Week 7 Menus- One pan quick and easy time savers

 Menus for week 7- using shortcut ingredients

This is a week of recipes Made from "shortcut" ingredients that can be quickly put together for those days when you run out of time. They are still hot, healthy and delicious, but only use 1 pan, and takes just a few minutes to pull it together. Keep one or two of these shortcuts in the freezer for emergencies! 

Day 1: Quick frozen veggie stir fry skillet

I start with a package of starter vegetables such at these in a large skillet with a little cooking oil:

Add rotisserie chicken or sliced smoked sausage. (if you have leftover meat such as pork, chicken or beef, these would also work) Having jars of Asian style sauces on hand is a great addition to this recipe.  Once the veggies and meats are heated thoroughly.. If you like a little pasta or rice with this kind of food, there are packages of veggies with the pasta and rice already added. (You can make your own Asian sauce with Teriyaki sauce, brown sugar, garlic and a little cornstarch).  Stir in the sauce and serve hot. Quick and Simple, and a complete 1 pan meal! (Hint- I've also added a package of Raman Noodles to veggies (cooked as instructed on package) when I want to add noodles to the veggies and meat. Cook the noodles until they have absorbed all of the water, then add to vegetables, and lastly add the sauce)

Day 2- Asian lo mein or fried rices using refrigerator leftovers

Another variation on yesterday's theme: Here's an inexpensive meal starter and a good way to use up those leftovers that might go to waste... Also of the Asian variety. When I have leftover Chinese food, or find these on "markdown", We can use any of these in a skillet, add any appropriate leftovers you might have in the fridge, and add a little soy or teriyaki sauce. You can add meats, scrambled eggs, leftover veggies of any kind, beans, etc.  healthy and delicious, and very economical. complete 1 pan meal

Day 3- individual meatball subs.  

These are shortcut ingredients that can be used in multiple ways- Frozen bread dough balls and frozen meat balls. (These dough balls and meatballs can be made from scratch and individually frozen for future use when needing a quick dinner)

Think ahead a little on this one. Set out the dough balls and meatballs so they have time to thaw and the dough has time to rise.  Once the dough balls have risen (2-3 hours or so) roll out flat, add a meatball, 1/2 slice of provolone cheese and a spoon of marinara sauce. Roll up, pinch the sides closed and brush with parmesan and olive oil. Bake at 375 for 20 minutes. Heat extra marinara to dip subs.

This is a basic recipe. You can mix it up with using other cooked meats such as chicken or italian sausage. You can make it Alfredo sauce instead of Marinara, or use Mozzarella, parmesan or even ricotta cheese instead of provolone. Maybe chop a little spinach or onion to add to the sub. Again, using your creativity can keep you from the added expense of having to purchase ingredients.

Day 4   Sheet Pan Nachos   

Tortilla chips are the quick base to this quick and easy meal. If you have prepared ground beef in the freezer, thaw the beef and add 1 pkg of taco seasoning mix and some prepared salsa. Preheat oven to 400 and use cooking spray on your sheet pan. Place tortilla chips in a single layer on the sheet pan and add your browned ground beef mixture. Add 1 can of drained and rinsed black beans, a drained can of corn, and a mix of shredded Monterrey jack and cheddar cheeses, about 1-1 1/2 cups. Spread evenly over the chips, meat, beans and corn. Place in the oven until hot and cheeses have melted. Serve immediately. You can top these nachos with jalapenos, sour cream, green or red onion, tomatoes, salsa, guacamole or cilantro, whatever you have on hand.

Day 5  Fresh stir fry kit 

This is a variation of the frozen and leftover varieties of Asian one pan meals, maybe a little more nutritious because you start with fresh vegetables. The advantage is that this package comes with sauces. Again, stir fry the vegies in a skillet with a little oil. Add any meat you have on hand if desired. Once the veggies have slightly softened, stir in the sauce packet. serve hot. Really, you can add anything you like to these veggie stir fry meals. A healthy, hot and nutritious meal in minutes!

You may have noticed I love to get things on markdown... as long as I can adjust the menu to include them within a couple of days.

Day 6 - croissant pizza

This is a quick supper. spray a sheet pan with cooking spray, and spread a can of croissant dough on pan and seal the perforations. brush with olive oil, parmesan cheese and a little chopped or dried basil, (or use a little jarred pesto- careful, this is a strong flavor, so use sparingly) or use prepared pizza sauce- or both. Add shredded mozzarella cheese and any pizza ingredients you have on hand. This is another time browned beef, sausage or rotisserie chicken comes in handy. Bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes, or until crust is golden brown, and cheese is bubbly. serve immediately

Day 7  - frozen pasta skillets

This is another variation of the one pan quick supper meal. It is complete, and you just add water, cover and cook. Done in minutes. I like these meals enough that I try to replicate the ingredients on days when I have the time. They are delicious. I do add more frozen veggies to this bag of pasta to stretch the meal to feed more (one of the hazards of feeding a large family), and because it makes me feel good when my family gets plenty of veggies! lol

Dessert and/or bread recipe- quick and easy Apple dump loaf:

Mix 1 yellow cake mix, 4 large eggs, 1 can of apple pie filling (mashed), a chopped apple, 1 C self rising flour and 1 Tbsp cinnamon. Mix together and pour into 2 greased bread pans. Bake at 325 for 35-40 minutes, or until firm and brown. You can use a powdered sugar and water glaze over the top. Serve warm with vanilla bean ice cream- so yummy!

Organizational tip- 

Have a morning plan, which starts with a short list of necessary items to start the day successfully. 

First and Foremost, spend time in the Word and Prayer. This is always best before the kids get up, if you can! Make it a special time. I make a cup of coffee, sit down with my devotional book, listen to a set of predetermined scriptures, then spend time talking to God. Have a comfy place. Enjoy this time with God. Find one thing that is especially helpful from God's Word. Think about ways to apply it to your daily life. 

Now, get up and do these things:

1. Make the bed and pick up clutter and laundry

2. Set out meat or frozen foods to prepare for supper prep.

3. Start 1 load of laundry

4. Unload the dishwasher (or put away dishes from drainer) Load or wash whatever is in the sink or countertop.

Think about it. If these things are done before your day starts, you are prepared for the events of the day, and you feel motivated to continue. If you get up with the kids, rush around to get their breakfast, find them something clean to wear, forget to set out meat for supper, bedroom is a mess when I go back in there, my whole day will feel like chaos. (Let all things be done decently and in order- 1 Corinthians 14:40) I have found that I look forward to my early morning quiet time before the family gets up. I seem to acquire a sense of organization and calmness during this time. It keeps my mind from the "whirlwind" and I can think clearly as I contemplate the order and purpose of my day. During this time, I might make a list of things to do that day, assign chores for the kids-organizing their day, Making a grocery list or menus, etc. Ordering your day brings peace to chaos.

Week 6 Menus

WEEK 6 MENUS 

Having had a medical condition with my mother, I did not post menus last week. However.... here's another set. This week I've done some multi-purpose cooking I hope will be helpful and time-saving, as well as money-saving. 

