #2 - Corn, Black Bean, & Pepper Jack Burritos, Spanish Rice

Meal #3 - Crispy Ranch Chicken, greenbeans

Meal #4 - Slow Cooker Hoppin' John

Meal #5 - Texas Chicken Quesadillas, Ranchstyle beans

Meal #6 - Taco Ring, Chips & Salsa

Meal #7 - Italian Chicken, Asparagus

Meal #8 - Pepperoncini Beef Roast, Potatoes

Meal #9 - Breakfast Casserole, Biscuits, Fruit

Meal #10 - Rotel King Ranch Chicken, Corn

Meal #11 - Grilled Steaks, Grilled Veggies

Meal #12 - Shish-ka-bobs, Baked Sweet Potatoes, Roasted Cauliflower

Meal #13 - Taco in a Pan

Meal #14 - Chicken and Dumplings, Cornbread, Sauteed Spinach


Meal # 15 - Chicken Packets, Sweet Potato Fries


Meal #16 - Bacon Cheeseburger Chicken, Roasted Rosemary Potatoes

Meal #17 - Taco Salad

Meal #18 - Sausage Links, Steamed Cabbage

Meal #19 - Grilled Pork Chops, Grilled Squash & Zucchini

Meal #20 - Spaghetti with Meatballs, Garlic Bread

Meal #21 - Meatloaf Muffins, Broccoli, Corn-on-the-Cob

Meal #22 - BLTs, Baked Beans, Fruit Salad

Meal #23 - Meaty Mexican Pizza

Meal #24 - Chili Dogs, Homemade Fries

For more menu ideas please visit OrgJunkie!

MPM - Week of 1/18/10

Sorry I'm a little late with this post!! I had my plan all written out but forgot to post it on the blog! :)

Mon - Toasted Cheese, fruit, Veggie Chips

Tues - Home Group

Weds - Swedish Meatballs with Egg Noodles, green beans

Thurs - Beef Roast with carrots and potatoes

Fri - Mexican Casserole

Sat - Left overs

Sun - Simple Supper Sunday

For more dinner ideas visit OrgJunkie.

MPM - Week of 1/4/10

I hope that you all had a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. If you are like me, you love the holidays, but are glad when life finally gets back to normal!! So, here's to the first full week of the New Year, may it be a "normal" one. :) And, in an effort to get back on track with my menu planning, here is the first MPM of 2010!



Mon - Taco Ring, corn-on-the-cob



Tues - Crispy Ranch Chicken, green beans



Weds - Homemade Chili



Thus - Left overs


Fri - Swedish Meatballs with Egg Noodles



Sat - Left overs again??



Sun - Simple Supper Sunday



For more recipe ideas visit OrgJunkie.

Menu Plan Monday - Week of 12/14/09

I hope all of you are able to enjoy this week without too much stress before Christmas! I've got a couple of parties and a shopping trip with my dad this week, plus all of our normal weekly activities, so it will be a busy one!! Lindsay and I made our weekly trip to the grocery store today and it was pretty crazy, so I'm already dreading next week's trip. Score one for menu planning - I can get in and out of the store with only the items on my list and not spend forever wandering the aisles trying to decide what I need!

Mon - Lance & Lindsay are on their own - I have a Christmas party!

Tues - 15 Bean Soup

Weds - Roast with Potatoes and Carrots

Thurs - Left overs

Fri - Marinated Chicken Drumsticks, Sauteed Spinach

Sat - Hopefully more left overs :)

Sun - Simple Supper Sunday

For more dinner ideas visit OrgJunkie.

Menu Plan Monday - Week of 12/7/09

Ok, so it's Thursday night and I haven't posted my menu plan in a few weeks. Sorry about that, I will try to do better! I'm not even going to start giving you a long list of excuses!


Weds - Spinach & Asiago Cheese Sausage, Baked Acorn Squash



Thus - McAlister's (going to Athens to see the Christmas Lights)



Fri - Pork Cutlets, Corn on the Cob, Fried Squash



Sat - Hmmm...not sure



Sun - Simple Supper Sunday

For more dinner ideas, visit OrgJunkie!

Menu Plan Monday - week of 11/16/09

Here is what's cooking at our house this week!!

