Home Ec 101 Weekly Menu and Shopping List #6

Ready? Here we go. Six meals are included in the plan leaving one night for what I refer to as CORN or Clean Out the Refrigerator Night.

You're giddy, don't worry it happens to the best of us. Leftovers from the first night in this week's plan are given an overhaul and served on night three. This week’s plan also includes one meatless option. Rotating a meatless or vegetarian meal into your menu plan is a fairly painless way to shrink the grocery budget.

1. Beef shoulder roast, pan roasted vegetables, baked potatoes
Never baked a potato? It's simple, just scrub, rub with a little olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and prick with a fork. Place on a baking sheet or oven proof dish and bake for at least 1 hour at 400, they'll need just a little longer at 350. When the roast is done crank the oven up and put in the vegetables, by the time the roast is cut and ready to serve they'll be done.

2. Eggplant parmigiana over spaghetti with marinara, Caesar Salad
I totally cheat and use bagged Caesar, if you feel industrious feel free to buy and shred your own Romaine lettuce. If you are in a huge hurry, use a jarred sauce. I won't tell.

3. Beef and cheddar melts on hoagie rolls, steamed broccoli (or serve raw with ranch for dipping)

Beef and Cheddar Hoagie

If you have time, you can make your own rolls, otherwise just grab a pack from the bakery section. Cut hoagie rolls in half and toast under the broiler. Add thin slices of the leftover beef shoulder to each half of the hoagie roll, cover with cheese and place back under the broiler until melty, gooey, and delicious. Serve.

4. Chicken bog, cornbread, collards

Chicken bog is nothing more than a simple jambalaya type dish, don't be intimidated and don't forget to pass the hot sauce.

5. Taco Night, refried beans, fried green corn
Brown the meat, season with taco seasoning, and load up the shells with your family's favorites.

6. It's brinner time! That's breakfast for dinner, this week, let's try French Toast, fresh fruit, and yogurt

If you don't have apple cider, just use milk, eggs, and cinnamon. If you can make grilled cheese, you've got French toast in the bag. Just dip the bread in your egg / milk mixture until well coated but not falling apart and then fry until golden brown.

The shopping list does not include basic pantry items such as flour and sugar, but does include all the spices, as most people keep spices based on their regional and ethnic traditions. Don’t be scared to substitute and remember many of the dry goods and cheeses will not have to be purchased every week. Simply cross off the items you have on hand and purchase amounts apprporiate to the size and appetite of your family. The linked recipes feed families of 4 – 6 with small amounts of leftovers.

If you are fairly new to cooking, your grocery bill will drop significantly once your pantry is stocked with the basic spices and dry goods.

Dairy Case and Products
Butter
Cheddar (potato topping & taco topping)
Eggs
Milk
Yogurt
Sour cream (optional for your baked potatoes and tacos)

Dry Goods:

Bread
Bread crumbs
2 (28oz) cans crushed tomatoes
2 (14.5oz) cans diced tomatoes
Hoagie rolls
Parmesan Cheese
Refried beans
Rice
Spaghetti noodles
Taco shells or flour tortillas

Freezer:
Broccoli
Corn

Meat:
Beef Shoulder Roast
3-5 lbs chicken bone in chicken parts (or one whole chicken cut up)
2lbs sausage (smoked beef, kielbasa or even smoked turkey)
Ground Beef or Turkey

Miscellaneous:
Red wine, any drinkable variety will do. If you avoid alcohol for religious or other purposes, substitute beef stock.

Produce:
Baking potatoes
Collards
Eggplant
Garlic
Onion
Parsley (optional)
Vegetables for roasting, your choice (ex turnips, parsnips, carrots, celery, sweet potato, cauliflower)
Taco toppings (lettuce, tomato, avocado it's up to you)

Spices and condiments:

Bay leaves
Italian seasoning
Garlic Powder
Lawry's Seasoned Salt
Red Pepper (optional)
Taco Seasoning
Worcestershire

Heather can also be found sharing more domestic time saving tips, tricks and recipes at <a href="http://www.home-ec101.com">Home Ec 101</a>