The first 3 recipes are all from 1 pork roast used in 3 ways. Very economical.

Day 1- BBQ Pork Sandwiches- freezable

1 inexpensive bone-in pork roast- crock pot with 4 C water, 1 pkg italian dressing mix, 1 pkg brown gravy mix, 1 pkg ranch dressing mix. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, until falling apart. Remove roast and cool. Remove bone and excess fat. Shred meat, and divide 1/2 into a bowl.  add 1/2 C bbq sauce to 1/2 meat and serve hot on buns.  Put broth in airtight container in refrigerator, or freeze. Store the other 1/2 of the meat in airtight container and refrigerate or freeze.

Day 2- Carnitas -freezable

(Using the other half of the pork roast meat). Add 1T Cumin, 1t garlic powder, 1T onion powder, 1/2 C Salsa 1t salt, 1/2t pepper, 1T chili powder, heat in saucepan (or you can put it in a crockpot on low until hot.)  In a hot skillet, heat 8 flour tortillas. Fill each with meat mixture, sprinkle cheese and roll into a burrito. Top with salsa, sour cream, guacamole

Day 3- Bean Soup  freezable

(Using the broth from the Pork Roast) The night before you make this soup, soak 1lb of dry northern, pinto or navy beans in a crock pot of water. Do not turn it on. The next morning, drain and rinse the beans in a colander. Place beans back in crock pot, add pork broth, skimming the fat off of the top. Add 1 bay leaf, 1t garlic, 2T minced onions, 2t salt, 1t pepper, 2 or 3 chopped carrots, 2C shredded cabbage or 1 bag fresh slaw mix, 1 can crushed tomatoes (or use fresh tomatoes chopped). Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until suppertime. Serve with Cornbread! (bread recipe of the week) yum

These 3 days of meals should also have leftovers, so it is a very economical way to cook. If you want more variety from day to day, freeze the cooked meat and broth for up to 3 months, and bring them out when you need a quick meal. 

Day 4- Sausage gravy with biscuits

Use either canned grand biscuits as directed or you can use Rachel's biscuits from week 1. Brown 1 lb of sausage in large fryer skillet (tall sides) on med high. Add 2T vegetable oil. sprinkle 1/3C flour over the meat, and mix, letting the flour fry for about 30 seconds. Stir in 4C milk, mixing until flour is incorporated well. Add 1t salt, 1/4t pepper. Reduce heat to medium. Continue stirring until gravy thickens. Serve hot over hot biscuits.

Day 5- Boxed rice mix dinner-  When you need a quick-fix

This is an easy, quick meal with very little preparation. It can be done in a variety of ways, and with a variety of meats/veggies. Rice a Roni boxed mixes or Aldi's has a rice dinner mix. They come in a variety of flavors.  In a deep skillet, brown 1 lb of ground beef. (or use a frozen package of pre-browned hamburger)When browned and hot, follow the instructions on a box of "Rice dinner mix" or "Rice a Roni". Brown the rice in butter, add water with sauce mix.  Add a vegetable of choice- broccoli is good with the beef rice, I add either teriyaki or soy sauce to taste for the beef/broccoli for an Asian flair. Corn is a good add-in with Spanish rice or Mexican rice.  If I'm making the Spanish or Mexican rice, I like to add Rotel tomatoes, or even a little salsa to add a Mexican flavor. I've used the chicken flavor and added cooked chicken and veggies, and it is a good hearty meal as well. Again, if your meat is precooked, this meal goes together in just a few minutes...a one pan complete meal with vegetables. Use your creative skills on this one.

Day 6- Garlic chicken strips- freezable

Preheat oven to 350*. In a small saucepan, on low heat, melt 1/2 C butter and sauté 4 cloves of minced garlic until tender. In a shallow bowl, mix 3/4C dry bread crumbs, 1/2C grated parmesan cheese, 1 1/2 Cups shredded cheddar cheese, 1/4t dried parsley, 1/4t dried oregano, 1/8t salt 1/4t ground black pepper. Use either 8 chicken breast tenders, or 4 chicken breasts cut lengthwise in half. Dip chicken in butter mix, and press into breadcrumb mix. Arrange chicken into 9x13 baking dish. Drizzle remaining garlic butter and bread crumb mix over the top. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, or until chicken juices are clear.  

Here's a tip- Since your oven will be hot anyway, stick another 9x13 pan of single layered finely diced red potatoes and some fresh veggies, (carrots, broccoli, green beans, asparagus, brussel sprouts, mushrooms, kale, zucchini, squash, ...) sprinkle with salt and pepper and drizzle a little olive oil and put it in the oven with the chicken. Cook until tender.

Day 7- Asian fish Bowl  Want to try something a little different?

In rice cooker, or saucepan on the stove, Bring 2 C water and 1t salt to a boil. Pour in 1C Jasmine rice. return to boil. Remove from heat, cover with lid.  Let set covered for 15 minutes. Fluff with fork. Do not remove lid during resting time. Rinse 4 pieces of whitefish, pat dry with a paper towel. sprinkle with Kosher Salt and pepper both sides. On med. high, heat 4T oil in skillet until hot. Add fish portions. Cook on both sides about 2-3 minutes until browned and fish flakes apart with a fork. remove from pan. Add 2T sesame seeds to oil. fry until golden brown. In 4 individual bowls, layer 1. rice 2. Fish 3. 2 T. Sesame sauce (either bottled or recipe link below) 4. 1/2C bagged slaw mix 5. 2T chopped green onion 6. 1T sesame sauce 7. toasted sesame seeds. You can top with tempura, chopped peanuts, fried won ton strips or crunchy chow mien noodles for crunch if desired.

Tempura- use your favorite fish breading mix, add water to make very runny, Heat oil in a saute pan to very hot. drizzle watery fish breading in hot oil and fry to golden. Remove crunchies and place on paper towel to drain.

You can make your own Sesame Sauce: Sesame Chicken Sauce | Allrecipes

Bread of the week- Here's an easy cornbread recipe!

Use 2 boxes of Jiffy Cornbread mix- according to directions. Add 1/2 C Southwestern or jalapeno dip- yep the kind in the tub like sour cream. Add 1 C shredded cheddar cheese, 1 small can chopped green chilis and 2T melted butter. mix. spoon into well-greased muffin tin about 1/2-2/3 full. Bake as directed on Jiffy Mix box until golden brown. 

Dessert of the week- Mousse

Here is another way to use your creativity gene! The mousse is a basic recipe, and you decide what flavor, add-ins, and toppings. I did this with the grandkids over the last couple of weeks, and they pretty much loved the chocolate and Oreos. 