Mon - Baked Penne Pasta, spinach, mashed potatoes

Tues - Taco Ring, chips & dip

Weds - Left overs

Thurs - Pork cutlets, baked sweet potatoes, broccoli

Fri - Crock pot chicken & potatoes, steamed cabbage

Sat - Left overs

Sun - Simple Supper Sunday

I am also going to bake some cookies with Lindsay (hopefully tonight). Here's the recipe that we are going to give a try:

Stamped by Design Cookies

1 pkg. chocolate or white cake mix
2 eggs
1/4 c. vegetable oil
sugar

Icing:

2 c. confectioners sugar
2 to 3 Tbsp. milk
food coloring

In large bowl, beat cake mix, eggs, and oil. Roll into 1 in. balls.; place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheet. Flatten with glass dipped in sugar.

Bake at 350 degrees for 6 to 8 min. Lightly press a 1 1/2 in. cookie cutter onto cookies, making a slight indentation. Remove to wire racks to cool.

In a small bowl, whisk confectioners sugar and milk to achieve drizzling consistency. Tint w/ food coloring if desired. Place icing in a small, heavy duty plastic bag; cut a small hole in a corner of bag. Carefully pipe icing into indentation.

Menu Plan Monday - 11/2/09

Can you believe that it is already November? Wow, life is getting ready to be really crazy around the Barker house (as if it's not already)!

I did not get to make my Dinner in a Pumpkin on Sunday, so I am going to give it a try this week, assuming I can find a pumpkin. Pretty much all of my menu plan from last week got derailed in some form or fashion, so there are a couple of repeats this week!

Monday
B: Oatmeal
D: Crispy Ranch Chicken (hold over from last week), green beans, Fire crackers

Tuesday
B: Cereal
D: Dinner in a Pumpkin,

Wednesday
B: Pigs in a Blanket
D: Rotel King Ranch Chicken, Salad, Beans

Thursday
B: Breakfast Casserole
D: Left overs

Friday
B: Blueberry Muffins
D: Pork Cutlets, Fried Squash, Salad

Saturday
*Out of town*

Sunday
B: Peanut Butter Toast
D: Simple Supper Sunday

Check out OrgJunkie for more recipe ideas!

Menu Plan Monday -week of 10/26/09

Maybe I should start doing Menu Plan Tuesday because that always seems to be the case for me (at least the past couple of weeks)!  I have really been enjoying my menu planning and I'm thankful to have my plan to "fall back on" when our schedule gets rearranged.  

Monday

B:  We skipped breakfast for some reason!

D:  Out for dinner

Tuesday

B:  Snacks

D:  Chili Lime Drumsticks, Baked Acorn Squash 

Wednesday

B:  Oatmeal, Bananas

D:  Roasted Pork Loin, Fried Okra (didn't get to this last week)

Thursday

B:  Breakfast Casserole (from freezer)

D:  Left Overs

Friday

B:  Cereal

D:  Crispy Ranch Chicken, Roasted Potatoes

Saturday

B:  Bacon, Egg, & Cheese Burritos

D:  Left Overs

Sunday

B:  Left Over Burritos

D:  Dinner In A Pumpkin (I'll share this recipe in a separate post)

For more dinner ideas visit OrgJunkie.

Menu Plan Monday - week of 10/19/09

Last week was a great week to stock up on a few cuts of meat:

HEB had whole pork loin and split chicken breasts on sale for $1/lb!!

Brookshire Bros. had boneless angus chuck roast on sale for $1.99/lb!!

I bought two of the pork loins (each one was roughly 6 lbs.).  I took one pork loin and sliced it up into cutlets and froze into family sized meal portions and the other one I sliced in half to make two separate roasts.

Needless to say, my freezer is jammed packed with meat for future meals so I will take that into consideration when planning my next few weeks of meals - I should mainly just have to buy fresh produce (and whatever other cuts of meat are on sale)!  Woohoo!!

Mon - Pork Loin cutlets, boiled okra, corn

Tuesday

B:  Cereal & Fruit

D:   Spaghetti, Green Beans, Salad

Wednesday

B:  Bacon & Eggs

D:  Pepperoncini Beef Roast, baked potatoes (didn't get to this last week)

Thursday

B:  Oatmeal

D:  Roasted Pork Loin, Fried Okra

Friday

B:  Sausage Biscuits

D:  Left overs

Saturday

B:  Leftover Sausage Biscuits

D:  Chicken dish, Roasted Acorn Squash

Sunday

B:  Cereal

D:  Simple Supper Sunday/Left overs

For more fabulous dinner ideas visit OrgJunkie!

