Cooking from the Pantry: The Challenge

While it's nice and warm (or Hot, Hot, Hot!!) in the valley, it's an overcast, dreary 60 degrees in Santa Barbara. Yes, I'm complaining. I miss the warm sun.

So instead of thinking salads and watermelon, I'm thinking soups and chili. Even after 5 years of living here I still can't get used to the cold summers.

Anyway, another bummer about summer is that funds are low. But I'm going to look at these meager times as a challenge: to spend even less on meals and be more frugal.

This week is pretty much over, but I've decided that for the next week, I'm going to cook from the pantry (food storage) and the freezer. With the exception of some perishable items, e.g. milk, eggs, salad and such, I'm only going to use what we already have stored. Ooooh, this should should be fun!

I've compiled this list of meals I want to try-all with pantry items (with the exception of 2 or 3 canned goods I'll need to purchase):

Giada's Lentil Soup

Crockpot Red Beans and Rice

Chicken Enchiladas (modified version of this recipe. And using canned chicken)

Crock Pot Chili and skillet cornbread

Chicken, Broccoli and Rice Casserole (modified version of this recipe. Also using canned chicken)

I'm pretty sure my 4 and 6 year old will starve next week. Or survive on cereal, since I'm sure they will hate everything on this list. We'll see how it goes.

Week Who Knows, But Here It Goes...

It is HOT HOT HOT here! Hot weather makes me want either anything grilled or anything meat free and light. Oh, and EASY.

Monday: pizza and salad ordered out

Tuesday: maple baked beans with cheddar cheese, quattro leoni salad (this time with Granny Smith apples in it), and spinach dip (snack for the evening) with oranges and berries for dessert

Wednesday: eggplant parmesan lasagna with quattro leoni salad (yes, we have that A LOT around here, it's been a staple for us for 3 1/2 years now); grapes to snack on

Thursday: I have a meeting with a Primary leader in the middle of dinner, so something crazy fast and easy, I'm thinking Sloppy Joes or cheesy hamburger pasta (easiest thing EVER). Maybe a banana split for dessert (that counts as getting our fruit in, right??)

Friday: Oh, I'm guessing it may be an In-and-Out night :) Can't beat the price and the quick service for some pretty tasty food

Saturday: mexican caesar salad and shrimp ceviche tacos. I also may try my hand at some home made shaved ice with pureed fruit as the "syrup"...we'll see how (un)motivated I get as the day goes on!

Sunday: July 4th! Family BBQ at the in-laws....yummmm

Week #17 Small Mommy's Meal Plan

Summers are very meager times for us and I feel like it's kind of ridiculous to even plan a menu anymore. But here is what I've got on hand this week.

Chicken: Tenders, barbecued (on the Foreman grill), stir fry

Ground beef: Tacos, nachos

Sides: Pasta (lots of pasta!!!)-spaghetti, garlic/butter, Rice (pilaf, white, fried), Potatoes-fried, mashed, herbed, scalloped

Canned veggies or frozen-brussel sprouts, okra, corn, green beans

Cheese and eggs-Quesadillas, sandwiches, omelettes

And lots of Star Wars pancakes! ;0)

Week#15 Small Mommy's Meal Plan

Wow, the days just get away from me! I figure that it's still good to post my weekly menus even if they are late, just to stay in the groove of it. So here goes.

Monday: Memorial Day-Steak, corn on the cob, macaroni salad, key lime pie

Tuesday: Chicken tenders, macaroni and cheese, oranges, smores

Wednesday: Probably pizza since Josh has a school play at 6pm

Thursday: Hamburgers. Ground beef is on sale $1/lb. With chips and salsa and fruit.

Friday: That last day of school!!! Maybe we'll celebrate with some Costco food.

I'm going to have to incorporate some salad into the menu next week!