Basic mousse: mix 1/2C of sugar, 1C heavy whipping cream and 1t vanilla extract.  If making a chocolate base, add 1/4C cocoa.  If making strawberry, add 1/4C strawberry syrup. Then whip cream with mixer until stiff peaks form in the cream. In a small bowl, mix 1t unflavored gelatin in 1T cold water and stir until dissolved then add 2T boiling water and stir until clear. Whip gelatin into the whipped cream mix until incorporated thoroughly.  Fold in 6 crushed Oreo cookies if making an Oreo mousse. Or fold in 1/2C chopped strawberries to a strawberry mousse. We made a basic chocolate mousse with raspberry extract for a chocolate raspberry mousse. Experiment by adding peanut butter and peanut butter cups, or caramel with caramel syrup or ice cream topping. Just make the basic mousse, flavor it, then add any add-ins you like. Top with toppings and whipped cream.

Cleaning tip-  Here's a nugget of information that took me years to discover. Bathtub cleaner that actually works:

In a spray bottle, mix 1part white vinegar, 1part clarifying shampoo (or dawn dish soap). Spray on bathtub. Let it set for 15 minutes. With a nylon scrubber in circular motions, scrub the tub. Rinse with clean water. For excessively soiled tubs (sinks or any greasy surfaces) repeat process. 

week 5 menus

 Menu Plans for the week of February 1-7

Day 1- EASY PEASY POT ROAST freezable

This is an easy crock pot meal- Just put your roast (chuck, round) in the crock pot. Mix 1 envelope of ranch dressing mix, 1 envelope of Italian dressing mix and 1 envelope of brown gravy mix with 1/2 C of water. Pour over the roast, and cook on low for 7-8 hours. If you want, you could add some baby carrots or red skinned potatoes. The broth makes a wonderful gravy, or soup base for later. 

For gravy, remove the roast, Pour broth into a saucepan. Bring to a boil. In a small boil, combine 1/2 C flour and 1 C water. Mix. Whisk slowly into the boiling broth until thickened. Salt and pepper to taste.

You  can freeze leftover roast, or cut it up for stew, or season and shred it for taquitos or burritos

Day 2- Jambalaya (Taste of Home)

Dice meats- whatever is on hand- chicken, smoked sausage and ham are my favorites. In a skillet, saute 1 finely chopped onion, bell pepper, 4 cloves minced garlic, 2T oil, until vegetables are tender. Add meats, cook for 5 minutes. Stir in 1-28 oz can diced tomatoes undrained, 1 C uncooked long-grain rice, 1 can chicken broth (or bone broth) 3T parsley, 1t salt, 1/2t pepper 3/4t dried thyme. Pour into 9x13 baking dish. Cover and bake at 350* for 1 hour, untl rice is tender and liquid absorbed.

Day 3-Green Chili Flautas (Taste of Home)

In large skillet, brown 1 1/2 lbs ground beef, drain. Add 1 C shredded cheddar cheese, 1 r oz can chopped green chilies, drained, and 1/2 tsp cumin. Warm 10- 6inch flour tortillas. brush both sides with melted butter. Spoon beef mixture down the center of each tortilla. Roll up tightly; place seam side down in a greased 9x13 baking dish. Bake at 500* for 5-7 minutes or until golden brown. Brush once with remaining butter. Serve with toppings of your choice.

Day 4- Cheeseburger soup

One of our favorites. This is another one of those dinners for cold and blustery evenings. It has meat, cheese, vegetable and potatoes, so it is a complete meal in one pot. In a large saucepan, brown 1 1/2 lbs hamburger. drain, and set aside. In same pan, melt 1T butter. add 1 chopped onion, 3/4 C shredded carrots, 1 tsp of basil and parsley for about 10 minutes. Remove vegetables, melt 3T butter and 1/4 C flour, mix together for about 3 minutes.  Add 3 C chicken broth, 4 C chopped red skin-on potatoes, meat 1 bag frozen corn (or 1 can drained corn), and veggies. Stir, deglazing pan. (scraping the good stuff that was stuck to the bottom of the pan to flavor the broth) bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Cook 10-12 minutes, or until potatoes are tender. Add 8 oz of cubed velveeta cheese, 1 1/2 C milk, 3/4t salt, 1/4t pepper. Stir until cheese is melted, remove from heat and blend in 1/4 C sour cream. Serve hot.

Day 5- Dinner pancakes.  (freezable)

Best advice when in a hurry, use a mix! haha However, if you don't have a mix and want to make pancakes, here's a good recipe from my Brides Book of Ideas. Combine 2C flour, 5t baking powder, 1/2t salt, 2 1/2T sugar, 2 eggs, 2C milk and 5T melted shortening. Heat griddle to 350* (hot) grease lightly. Pour batter on griddle. When the top is full of holes, turn and bake until golden...turn only once!  Serve with syrup and butter. Brown some sausage, ham or bacon to serve as a side. These are good with fruit, whipped cream, or try adding chopped fruit or chocolate chips to the batter before cooking. Use a metal cookie cutter to make shapes on the griddle. Kids enjoy this.

Day 6- Chicken Bacon Ranch Croissant Ring- 

This is one of those fancy looking, easy to make, and tastes really good, meals. Open 2 Cans of croissant dough. Lay dough on a round pizza pan sprayed with cooking spray, fat sides overlapping toward the middle, and points facing out.  In a bowl, mix 1 C sour cream, 2T chives, 1T onion powder, 1/4C milk, 1T ranch dressing mix (1 packet). Mix together and microwave 30-60 seconds. mix thoroughly. Add 2 C chicken, 1 C shredded cheddar, 1/2C crumbled bacon, 1/4C chopped green onion. Mix, and place on fat part of croissant ring. Wrap ends over the top, and tuck underneath. Melt 2T butter. Add 1t garlic powder. Mix. With pastry brush, brush the top of croissant dough with the butter mix. Bake at 375* for 20-25 minutes, or until dough turns golden. Let stand 10 minutes, slice and serve.

Here are some options for other fillings.

• Taco meat mixed with cheddar
• Scrambled eggs, bacon and cheese
• Ham and swiss
• Chicken with broccoli and cheddar
• Pizza topping filled croissants with mozzarella
• Apple or cherry pie filling
• Strawberries and cream cheese
• Chocolate s'mores
• Hawaiian BBQ chicken
• Leftover turkey dinner croissant
• Create your own!

As you see, the way you can use this is endless. You can adjust the fillings and do what suits your family's taste. This one would be fun to include the kids in the building process. They will be so excited to see the beautiful golden ring that you pull out of the oven, and for kids, it always tastes better when they made it! 

Day 7- Fried fish

Beat 2 eggs in a bowl. In separate bowl, crush 1 1/2 C Saltine crackers. Rinse 2 lbs whitefish fillets, pat dry, salt and pepper both sides. Heat oil (med High heat) in skillet till sizzling hot. (test with cracker crumb) Dip fish in egg, then roll in cracker crumbs. Carefully place fillet in oil, a few at a time. Brown for about 2 minutes on each side. It should flake easily with a fork. Place on paper towel to drain. This is excellent with a hash brown casserole or scalloped potatoes and a side of broccoli! By the way, if you want a tartar sauce, mix 1 C mayonnaise, 2T sweet pickle relish and 1T finely chopped onion. 

