Menu Planning with the MARTIN’S Ad

Menu planning and saving money really can go hand-in-hand.  It is important to realize that you can still enjoy some of your family’s favorite meals by menu planning with a sales flyer, you just need to be flexible. 

I am including ideas and recipes for four meals for the week.  As I’ve mentioned before, I have found that I really only cook on average four meals a week and that we end up having at least one left-over night, one meal out, and something easy like homemade pizza. 

Engagement Roast Chicken:

I happened to turn on Food Network the other day when I sat down to feed Michael and saw Ina Garten (the Barefoot Contessa) make this recipe.  I had been thinking I wanted to try to do something a little different with the whole chicken in the back of my freezer and I think this is what I am going to try next week.  If you don’t have a whole chicken in your freezer you can get a GIANT Brand Homestyle Roaster for $0.99/lb (They are fresh so you don’t have to wait a few days for it to defrost like me.)  The lemons are also on sale this week for $0.50 each and sweet onions are $1.69/lb.  (Spanish Onions are large sweet onions with a yellow skin.)  I enjoy mashed potatoes with roasted chicken and the GIANT Brand Red or Yukon Gold are on sale this week for $3.49 for a 5lb bag.  You can have a salad for your something green with the Dole Salad Kits that are $2 this week.

Grilled London Broil:

Since the weather is warming up now we have been using our grill again.  I found this recipe for a marinade that sounds great for the Top Round London Broil on sale this week for $2.99/lb.  Be careful when you cook the London Broil, it gets tougher the longer it is cooked.  Don’t forget that meat continues to cook for a few minutes after it has been removed from the heat.  You could serve this on it’s own, as sandwiches, or give it a Mexican twist.  The choice is yours. 

Grilled Shrimp:

I wanted to add another grilling recipe to go with the warmer weather.  I found this recipe that can be made with fresh or frozen shrimp.  You can get a 2-lb bag of shrimp for $11.98 this week.  You can serve them with a Dole Salad kit that is $2 this week and either a baked potato or rice. 

Baked Pasta:

This recipe is one that I have made for a few years now.  I actually made it before both Megan and Michael were born to keep it in the freezer for those first few weeks of sleepless nights, endless feedings, and pure exhaustion.  I keep most of the ingredients on hand in my pantry and refrigerator.  If you don’t have provolone (I usually don’t) the Boar’s Head is on sale this week at the deli for $6.99/lb.  The GIANT Brand shredded mozzarella cheese is $1.67.  The Barilla Pasta is on sale for $1, and you can even pick up the Newman’s Own Pasta Sauce for $0.67 when you use the $0.50/1 coupon from the 3/20 RedPlum insert.  I usually have a salad – the $2 Dole Salad Kit would be great and crusty bread.  My favorite bread is the Ecce Panis Simple Neo Tuscan Boule also on sale this week for $2.50. 

Happy Menu Planning!

~Ann