Menu Plan Monday - week of 10/12/09

So, have you started menu planning yet?  If not, I strongly encourage you to give it a try.  If you don't like it you haven't lost anything, but I can almost guarantee that you will love the benefits.  It can be overwhelming at first, but ultimately it brings a little simplicity to life!  Start by just planning out your menu, then you can move on to planning your menu based on what's on sale at the grocery store.

The Hungarian Beef Goulash from last week is definitely going on the list of family favorites.  I served it in a bowl over buttered brown rice noodles.  There was so much juice it was almost like a stew - very delicious!  I didn't get to the Almond Baked Apples...sounds like a good breakfast recipe!

I am adding breakfast to my menu plan this week...ooh la la!

Mon - B:  Oatmeal

D:  Texas Chicken Quesadillas 

Tues - B:  Eggs & Bacon

D:  Corn, Black Bean, and Pepper Jack Burritos, rice

Weds - B:  Almond Baked Apples

D: Hawaiian Sandwiches (Krista's recipe), Sweet Potato Fries

Thurs - B:  Cereal & Fruit

D:  Left overs

Fri - B:  Gluten Free Pancakes

D:  Hamburger Macaroni, green veggie

Sat -  B:  Breakfast Burritos

D:  Can't decided...I'll have to give you an update!

Sun - B:  Left over burritos

D:  Pepperoncini Beef Roast, baked potatoes

Recipes:

Corn, Black Bean and Pepper Jack Burritos

4 - 10 inch whole-wheat tortillas

2 tsp. vegetable oil

1 small onion, chopped

1 14 oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 c. frozen corn kernels

1 c. cherry tomatoes, halved

1 T. lime juice

Salt

6 oz. low fat Pepper Jack, shredded

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.  Wrap tortillas in foil and heat until warm and soft, about 10 minutes.  Remove from oven and keep wrapped until ready to use.

While tortillas are heating, warm vegetable oil in a medium skillet over medium heat.  Add onion and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, 3 to 5 minutes.  Stir in black beans, corn and cherry tomatoes and cook until completely heated through, about 5 minutes.  Stir in lime juice. Season with salt to taste.

Place a tortilla on counter.  Spoon 1/4 of filling along center of tortilla.  Sprinkle with 1/4 of cheese.  Fold sides in over filling, then roll up tortilla to enclose.  Repeat with remaining tortillas, filling and cheese.  Cut burritos in half on diagonal.  Serve immediately.

Hawaiian Sandwiches

1 pkg. Hawaiian Sweet Rolls (12 ct.)

thinly sliced Ham or Turkey

sliced Swiss Cheese

1 tsp. Poppy Seeds

1 1/2 tsp of:  mustard, worcestershire, onion flakes

1 stick butter, melted

Prepare sandwiches with 1/2 slice of cheese and two slices of meat.  Place in a greased baking dish.  Mix remaining ingredients and pour evenly over sandwiches.  Cover with foil and refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.  Bake, with foil cover, at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

Grocery Shopping Trip & A Little More Conviction

*Please bare with me while I try to get my thoughts out in written words*

I have discussed before the conviction that the Lord has placed upon me to try and be a lot more frugal in the area of grocery shopping (you can read the original post HERE).  Ok, well, that was only step #1 in His plan, I think...

While my learning to be frugal has served it's purpose very well in the lean financial times of which my family is currently facing, I think the Lord is calling me to take it one step further. Yesterday at church I sat and listened to stories of human suffering, starvation, martyrization, and anguish of human beings in foreign countries.  I have heard stories similar to these before, as I'm sure you have as well, but what in the world have I tried to do about it?  Ok, we have our one missionary that we've supported monthly for the past 8 years, but in the grand scheme of things, whoopty-freaking-do.  I've really been making a huge sacrifice, haven't I?

So, once again I have this huge conviction upon my heart, and I am asking the Lord for discernment on what I need to do about it...what action am I going to take?  Adopt a few more missionaries, adopt a few children from the children's home, send more money to an organization, save money to go on a mission trip?  The possibilities are endless when it comes to the work of the Lord!  I want to make sure that I am using the money that I am saving in the *right* way so that it will have the most impact to bring all glory and honor to God.