BREAD RECIPE OF THE WEEK:

Pumpkin chip muffins  (freezable)

·         4 eggs, 2 C. sugar, 1- 16 oz can pumpkin , 1 ½ C vegetable oil, 3 C. flour,  2 tsp. baking soda, 2 tsp. baking powder, 1 tsp. ground cinnamon, 2 tsp. salt, 1 ½ C chocolate chips                                              In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs, sugar, pumpkin and oil until smooth. Add dry ingredients and mix well. Fold in chocolate chips. Fill greased muffin cups ¾ full. Bake 16-20 minutes at 400. Cool on rack.

      DESSERT OF THE WEEK: 

Layered chocolate pudding dessert:

You can make a graham cracker or pie crust. If using a pie crust, spread into 9x13 pan, and bake at 350 until edges are golden. Cool completely. Graham cracker crust: 1 1/2C finely ground graham cracker crumbs, 1/3 C white sugar, 6T melted butter... mix and press into 9x13 pan. Bake at 375* for 7 minutes. Cool completely.

Fillings- 

mix- 8 oz cream cheese, 1C powdered sugar, 1 C Cool Whip

Spread over cooled crust

Mix- 4 1/2 oz box chocolate pudding mix with 1 3/4C milk. 

Spread over cream cheese mix

Spread remaining cool whip over the top. Cover and refrigerate

Use any pudding flavor you desire. 

Parenting tip:  Making mealtime count:

Parenting goals are so important. Look to the future of your child. What is important? Education? Marriage? Career? Yes, but nothing is more important than the spiritual growth. It forms who they are before God, and before others. It is their moral compass for every decision. It guides their future, and makes them into the person they will become. It may not seem significant at the time, but mealtime is one of the best times to instill and influence the spiritual areas. 1. Memorize scripture- this will be with them for the rest of their lives, even when you are not there to give them guidance anymore, God's Word will guide them in truth-if they know it. 2. Talk about what concerns them, and point them to scripture and what it says about that thing. 3. Discuss the events of their day. Help them to see how God used each difficulty, situation and relationship to build His character in their lives, and to minister to the needs of others. Maybe talk about what we "could have done" instead that would have been better. Build into their lives. Give them an understanding of how God works in lives. When they hit the "REALLY" tough situations in life (and they will), these things will be there to guide them through. Mealtime is a most important time of the day. Use it. Pray together, learn to encourage one another. When else do we get the opportunity to have a captive audience with our kids. Develop this habit now, and when they become teenagers, the communication will already be established. I call this "Mealtime with a purpose". 

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week 4 menus

Going into our 4th week of recipes, remember to not let the "cooking days" put you in bondage. If you have leftovers, warm them up for your meal instead of making something new that day. These are just ideas. Run with them, change up some of the recipes and create something that your family enjoys.  Warm up fish sticks, canned soup or corn dogs on days that are particularly hectic when you haven't got leftovers. Or use a meal you put in the freezer for days like this! It's ok. These are just tips, not laws.

Recipes for the week of January 24-30

Day 1- BBQ meatballs -freezable

Mix 1½ lb ground beef,  2/3 C. milk, 1 C. oatmeal, 1 egg, 1 onion finely chopped, 1 tsp. garlic powder,  ¼ tsp. black pepper and 1 tsp. seasoned salt in large bowl, using hands until combined thoroughly. Form into uniform balls and place in 9x13 pan. Bake for 15 minutes at 350 uncovered, remove from oven and drain grease. Make sauce in a mixing bowl: 1 C. Ketsup,   ¾ C. brown sugar, 1 T. liquid smoke, ¼ tsp. garlic powder. Stir together and Pour sauce over the top of the meatballs and return to the oven. Bake an additional 45 minutes. Serve hot. Wonderful with some whipped potatoes!

Day 2- Italian Soup- freezable, before pasta is added, Can easily be adapted to crock pot or instapot

Ingredients:  1 lb Italian sausage,  1/2 C finely chopped green pepper, ½ C finely chopped onion, 2- 28 oz cans crushed tomatoes, 4- 8 oz cans tomato sauce, 6 C water, 6 chicken bullion cubes, ½ t garlic,  ¾ C small pasta shells, Shredded cheese

In a dutch oven brown sausage, peppers and onion. Drain. Add remaining ingredients, except pasta and cheese. Cover and simmer for 30 min. Add pasta. Simmer another 10-12 minutes or until pasta is tender. Serve hot, topped with cheese. Great with breadsticks!

Day 3- Curry Chicken- crock pot friendly!

1 cut up chicken parts (I use bone-in breasts), 1 T white vinegar, 5 cloves, 3 T garlic salt, 2 T. ketsup, 1 ½ T curry powder, 1 med. Onion chopped, Red pepper flakes, ¼ C. oil, 1 T. salt, 1 1/2 c water, Gold variety Potatoes and shredded cabbage

 Cook chicken in spices in crock pot on high about 6 hours. Remove bones and set aside meat. Cook potatoes and cabbage in broth/spices until potatoes on high 2 hours until potatoes are tender. Chop chicken. Add chicken back to broth when ready to serve.

Serve with flour tortillas or roti (Indian bread) and toppings, such as Green onion, Green peppers, Coconut, Peanuts, Raisins, Pineapple

Day 4- Christmas morning Hashbrown casserole-freezable

Ingredients: 1 bag frozen shredded hash browns, 1 can cream of chicken soup, 1 stick salted butter- melted, 8 oz sour cream,  8 oz shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1 lb cubed smoked sausage, 1 lb browned chopped bacon, 1 lb browned pork sausage.

Mix all ingredients well. Put in greased 9x13 pan. Cover with foil. Bake at 375* for 45 min-1 hour or until bubbly in the middle.

Day 5- Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Quick and easy, for a fast supper when you forgot to prepare in advance. Butter outside of bread slices, put a slice of cheese (any kind will work) in the middle. You can use lunchmeat if you have any. In a skillet or griddle on med high heat, toast both sides until golden brown. You can serve with canned soup, or serve with chips.

Day 6- Pan fried steak with garlic butter from Natasha's kitchen and Oven roasted ranch potatoes

• 2 lbs New York Strip Steaks (2 steaks) or Ribeye or Top Sirloin Steaks (1 lb each steak, 1 1/4” thick) or whatever you have
• 1/2 Tbsp vegetable oil or any high heat cooking oil like canola or extra light olive oil
• 1 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp black pepper freshly ground
• 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 cloves garlic peeled and quartered
• 1 sprig fresh rosemary

1. Thoroughly pat steak dry with paper towels. Just before cooking, generously season with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper

2. 
   

   Heat the cast iron pan until hot then add 1/2 Tbsp oil over medium-high heat, swirling to coat. Once the oil is very hot, add steaks to the skillet. Sear the steaks on the first side for 4 minutes until a brown crust has formed then flip and cook another 3-4 minutes. Using tongs, turn the steak on its sides to render the white fat and sear the edges (1-minute per edge).

