Back on track with a menu plan this week! And I’ve got to say-I absolutely HAVE to be organized when it comes to meals this week. I have play rehearsal every night for the next two weeks-which requires me to be out the door by 5:45 most nights. Without a plan I think the family would be living on PB&J sandwiches!
I will be relying heavily on crockpot meals and things that can be cooked ahead and then simply warmed up by my husband this week. Another challenge for this week is that I am valiantly attempting to use up some of the random items I have languishing in my freezer.
Monday: Teriyaki Venison Steak with rice & steamed vegetables
Yeah, I know. I was supposed to serve this last week. Well for a variety of reasons it just never happened. But I have it merrily bubbling away in the crockpot right now, so I should have a tasty dinner ready to go tonight.
Tuesday: Homemade Chicken Soup
I made stock last week from the leftover chicken bones. I set it in the fridge and then promptly forgot about it. My initial plan had been to freeze it in 2 C packages, but now I’m at the point where I really need to just use it up. I’ll make a quick crockpot vegetable soup and serve it with homemade biscuits.
Wednesday: Crockpot Pizza Beans, Green Salad & Bread
This is my meatless meal for the week. This is a new recipe for me-I am hoping that Buddy (who is not fond of beans) might enjoy these pizza style Great Northern Beans. If not-well, he can always eat a PB&J (I am NOT a short order cook-one meal gets made)
Actually, there will be a babysitter this night (conflicting meetings & play rehearsals!!). This should be easy for her to dish out and feed the kiddos.
Thursday: Tuna Loaf, Creamed Spinach, Carrots and Rice
This is my fish meal for the week-it is just my “Old Fashioned Salmon Loaf” made with Tuna. I had originally considered making Tuna Patties, which are delicious, but realized that having to bolt out the door in a time crunch for play rehearsal and planning a meal that requires standing over the stove frying patties was a bad combo. We’ll have to do those in a couple of weeks! Tuna loaf is a little easier in that it bakes away without supervision.
The creamed spinach is just to make things a little fancier. Oh la la!
Friday: Calzones
With my Pizza Hut Crust Clone recipe of course.
Saturday: Meatloaf, Mashed potatoes and Green Beans
Part of my goal in cleaning out the freezer is to use up some of the meat that has been there for a while. I have ground beef that is several months old-a bit family pack. I also have sausage patties from last year’s deer (08) that were way to spicy for the kids. If I mix the 5lbs of beef with 2 lbs of this year’s venison burger and then about 2 lbs of the spicy sausage I should wind up with a very nicely flavored meatloaf mix. I can stretch it even farther with the addition of TVP reconstituted with beef broth.
Yes-that will be a mammoth portion of “meat mix”. . . I will make a couple of meatloaves and then freeze some, make some burgers to freeze for the grill and then make, bake & freeze meatballs for future easy meals.
Sunday: Leftovers
We will enjoy a buffet of all the various meals from the week. If we eat everything up, then I’ll toss together some spaghetti & meatballs last minute.
For more great menu plans head on over to The Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday. Even if it is Tuesday.
Jenn,
What is in the pizza beans? I have never heard of it, ;et me kow if it goes well with Buddy, it may work for my picky bean eating child!
Thanks,
Heather
This menu plan is fortuitous for me. I bought two cans of salmon recently and was planning to search your web site for the salmon loaf recipe soon. Thanks for the link.
Like Heather, I’ll be interested to know how the pizza beans recipe goes over.
Best wishes for your busy week!
Amyrlin-I haven’t tried the beans yet-it’s from one of my crockpot cookbooks. . . I don’t want to post it till I’ve tried it out to make sure it’s decent 🙂
Lora-ah-ha! My psychic powers seem to be working overtime today 🙂