Planning a week’s worth of dinner can be intimidating.  No worries, I have taken care of all the dirty work. Right down to the shopping list. Six meals are included in the plan leaving one night for what I refer to as CORN or Clean Out the Refrigerator Night. These meals do not have to be prepared in any particular order, simply arrange them as best fits your schedule.

The shopping list does not include basic pantry items such as flour and sugar, but does include all the spices as most families 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 cut and paste the list into a notepad file, and cross off the items you have on hand. If you are fairly new to cooking, your grocery bill will drop once your pantry is stocked with the basic spices and dry goods.

The linked recipes are all standards from my site Home Ec 101 and feed 4 – 6 people with some leftovers that can be used for lunch. My husband usually swipes most of them to take to work.

Ready?

Pulled pork

1. Pulled pork, rice, green beans
If you won’t be home, this recipe is excellent for the crockpot. The fat pockets ensure the meat won’t dry out with an extra long cooktime.

2. Chicken picante, tossed salad

3. Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, peas with almonds
I won’t tell if you make instant potatoes, but to mash potatoes, peel, cut into 1″ pieces,  and place potatoes in a pot. Fill with cold water about an inch over the potatoes. Boil until you can easily poke the spuds with a knife. The length of time depends on how many are boiling. Drain. Mash with a potato masher, pastry knife, or forks and then add butter, milk, salt and pepper to taste, stir until fluffy.

Spanish rice

4. Black bean burritos and Spanish rice

5. Pan fried fish, rice with tomato gravy, peas with almonds.
To pan fry almost any thin fillet of firm white fish, heat 1/8th of an inch of olive or vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Crush a sleeve of Ritz type crackers. Press each of the fillets in the cracker crumbs, ensuring there is a light coating on each side. Place in the pan and cook for 2 – 3 minutes per side, drain on a paper towel before serving.

6. Sloppy joes,  broccoli with cheese sauce, carrot raisin salad

7. C.O.R.N.

The shopping list is after the jump.

Dairy Case and Products
Butter
Cheddar cheese
Eggs
Half and half
Milk
Parmesan cheese
Yogurt (plain)

Dry Goods
Almonds
Banana pepper rings (near the pickles)
Black beans (canned or dried, your choice)
Breadcrumbs
Canned diced tomatoes (14.5 oz)
Canned whole or stewed tomatoes (14.5 oz)
(2) 8 oz cans tomato sauce
Tomato paste
Chicken bouillon
Crackers of the Ritz variety
Fettucini noodles
Hamburger buns
Raisins
Rice
Sweet cherry peppers (near the pickles)
Tortillas

Frozen
Broccoli
Green Beans
Peas
White fish such as cod, whiting, or walleye

Meat
Boneless skinless chicken breasts
Boston butt (or other pork roast suitable for long slow cooking, ask the butcher if you are unsure)
2.5lbs Ground beef

Produce
Bell pepper
Carrots
Cilantro
Garlic
Green onions
Lime
Potaotoes (optional for mashed potatoes – I like Yukon gold)
Onion
Salad fixings (whatever floats your boat)
Tomato

Spices and Condiments
BBQ Sauce – your favorite
Cajun seasoning
Chili powder
Coriander (ground)
Crushed red pepper (optional)
Cumin (ground)
Dried onion
Dry mustard
Garlic powder
Hot sauce (optional)
Ketchup
Montreal steak seasoning
Paprika
Peppercorns
Poultry seasoning
Salsa
Worcestershire sauce