3. Reduce heat to medium and immediately add 2 Tbsp butter, quartered garlic cloves and rosemary to the pan. Spoon the butter sauce over the steak, tilting the pan to get butter on your spoon. Continue spooning the sauce over the steak for a minute or until the steak is about 5-10 degrees from your desired doneness (the temperature will continue to rise another 5-10 degrees while steaks rest).

4. Transfer steak to a cutting board, loosely cover and rest 10 minutes before slicing into 1/2" strips to serve. Spoon extra butter sauce over sliced steak to serve.

This is good with roasted potatoes- scrub red skinned potatoes, cut into 1inch cube (approx. Spread 1/4 C oil on baking sheet with sides. Set oven at 450*. Place diced potatoes on baking sheet. stir around in the oil. Sprinkle kosher salt and pepper. Bake approx. 25 min, turning every 10 minutes or so until starting to brown. Be sure to scrape anything sticking- this is the good stuff!!! Remove from oven and sprinkle with Ranch dressing mix. (if desired)

Day 7- Saucy beef and cheese Enchiladas- freezable

Brown 2 lbs of hamburger with 1 onion, finely chopped, drain, add 2 cans (4 oz) of chopped green chilies, salt and pepper. Set aside. Pour 1- 24 oz can of red enchilada sauce in 9x13 (or larger) baking dish. Heat 1/2 C oil in skillet. place corn tortillas in hot oil to soften, not to crisp. (10-14 tortillas) Remove and drain on paper towel. Dip both sides of tortilla in red sauce, fill with beef down the center, add about 2T of shredded cheddar down the middle, roll and place seam side down in the same baking dish. repeat to fill pan. Pour another can of red enchilada sauce over the top, and use any remaining cheddar over the top. Cover and bake at 350* for 20 minutes or until bubbly.  Serve with sour cream, chopped green onion, guacamole, chopped tomatoes, olives...or not. 

Bread of the week: Red Lobster cheddar bay biscuits

Mix 2 cups Bisquick, 2/3 C milk, and 1/2 C shredded cheddar cheese. Drop by spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 450 for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown. Melt 1/2 C butter and stir in 1/4 tsp garlic powder. Brush over the top of the hot biscuits.

Dessert of the week:  Frosted butter cookies Cream 2 C softened butter with 1 3/4 C sugar. Beat in 1 egg yolk, and gradually add 4 C flour. Roll into 1 inch balls and flatten with a flat-bottom glass dipped in flour. Bake at 375* for 8-10 min until lightly brown. Place on wire rack to cool. Frost with frosting of various colors.

BEST ADVICE EVER GIVEN TO ME AS A YOUNG MOM:

Encourage your kids- Always let them hear you praising others, building up your husband, acknowledging your children's achievements, praising the times they show good character. Shaming them in front of others makes them want to give up. Always make reproofs private. Yes kids, I know I didn't always do this, and I'm sorry. They get enough "toughening up" in the real outside world. Make home a place of love and acceptance for them. Proverbs 14:1  Every wise woman builds her house; But the foolish plucks it down with her own hands. 

Week 3 Menu Plans

Day 1- Pulled Pork Sandwiches- inspired by Ree Drummond  (freezable)

This dish is made from a pork butt (otherwise known as a Pork Shoulder Roast) It freezes so well, you will be able to have at least two or more freezer meals for later. It is a perfect inexpensive meal when you need to feed a larger crowd. Especially if you raised your own pigs!

Rub the Pork Roast with the following dry rub:

1/4 C Brown sugar, 1 T chili powder, 1 T paprika, 2 t garlic powder, 2 t kosher salt, 1 t ground black pepper, 1 t cayenne pepper.  

Rub all over the roast, then wrap in plastic wrap and set overnight in the refrigerator. In the morning, place 2 large halved onions in deep roasting pan, and unwrapped roast and set it on top. Cover with foil Cook at 300 * for 7 hours. (ready by supper!) Or use a large crock pot on low for 8 hours. Remove from oven, remove from pan and rest to cool on a cutting board. chop up the cooked onion halves. Pour juice into a saucepan, add 1 C of good barbecue sauce, and heat. Remove the layer of fat on the top of the roast, and pull the pork (shred), using 2 forks. It should be falling apart tender. Put the pork back into the pan, mix in the chopped onions, and pour the sauce over the top. Serve as a meat dish, or put it on buns with bbq sauce. 

This meal is actually 3 or more meals in one, because you will have some "quick, defrost in the microwave" meals for those days with unexpected events, and no time to cook. 

Day 2-  Pasta alfredo

You can use any pasta for this dish. I love cheese ravioli, Rigatoni or fettuccini. Cook according to the directions. 

The sauce is easy and delicious.  3T butter,  8 ounces heavy whipping cream, pinch of ground nutmeg, 1/4 C of each grated parmesan and romano cheeses,  1 egg yolk, salt to taste. Melt butter, add cream, then spices, then cheeses. Once smooth then mix in egg yolk. simmer on low about 5 minutes. Serve hot. 

I love to use some of my rotisserie chicken breast with this meal. However, grilled chicken, steak, shrimp or meatballs are good too. 

I use this alfredo recipe to top a baked or grilled fish as well. Delicious!

Day 3- Curly Ramen Noodle Dinner

1 pound hamburger, browned,  1 pkg beef Ramen, 1 can corn (can use frozen) 1 can stewed tomatoes. (if you brown your hamburger, just use the same pan- one pan meals are easy cleanup) Add all ingredients to your pan, including seasoning in the Ramen, bring to a boil, simmer covered on med low about 10 minutes until noodles are tender. 

Day 4- Creamy chicken enchiladas- (freezable) A Taste of Home recipe

In a large bowl, beat 8 oz cream cheese, 2T water, 2T onion powder, 2t cumin, 1/2t salt, 1/4t pepper until smooth. Mix in 4 C or so of cooked diced chicken. Place 1/4 C mixture down the center of 6 inch flour tortillas (will make approximately 20- 6 inch tortillas)  Place seam side down in 9x13 baking dishes (either do 2 pans, or freeze half on a cookie sheet, then put in a freezer container or bag for a freezer meal later) Combine 2 cans cream of chicken soup, 2 C sour cream (16 oz) 2 cans chopped green chilis.  Bake uncovered at 350 for 30-40 min. Sprinkle with 2 C shredded cheddar, bake 5 minutes longer. This recipe feeds 10 (or 2 meals for 5) 

Day 5- Speedy sausage breakfast pizza

spread out 1 can of croissant roll dough in 9x13 pan, pressing seams together and bake for 6 minutes at 375.  Brown 1 pound of sausage with 1/4c chopped onion. In a bowl, mix 6 eggs, 3/4 C milk 1/2t dried oregano, 1/2t pepper 1/4t garlic salt. Pour over crust, top with sausage mix. Bake for 15-20 min. Sprinkle with 1 C shredded Mozzarella cheese, bake 5 min. longer until cheese melts.  