On to the nitty gritty of my shopping trip...I'm back from HEB where I purchased most of the things that I will need this week to cook what's on my menu plan.

Here's a break down of what I purchased and the day's meal that it corresponds to (a few items I am going to pick up at Brookshire Bros, I've highlighted those so you can differentiate):

Mon - Sausage links $2.99 ea - on sale BOGO, carrots .79, celery $1.37, pears .99/lb, grapes $1.47/lb, mushrooms 2/$3, onions .79/lb

Tues - Whole chickens on sale for .88/lb (I bought 2 birds; one for $3.32, one for $4.02), broccoli $1.88

Thurs - Pork Chops - on sale for $1.47/lb, sweet potatoes on sale for .89/lb 

Fri - Beef (in the freezer, bought this on sale a few weeks ago), red bell peppers .99 ea, 

apples .88/lb

I know this looks kind of crazy and hard to follow, but the point is that I am saving a ton of money at the grocery store by planning my menu according to what is on sale at the grocery store.  All in all, I spent $27.72 (I didn't list everything that I purchased)!!  

To see my menu plan for this week, click HERE.

Menu Plan Monday - week of 10/5/09

Wow ~ it's October!  I love, love, love this time of year!!

Here's what we've got planned for dinner at our house this week ~ enjoy!

Mon - Sausage with onions and bell peppers, fruit salad, Barley & Veggie Soup*

Tues - Beer Can Chicken*, squash, broccoli

Weds - Left overs

Thurs - Pork Chops, baked sweet potatoes

Fri - Hungarian Beef Goulash, Almond Baked Apples

Sat - Left overs

Sun - Taco Soup, cornbread

*To make the stock for the soup, I will be using the necks from two birds.  The next night I will actually be cooking the two birds, we'll eat one for supper and then have a whole bird left for another meal.  Whole Chickens are on sale for .88/lb this week at HEB!

Recipes:

Beer Can Chicken

2 whole chickens (about 4 lb. each)

1 T. paprika

1 T. onion powder

1 T. garlic powder

1 T. dried thyme

Salt & Pepper

2 - 12 oz. cans beer (or you can substitute cola)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Rinse chicken inside and out; pat dry thoroughly.

Mix paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper.  rub chickens (inside and outside) with spice mixture.

Pour about 2 oz. beer or cola out of each can.  Set cans upright in a roasting pan large enough to hold both chickens without touching.  Set chickens so that cans fit inside cavities, legs facing down.  Roast chickens until juices run clear, about 1 hour 15 minutes, basting after 30 minutes.

Carefully remove chickens from cans and let rest for 10-15 minutes.  Carve and serve.

Hungarian Beef Goulash

2 T. vegetable oil

2 lb. beef chuck, cut into 2 inch pieces

2 onions, chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 T. paprika

1 tsp. caraway seeds

1 T. tomato paste

2 c. low-sodium chicken broth

1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and chopped

salt & pepper

1/2 c. sour cream, optional

Warm oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Add beef and cook, turning until browned on all sides, 5 to 7  minutes.  Remove to a slow cooker and pour off all but 2 T. fat from skillet.

Add onions to skillet and cook, stirring, until softened, 3 to 5 minutes.  Add garlic and saute 1 minute longer.  Stir in paprika, caraway seeds, tomato paste, and chicken broth.  Bring to boil, stirring to pick up any browned bits on bottom of skillet, and pour over beef in slow cooker. Add bell pepper, cover and cook on low for 6 hours.

Season with salt and pepper.  Serve hot, with sour cream on the side, if desired.

For more recipe ideas check out orgjunkie.com

Menu Plan Monday - week of 9/28/09

The Chicken and Dumplings from last week's menu plan were amazing!  I definitely recommend you giving them a try.  I tweaked the recipe just a bit...I used cream of mushroom soup instead of cream of chicken and added some garlic!

We've got a pretty busy weekend with all that is going at the church, but it's made for a pretty simple menu planning week!

Mon - Sausage Wraps, green beans

Tues - Pulled Pork Sandwiches, homemade fries (didn't get to this one last week) 

Weds - Cheese Stuffed Meatloaf, fresh spinach

Thurs - Left overs

Fri - Cook-out at the park w/ church

Sat - GIC Banquet at church

Sun - Simple Supper Sunday

Don't forget to check out Org Junkie for more recipe ideas!

