On Friday I was asked to post my two week menu. I grocery shop twice a month, when Dadzoo get paid. I find that if I create a menu then a grocery list I limit the amount of between trips I make and we also save money.
I also find that knowing days ahead what I going to be for dinner makes life easier, especially when cooking from scratch. I was told once when I was a new mother and new wife that I should know what I am having for dinner by 10am that day. I remember thinking “10 am!”. However her advice was very wise and I have taken it a step further by knowing sometimes two weeks ahead. This works really well for me, I know if I need to put beans to soak the night before, or get a chicken out of the freezer, I don’t find myself wondering what to do at 5:00, it is all done and planned out.
Another thing, my menus are very simple. I like good old fashioned cooking, the kind of cooking my great-great grandmother would do. I also try to avoid processed foods in most forms. I have a few hold out recipes from before our big food change, but mostly it is pretty simple.
Ok here goes.
Monday January 18th Vegetable Soup with Rolls
Wednesday January 20th Bean Taco Bake, Corn, Butternut Squash and Sweet Corn Bread
Thursday January 21st Chicken Noodle Soup with Rolls or Bread
Friday January 22nd Dinner with Friends, kids get leftovers
Saturday January 23rd Homemade Pizza
Sunday January 24th Tom and Kallie’s Birthday party, Salsa Chicken….(not all the way planned)
Monday January 25th Enchiladas (one of the old hold outs, I use canned sauce, anyone have a good recipe for red enchilada sauce) Peas, Broccoli and Corn Bread
Tuesday January 26th 3 Bean Soup with left over Corn Bread
Wednesday January 27th Spaghetti, Corn and French Bread
Thursday January 28th Sweet and Sour Chicken (another hold out, but it is my daughters birthday and her favorite dinner) Corn and Rolls
Friday January 29th Date Night….Tomato soup for the kids with my Dad’s homemade Cheese and crackers or bread
Saturday January 30th Grandma’s House
Sunday January 31th Roast, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Onions, Corn or Peas, Fried Cabbage, Rolls.
So there you go. It isn’t fancy or Martha Steward worthy, but it is good, simple and feeds my family well.
I do my menus one week at a time. By the way we have your corn bread at least once or twice a week all winter. The whole family LOVES it.
I have a good enchilada sauce…easy & quick too! I'll email it to you!
Thank you for sharing your menus, I've been trying to do better at this myself and watching others succeed helps.
Looks really good! I am trying to get back to menu planning. I used to do it for two weeks or even a month in advance but fell out of the habit last year. It does make life so much easier.
I make my own enchilada sauce. If you are still looking for something let me know.
Thank you for the menus!
The make homemade enchilada sauce. The stuff in the can is always tooo spicy and the kids won't eat it.
I use Emerils. It's easy and good! It's Emerils what did you expect! 😀 Just to let you know in the recipe I didn't use 1/4 cup of chili powder….
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/easy-enchilada-sauce-recipe/index.html
Hugs!
Looks so yummy!! I so very much need to start my menu planning again. I'm don't cause as soon as I do and get it in our routine it'll be time to move into the house probably…lol
Fine Linen
That bean taco bake I have never seen before. YUM! For a month at a time I plan the same 7 meals and don't do much variety. I struggle with meals in the warmer months so post your summer menu sometime too!
It looks excellent! I haven't been planning too well lately . . . I should get back with the program!
We plan a two week menu, then have our teenagers choose a day they want to cook. Any days left open are assigned. They usually have a helper on their day, but I'm moving them to be more independent cooks by assigning them to do their meal (start to finish, including clean up) all by themselves. We'll see how that goes!
Your menu looks great! Thanks for sharing!
I like this… I now know what I am going to get to eat every night. 🙂 Tonights is one of my favorites.
Thanks for your menu and your recipes always! Question, on your Bean Taco Bake- can I use canned beans? I just inherited ALOT of canned beans from my MIL. And that would be a great way to use them up.
Thanks!!
You are so awesome. Thank you for the ideas. I get tired of the same old stuff. Keep posting. Great Job!
Shannon, yes, canned beans will work. This is a great recipe to help introduce bean eating to your family.