Day 6- Broccoli and Wild Rice Soup

1 pkg chicken and wild rice mix, 5 C water, 3 C frozen chopped broccoli (thawed) 1 shredded carrot, 2t minced onion, 1 can condensed chicken soup, 1-8oz pkg cream cheese

Another great 1 pot meal, and it goes together quick. In a large saucepan, mix rice, season packet and water. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer 10 minutes. Stir in broccoli, carrots and onion. Cover and simmer 5 minutes. Stir in soup and cream cheese until melted. 

Day 7- Crock pot baked potato night-use with leftovers

Scrub potatoes, poke holes with a fork, and rub skins with olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic salt generously. Wrap in foil, and put in crockpot all day. Once potatoes are soft, split potatoes and add toppings of choice... canned chili (or make your own) cheddar, sour cream, broccoli and cheese package, or any leftover cooked meat you have in the freezer- pork, roast, hamburger, chicken, bacon... Just use anything you need to get rid of. The potato is a great base for any meal. 

Bread recipe of the week:

Mom’s best banana bread, ½ C shortening, 1 C Sugar, 2 eggs,  3 or 4 very ripe bananas mashed,  2 C flour, 1 tsp baking soda 

·        cream shortening and sugar: add eggs and banana, then combine dry ingredients. Spray 2 small or 1 large loaf pans with cooking spray. The pans should be ½ full. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes, or until middle of loaf is set, and doesn’t look wet.  If you like, you can make them into muffins. They cook in approx. 15-20 minutes.

Hint: I have an “ongoing” bag of bananas that I keep in the freezer. When I have more, I peel them and add more to the bag. When the bag is full, it is banana bread day. It freezes well!

Time saving tip of the week: - in your freezer, start a section, shelf, basket of frozen prepared meals. Let the family know where they are so you can delegate heating up dinner if you are unexpectedly detained. As time goes on, you will build a small stash of these dinners. I will try to include "freezeable" labels on some meals, so that as you prep the meals, you can double the recipes and freeze one. This takes very little extra effort but is a lifesaver in a crunch!

Dessert of the week- Crock Pot Chocolate Cake

Mix together 1 chocolate cake mix, 8 oz sour cream, 1 pkg instant chocolate pudding mix, 1 C chocolate chips, 3/4 C oil, 4 eggs, 1 C water. Spray crock pot with cooking spray, Pour mix into crock pot, and cook on low 6-8 hours, or high 3-4 hours.  

Week 2 Menu Plans

Week 2 Menu Plans

Ready for another week? Need to get shopping done for your menu plans? Here we go....

Day 1- Crockpot hash

This is probably the simplest of recipes.  All you need is a bag or frozen Southern style hashbrowns (with or without the peppers added-whatever you prefer) 1 pkg onion soup mix, 1 can beef broth, 1 lb browned hamburger seasoned with onions, 1 bag of frozen corn, dash of pepper and throw it in a crockpot for 3-4 hours, stirring occasionally, until bubbly hot.  That's it! This is another recipe that would be quicker if you had pre-browned hamburger in freezer bags. Comfort food at its finest! This is Charity's favorite meal.

Day 2- French toast Casserole

Another breakfast for supper. This recipe is great when you notice that your bread is going stale. (before the mold forms!) French bread, sandwich bread, uneaten rolls, or even that bread recipe that flopped and no one wants to eat it! it really doesn't matter. Cut it into cubes and leave it out overnight. Set out a cube of cream cheese to soften as well.  The next morning, mix up a dozen eggs (cheap protein source...especially if you raise your own chickens or your nephew sells them to you at a great price) with 1/2 C milk, 1 T cinnamon and 1/2 C brown sugar. Mix egg mixture with bread. Put half in a 9x13 pan add berries- any you might have on hand. (blueberries or strawberries are amazing) Frozen will work as well. spread the softened cream cheese around as much as possible. (I smash it flat) Add the other half of the bread mixture on top, and top with berries. Pat 1/2 stick butter over the top. Bake uncovered at 350 for 45 minutes. Serve hot with pancake syrup. If you like, this pairs well with sausage or bacon. If money is tights, the berries and cream cheese can be optional making this a very economical yet filling protein rich meal.  This is your breakfast dinner of the week!

Day 3- crock pot roasted chicken (freezable)

Chicken, yep that bone in chicken.  Make a spice mix- Paprika, salt, pepper, onion, thyme and garlic powder. Put rinsed chicken in crock pot breast side up, blot dry, rub a little oil over the whole bird, then spread and pat the spices all over. Cook on low for 8 hours. Falling apart juicy! (You can pull out the bones before serving, and use the method below to make a bone broth- makes the best soup in the world!)

Day 4-Tortilla Soup (freezable)

Use a bag of  "already browned ground beef with onions". (see how handy this is???) In your trusty crockpot- add your hamburger, 2 cans black beans, 1 can enchilada sauce, 3 Cups beef stock, 2 tsp chili powder, 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp cilantro,  garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, 1 bag frozen corn (or 1 can drained corn), and jalapenos (optional) If your jalapenos are in a jar, this is a great place to use some of the liquid. This enhances the flavor! Cook all day. Add more water to soup consistency. Serve with tortilla chips crumbled on top, sour cream, green onion, fresh cilantro and shredded cheese, chopped avocado, chopped tomatoes- or any other toppings you have on hand... Great on a cold or rainy day.

Day 5- Broccoli Ham roll ups

Here's an unexpectedly delicious meal. We got this one from a chef who worked at the Hyatt. Easy, healthy and fast! You will need a boneless ham (such as farmland). Take it to the butcher (Leekers still does this) and ask them to slice it in thick sandwich slices. (I actually would buy a whole boneless ham on sale, and ask the butcher to slice half, and "shave" half very thin. I could freeze half of the slices, and half of the shaved sandwich meat, and use these portions for sandwiches or to add to scrambled eggs or casseroles) . Roll a broccoli spear (fresh or frozen) and shredded cheddar inside the ham slice, and secure it with a toothpick. Place in ungreased 9x13 pan. Sprinkle more cheddar on top. Cover with foil and Bake at 375* for 20 minutes. Great with a baked potato, or roasted red skin potatoes. You already have the veggie! If you don't like broccoli, use whole green beans or asparagus. (This ham is much cheaper by the pound than lunchmeat)

 Day 6- Company Chicken and Rice

Here is a great time to use that chicken bone broth, and either the frozen breasts or thighs! Pre-preparation pays off big time!

Steam 1 1/2 Cups of rice in 3 Cups of water with a pinch of salt. (instructions below) Pour rice into deep 9x13 pan.  Put 2 C chicken bone broth or 2 cans of chicken broth in 5 quart saucepan with 4 T. butter and bring to a boil. In a bowl, combine 1/2 C flour with 2 C water. Whisk together until combined. Slowly whisk flour mixture into boiling broth until thickened. reduce heat to med low. Add 1/2 Velveeta cheese loaf, cubed, stir until melted. Add 1 C cream (You can use milk). Stir in Cooked cubed chicken. Pour over rice, cover with foil and bake at 350* for 20 minutes, or until bubbly. Now this is key to this casserole- 1 sleeve Ritz-type crackers crushed, mixed with 4 T melted butter- mix. Spread over the top of your bubbly casserole, return to oven for about 7 or 8 minutes, until the crackers are browned. Serve Hot.

