It’s spring break for my kiddos (I know, we are so much later than everyone else) so it’s an interesting week here at the Frugal Village Homestead. Luckily the weather has perked up a bit–mid 50’s to 60’s many days which is quite pleasant with the occasional 70’s thrown in to remind you that it will be summer eventually. That means we are getting outside more to get things done, and I’m starting to think about my gardens!
These are the considerations for this week:
1. It’s spring break as I said–so the kids are around all day. This means that sometimes I can get them involved in making dinner, but also sometimes we get involved in doing things together and sort of forget to start making dinner. I should plan a few “quick” meals that I can swap around if there are days where I’m not paying attention.
2. We’ve started to see some of the very, very early spring items popping up in the yard, garden and planters. This is the perfect time of year to forage dandelions (before they get too bitter). Chives, lovage, sage, sorrel and rhubarb are already growing in the garden, so we can incorporate a few of those into dishes (although really the rhubarb probably needs another week or two).
3. I pulled out salmon, ground beef, pork chops, ground chicken and venison stew meat from the freezer to use this week. I’ve got some frozen french fries downstairs, as well as a couple bags of frozen vegetables and plenty of canned or dehydrated veggies.
4. We’ll probably eat at my moms one day this weekend. Buddy and I will try to get to Karate a couple times this week (it’s been a month) Yankee Bill plays pool one night. That’s really it since all the typical after school activities don’t occur during break.
5. The middle of the week is supposed to be cooler and rainy. Boo! But there is some nice-ish weather on either end that is suitable for grilling.
Taking all that into account here is my game plan:
Monday: Grilled Onion Swiss Burgers with Salad and French Fries
I’m making my own burger patties from the remains of the ground beef in our freezer (from our 1/4 cow like 2 years ago) and cook them up on the grill. I’ll cook up some onions with butter and beef bullion in a foil packet on the grill as well to top them with. Then just assemble on a bun–burger, onion, swiss cheese. Yum! The french fries will either be done in the oven if I’m in a rush or thrown in the Fry Daddy if I’m in the mood. Salad on the side so I can feel like I’ve had vegetables.
This is my beef meal for the week.
Tuesday: Cream of Chicken Soup, Biscuits and Peaches
I’ll brown up the ground chicken, then make a very thin white sauce with chicken bullion added. Combine and viola–cream of chicken soup! I’ll probably add some fresh lovage and sage for flavor as well–just because they are growing in my gardens! Drop biscuits are quick and easy to make (and awesome with soup). There really isn’t a great vegetable to go with this, but I’ll give everyone some home canned peaches on the side for some vitamins, minerals and fiber 🙂
This is my soup meal for the week.
Wednesday: Crock Pot Pork Chops, Rice and Green Beans
This is your basic “cover it with cream of mushroom soup” recipe. Toss it in the crockpot with some bullion granules, onion, etc, cook all day. Make a pot of rice in the rice cooker, warm up some beans, dinner is done.
This is my pork meal for the week.
Thursday: Homemade Cheese Pizza
Made using my Pizza Hut Crust Clone recipe of course. Since it’s basically just cheese pizza, I consider this meat free.
This is my meatless meal for the week.
Friday: Homemade Sushi & Tempura
Princess LOVES sushi, so I’ve been wanting to teach her how to make her own. Break is a good time for that since we are a lot less rushed than usual. We’ll stick to the vegetarian and/or cooked seafood type. I love tempura (which is basically batter fried vegetables) add some additional rice and everyone is happy.
Saturday: Chili with Sweet Northern Cornbread
The venison stew meat will be browned and hit the slow cooker with all chili fixings. I’ll make a pan of Sweet Northern Cornbread on the side (and maybe some rice too–I think having rice with your chili is a northern thing)
This is my venison meal and bean for the week.
Sunday: Teriyaki Salmon Packets with Carrots and Potatoes
The frozen salmon pieces are wrapped in foil with some teriyaki and cooked in the oven or grill. They are yummy! I’ll boil up some potatoes and toss them with butter and fresh chives from the garden and then just warm up a can of carrots.
This is my fish meal for the week.
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Are you interested in learning more about menu planning? Check out my post “Why Plan a Weekly Menu” .
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