Menu Plan Monday - week of 9/20/09

Ok, I am trying to get back on track with the menu planning.  Taking a "vacation" from menu planning was not a good idea for me!  Now, I am struggling to get back into the routine.  So, I'm a day late and a dollar short, but here's this week's plan:

Tues - Homemade Fried Chicken, squash, okra

Weds - Taco Salad

Thurs - Pulled Pork Sandwiches, homemade fries 

Fri - Mexican Cornbread Casserole, salad

Sat - Chicken and Dumplings, broccoli, green beans

Sun - Left over buffet

For more fabulous menu ideas, visit orgjunkie.com

Menu Plan Monday - taking a vacation

I am taking a vacation from MPM because we are leaving on vacation!! 

This week is going to be a whirlwind, and though we don't actually leave until Thursday morning, I've decided not to try and plan my meals out this week.  We will just eat whatever we can throw together!!  I'll be spending the next few days getting the camper all packed up for our trip and doing a million other things that seem to need my attention in the next three days.

Happy Labor Day!!

Menu Plan Monday - week of 8/30/09

I'm sure you've noticed by now that I have been using a lot of slow cooker recipes.  Maybe it's time for you to whip out your slow cooker and fall in love with it all over again!  

In my opinion, it is one of the best kitchen appliances that a busy mother can have and also great if you don't really like to cook.  Now, with that being said...I don't particularly like my specific slow cooker, but I love the convenience of preparing my meals in that baby.  I need a replacement, mine is more of a fast cooker than a slow cooker.  If I put meat in there and cook it on low for 8 hours, like most recipes call for, all of my meat would cook away!  Instead, I cook on low for a few hours then I switch it to "keep warm"!!

This is going to be one wild, crazy, busy week.  Looks like I'll only be cooking up supper for three nights this week.

Beef shoulder roast is on sale for $1.99/lb at HEB, so I pulled out the 'ol Pepperoncini Beef Roast recipe that my family fell in love with about a month ago.  Definitely a family favorite!

Mon - Pepperoncini Beef Roast, baked potatoes, steamed cabbage

Tues - Magically Moist Chicken, broccoli, fruit salad

Weds - Dinner @ the Sullivan's

Thurs - Pork Chops, brown rice, salad

Fri - Left overs 

Sat - Labor Day Weekend Plans

Sun - EZ Sunday Supper

For more recipe ideas, please visit orgjunkie.com

Menu Plan Monday - week of 8/23/09

Since I am the one that plans the menu, I always get to decide what we are having for dinner.  So, I figure it's only fair to let the other members of my family decide what they would like to have, for one night anyway!  When I asked Lindsay, she didn't hesitate for a moment before saying spaghetti!!! 

I hope somebody out there somewhere is benefiting from my attempt, albeit poor at times, to menu plan.  I love the idea of menu planning, I just hate having to figure out what to actually put on my menu plan!!  However, I am always glad that I made myself put forth the effort.  And the grocery bill savings is great motivation!

Happy Menu Planning!

Mon - Left overs

Tues - Spaghetti with meatballs (Lindsay's request!), salad, green beans

Weds - Home Group Bible Study

Thurs - BLTs (Lance's request!), corn-on-the-cob, fruit

Fri - Grilled Bruschetta Chicken, Balsamic Grilled squash, salad

Sat - out of town

Sun - Maui Chicken (didn't get to this one last week), rice

For more fabulous recipe ideas, please visit OrgJunkie!

Menu Plan Monday - week of 8/17/09

It's August and it's hot!! I'm kind of tired of sweating it out in my kitchen to get supper on the table and it's way too hot to grill, so I've decided that this weeks menu plan will have a "Slow Cooker" theme. So get out your slow cooker guys and gals, it's time to see what's cooking this week!

Mon - Pizza w/ family

Tues - BBQ Sausage Sandwiches, corn-on-the-cob

Weds - Leftovers

Thurs - Easy Slow Cooked Country Style Pork Ribs, steamed cabbage, fruit salad

Fri - Maui Chicken, rice

Sat - Easy Italian Chicken, green beans

Sun - Simple Supper Sunday

For more fabulous recipes ideas, please visit orgjunkie.com