Day 7- Taco pizza

a twist on an old favorite. If using ready made pizza dough, fit the dough on the pizza pan crimping the edges. Brush with oil. spread refried beans generously over crust. Add taco meat.(seasoned ground beef, sausage or chicken with taco seasoning mix- see recipe below if making your own) spread salsa over the meat. Bake at 500* until crust is golden brown- about 10 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes. Top with lettuce, tomato and shredded cheddar cheese. cut into pizza wedges, and serve with salsa and sour cream.

Seasoned taco meat- brown hamburger with chopped onions. When meat is partially browned, add taco seasoning packet and  1/2 Cup of water. Cook down to desired consistency...

 or make your own taco seasoning.  Recipe on this post.

or make your own pizza crust. Recipe on this post- bread of the week.

Cooking tip of the week steaming rice: I didn't know how to properly cook rice until later in my adult life, so here it is! If you can find a rice steamer on Marketplace, do it. Especially if your family loves rice like mine does. My steamer goes in the microwave. Basically, rice is a 2 to 1 ratio of 2 Cups water to 1 cup rice.  (I like Basmati or Jasmine best- it doesn't get sticky) Add a pinch of salt, Cook rice and water to a rolling boil on stovetop, or in a covered microwave rice cooker 12-15 minutes.   Keep lid on pan and remove from heat for 20 minutes. be sure not to open the lid. The steam cooks the rice. Remove lid and fluff with a fork.

Taco seasoning mix- in an airtight container mix 2t chili powder, 1½ t paprika, 1 t onion powder, ½ t sea salt, ½ t garlic powder, ½ teaspoon ground cumin, ½ teaspoon oregano, ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 1 pinch cayenne pepper, 1 pinch red pepper flakes

Bread recipe of the week:

 Here is an all purpose pizza crust recipe. I've made it "bread machine" friendly to save time, but you can just mix this together into a ball, then put it on a floured surface, knead for 5-10 minutes, rest and raise for about an hour in a greased bowl. Punch down, and fit into pizza pans, or freeze.

  2 cups warm water, but not hot, 2 T dry yeast, 2t sugar, 2t salt, 4T oil, 5 C flour 1T basil, 1t oregano in this order.

Turn bread machine to 'dough" setting. It will mix, knead and raise and punch down in the machine. Remove the dough onto a floured surface, then cut it in half. You can freeze this dough if you'd like, putting it in airtight freezer bags for 4-6 weeks. or make 2 pizza's- Roll out the crust and fit it into your pizza pan.  This works for any other kind of pizza.

Dessert recipe of the week:

GRANDPAPA’S FAVORITE BANANA PUDDING

Ingredients: 4-6 bananas,   Vanilla wafers, 2 – 4 oz boxes vanilla pudding mix,  3 C cold milk, 1 8 oz carton Cool Whip.

In a 9x13 pan, layer vanilla wafers then sliced bananas.  In mixing bowl, add pudding mix and milk. Mix for 2 minutes. Pour over bananas. Refrigerate for 1 hour. Top with Cool Whip. Cover and refrigerate.  Quick and easy. 

Time/money saving tip of the week:

Sam's sells large rotisserie chickens and sometimes pkgs of 4 bone-in breast or thigh portions in the refrigerated case. I love to purchase these for a time-saver and freeze it in portions. Remove the breasts and thighs from the bone. Freeze breast portions in ziploc bags for a quick meat in casseroles, stir fry's and soups. Same with the thighs. Take the legs and meaty portion of the wings, leaving the bone in, and freeze together in a ziploc bag (makes great bbq wings). (be sure to mark each package so you know what they are) Take the bones and skin from carcass, put them in the crock pot with: A bay leaf, salt, pepper 1 T white vinegar, thyme, parsley, onion and garlic powder, and any spice that "strikes your fancy". (a phrase from the olden days!) Add about 8 Cups of water. Cook on low for 24 hours, more or less. (add water if needed) Strain broth into a freezer container and VOILA! Healthy bone broth! Now you have 3 pkgs of meats for meals and a delicious broth for soup, from 1 chicken, ready to use at a moment's notice!  For larger families, it might be a good idea to get 2 rotisserie chickens. They are $4.98 at Sam's. 4 breast quarters or thigh quarters are only $3.98.

Week 1 Dinner Menus

Here is a week's worth of recipes and ideas. I endeavored to include a variety of protein sources, ethnic flavors, styles and difficulties. I want to include one soup per week, and a homemade bread and dessert. Let me know if you have any thoughts about how to improve the format or variety. I encourage you to add to the recipes, change days, use them as you wish, and leave comments- what you did or didn't like, or even recipes that you prefer. If nothing else, I hope this sparks ideas. 

When it is cold outside, nothing, and I mean NOTHING is more satisfying than a hot soup.  I Watch the weather report- snowy and icy days call for warm comfort foods.  Feel free to switch the days as needed.

• Day 1- Vegetable beef soup with barley- brown 1 lb of hamburger with chopped onion, celery(if desired) garlic, salt and pepper. (This can be a package of ground beef that was precooked and frozen). Add potatoes-skin on is fine, carrots, and any of the following: corn, green beans, peas, kidney beans (I prefer fresh or frozen, but canned works as well) Add 1/2 C barley (rice works as well) about 4 C beef broth (can use bullion) 1 pkg onion soup mix, seasonings (I like bay leaf, thyme, seasoned salt (or Natures seasoning) pepper and parsley) Add water as needed. For more beef flavor, you can add bullion cubes or use the stock from a soup bone. Cook in crockpot until vegetables are tender.  

If you have extra time, this would be good with Rachel's quick biscuits. (recipe at bottom)

Since eggs are plentiful in this family, and inexpensive during the off-season, and our family loves brunch... so make eggs for supper on occasion! 

• Day 2- Southwestern Omelets -diced potatoes fried in large skillet with oil, onion, salt and pepper on high. Add diced ham or browned sausage or crumbled bacon. turn to medium low heat. Wisk 6-8 eggs with 1/4 C milk, and pour into skillet. Add diced tomatoes, spinach, diced green onion, diced avocado, and 1 C shredded Monterey jack cheese. Stir together and serve on tortillas with some salsa and sour cream.

again, if your meat is precooked, this meal goes together very quickly. 

Once a week, a pasta meal will stretch the budget...it is filling and goes a long way. 

• Day 3- Chicken Tetrazzini- (freezable)16 oz linguini, cooked, ½ cup butter softened, 4 chicken breasts, cooked, diced, (If money is tight, use less chicken, or use less expensive deboned chicken)  2 cans cream of chicken soup, 2 cups sour cream, salt and pepper,, ½ cup chicken broth, 2 TB parmesan cheese, 2 cup shredded mozzarella

Instructions- Cook noodles according to box instructions. Set aside.. In a medium bowl, combine ½ cup butter, cooked chicken, soup, sour cream, salt, pepper and chicken broth. Mix well and then add in cooked noodles. Spray a 9x13 pan and pour in noodle mixture. Sprinkle cheeses on top. Bake uncovered at 350 for 40-45 minutes. 

Here's a crockpot recipe that makes dinner easy. Put this together in the morning, and it is ready and hot when it's time for dinner.

• Day 4-Haystacks- (meat is freezable) Make crockpot chili in the morning before you get too busy- browned hamburger with onions, garlic, (easy to do with precooked frozen hamburger) Add 2 cans crushed tomatoes, 3 cans chili beans, 1 can beef broth, 1 C water, 2 T chili powder, 1 T Worcestershire sauce, 1t basil, 1 t cumin 1 T. steak sauce, 1 t garlic powder, salt and pepper...you can add any leftover salsa or picante to this recipe. Just put this in crockpot on low, stirring occasionally until time to eat. Just put this over corn chips (or rice if you have time to make it) Cover with shredded cheddar cheese...can add sour cream, green onions, tomatoes, guac... if desired

This is a personal preference, but since fish is so healthy, I try to add a fish recipe once a week. 

• Day 5- BBQ salmon- This is a grill recipe, but you can use your skillet if you're out of propane! haha Salt and pepper both sides of salmon. Brush grill or skillet with oil. Heat to medium high. grill 4 minutes on each side. Then brush generously with BBQ mixture then grill 2-4 min. on each side, continue applying BBQ mixture turning occasionally or until flaky.  BBQ mixture- 1/2 C bbq sauce, 2 T brown sugar, chopped green onion, 1 T. liquid smoke

This skillet is so versitile...think Silver Dollar City. Change it up using potatoes and veggies with chicken and smoked sausage in oil, and leave out the Asian flair (teriyaki and cabbage). I've added Silver Dollar City copy-cat recipes at the end... Just use your big skillet, and fry- 

• Day 6- Smoked sausage asian skillet-  Cut up a 1 pound smoked sausage, (or browned pork sausage, or ground pork) potatoes, carrots, onions, broccoli, green beans, into bite sized pieces. 2 T oil in a deep skillet. Add carrots and onions, salt and pepper, fry until firm/tender. Add other chopped veggies, shredded cabbage (optional) broccoli, green beans, corn or any other stir fry veggies.  Stir until hot and cooked through. Add 1/4 C teriyaki sauce to taste, stir until coated well. Serve over rice or fettuccini noodles. 

Silver Dollar City Potato Skillet- option 1

·    2 T bacon drippings  1 onion chopped, ¼ C. Green bell pepper finely chopped, 2 lb russet potatoes scrubbed and sliced, 1 large sweet potatoes peeled and sliced ,   2 T. water, 1 tsp seasoned salt (can use Cajun seasoning) 1 lb smoked sausage, sliced  Adjust amounts as needed to feed your family. By the way, potatoes are cheap! This is an economical meal. Great use for leftovers- can use other meat if desired.

      Silver Dollar City Potato Skillet- option 2

bb 2cups skin-on red potatoes, thinly sliced, 2cups whole baby carrots, fresh or frozen, 2 cups whole green beans, frozen, 1 sliced onion, 1 thickly sliced zucchini, 1 thickly sliced squash, 2 cups (1 pound) cooked, diced ham or cooked smoked sausage, thinly sliced, teaspoon Kosher salt, lard or your favorite cooking oil, Paprika, garlic, and pepper to taste

      This is a great recipe when having company. It is delicious every time. choose a side or 2, and it's a perfect company dinner.

• Day 7- Pan Fried Chicken- Mix a bag of crushed pork rinds (this is the only use I've ever found for these that is acceptable! haha) with 1 C parmesan cheese, 2 pkgs. Ranch dressing mix on a large plate. Pound out boneless skinless chicken (breasts or thighs) to flatten. lightly salt and pepper both sides.  Dip in melted butter and press in the pork rind mixture. Place in 9x13 pan (or larger if making more than 4 pieces). Any extra mixture, pat on the top of the chicken. Bake uncovered at 350 for 45 minutes.  This recipe is a little unusual, but you are in for a treat! It makes the best, juiciest chicken you've ever eaten. 

Here are 3 features I thought you'd enjoy: 

Bread of the week: 

Farm Meal Biscuits:   Rachel Chaney Busenitz                                     

·      2 cups self rising flour

·         1/4 cold butter

·         3/4 cup cold milk or buttermilk ( I usually just add it until it forms a dough. It ends up about 1 cup )

·         2 T. melted butter

Cut butter into flour until crumbly textured using a pastry cutter. Add milk a little at a time until it forms a dough. Turn onto floured surface and pat to about 1 inch thick. Cut out biscuits and place in a greased pie plate with sides touching (or any glass pan with sides. Metal tends to make it crunchy) Bake at 425 until just beginning to brown on top. Brush with melted butter and enjoy.

Dessert of the week:  

Kaiti's German Chocolate caramel delight cake!!!  Kaiti Chaney

Make 1 german chocolate cake in 9x13 pan as directed. poke holes, pour 1 can sweetened condensed milk over the top. Pour a jar of caramel topping over the whole cake. Top with whipped cream and crushed Heath candy bar. Cover and refrigerate. Serve cold

Time saving tip of the week: You guessed it! Get out the crock pot and put 10 pounds of hamburger with seasoned salt, salt, pepper and a diced onion. Cook for several hours, crumbling and stirring occasionally. Once cooked, drain the meat and bag into 1 pound ziploc bags, or for a more economical alternative, find some old tupperware storage containers on marketplace or a garage sale that are reusable and freeze meat in those. This is one of the best cooking tips I ever learned as a young mom with kids. It saved my life more than once!!! 

using ground beef!!!

 Today one of my daughters asked for ideas using ground beef. Recently, our family shared in the butchering of 2 very large steers, raised by our son-in-law and daughter. Hence, the need for ground beef dinners. I thought this might be helpful for mom's trying to find a variety of ideas using hamburger! Here was the list provided:

Soups:

• cheeseburger soup
• vegetable beef soup
• chili

Italian:

• spaghetti
• lasagna
• pizza

Mexican

• tacos
• burritos
• chimichangas
• nachos
• mexican rice with beans
• enchiladas
• taco salad

American

• hamburgers (cheeseburgers, bacon cheeseburgers, guacamole burgers...)
• hobo dinners
• beef noodles
• crockpot hash
• shepherds pie
• bbq meatballs
• meatloaf
• calzones
• ground beef Wellington
• pot pie
• tater tot casserole
• sloppy joes

Other Ethnic dishes

goulash

Broccoli and beef stir fry

beef stroganoff

Hungarian meatballs

This list is not all-inclusive, but it should be good for a variety of dinners.

Time saving tip:

Ground beef-  Brown 10 pounds or more of ground beef, seasoned, with onions (if desired) and freeze them in serving sized bags for a quick supper prep time.