Q: What are you going to do with 8 pounds of chicken breast? A: Freezer Cooking.

That is the abridged version of a conversation with a neighbor at a neighborhood gathering last Saturday.

I decided to cook both four pound packages of chicken that I picked up last week on sale for $1.99/lb instead of freezing in one pound portions.  I pulled out both of my slow cookers and put four pounds of raw boneless skinless chicken breast in each one.  I added barbecue sauce to one of them to make a batch of chicken barbecue and I added taco seasoning, Ro-tel tomatoes, and some other ingredients to the other one to make a chicken taco or burrito filling.  They both smelled great while they were cooking!

The taco/burrito filling is in the clear dish and the bowl is what I saved out for us for dinner. The chicken barbecue is in the black dish. I placed the bags in these dishes and then filled them with cold water and ice to safely cool them down before placing them in the freezer.

I had  found some bread on the “stale bread” shelf in MARTIN’s on Tuesday and had about one and one-half loaves left.  I had recently seen this post on Money Saving Mom about making homemade uncrustables for the freezer and making croutons out of the leftover crust.  I already had the Pampered Chef gadget and thought that it would be nice to have some ready made sandwiches for Natalie’s lunch. 

I tried making the sandwiches in the center of the bread, but because I wanted to save the crust for croutons I found it easier to just cut the bread first then press them together.

I wrapped the individual sandwiches in plastic wrap and then placed them all in a gallon sized freezer bag.

Yum! Butter, olive oil, italian seasonings and bread – what could smell better?!? We had a few more croutons before the picture. I had a few “quality control inspectors” passing through the kitchen when these were finished.

I also had several onions that I received in my produce box from Dominion Harvest that I wanted to chop up and freeze.  I ended up chopping up three and a half large onions and placing them in snack size bags so they are recipe-size portions.  I later wrapped the individual bags in foil, then placed them in a large storage bag and a freezer bag to keep the entire freezer from smelling like onions.

I really don’t like to chop onions so hopefully having this many onions ready in recipe-sized portions will make fixing dinner a lot easier.

I didn’t get everything finished that day, I had to go out to a parent’s night at school.  I did finally finish the last item on my agenda when I got a chance to cut up some of the beautiful peppers that I got in my produce box from Dominion Harvest.  I still had half of a large onion so I made portion sized bags of red and green peppers with onions for stir fry or fajitas and I chopped up one bag with assorted peppers and the rest of the onion to use for chili.

Cutting peppers is another chore I don’t like to do and hopefully this will make pulling dinner together easier and faster on busy weeknights.

 

What do you have stored in your freezer?  What are some ingredients that you keep on hand for quick weeknight meals?  Do you have a favorite fix double, triple, or quadruple and freeze the leftovers recipe?  Please feel free to share. 

Happy Cooking & Freezing!

~Ann

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. 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 or breakfast for dinner.

Coupons mentioned in this post that do not state where you can find them are listed in my weekly top deals post. Feel free to check it out for deals on other items that you can pick-up to fill your refrigerator or pantry for less.

Spaghetti & Meatballs:

I know it has been close to 100 degrees outside this week, and next week doesn’t look any better, but spaghetti and meatballs is a year round meal.  (No pun intended)  The Cooked Perfect Meatballs are on sale, and so is the Ragu spaghetti sauce, and GIANT brand pasta.  We like to add a little shredded cheese to the top of our plates, if you like that as well the Sargento shredded cheese is also on sale.  Don’t forget to check out the produce section to grab a bag of Dole salad that is on sale this week and hit the bakery for a fresh loaf of bread.  It is a quick and easy meal to pull together and hopefully won’t heat up your kitchen too much.

Meatball Subs:

This is what Sandra Lee would call a “Round 2 Recipe”.  I always seem to end up with leftover sauce and meatballs when I make spaghetti and meatballs for us. If you grab an extra loaf of baguette and some provolone cheese while you are in the store you can have a leftover night that seems like a new meal.  We like to have chips with sandwiches, but you could grab a bag of the GIANT brand frozen fries that are $3 this week.

Sirloin Steak with Garlic Butter:

If you decided to take advantage of the sirloin steak that is on sale this week and want to try something different check out this recipe .  My mouth was watering when I read it.   It would be great served with a baked potato (the 5lb bag of russet potatoes are on sale for $3.49) and a bag of Dole salad that is also on sale this week.  If you want some different bread try out the Ecce Panis Neo Tuscan Boule.  It is my favorite bread!

BLT Sandwiches:

I feel like a BLT sandwich is synonymous with summer.  How can you go wrong with fresh bread and crisp bacon and lettuce.  (I don’t like tomatoes so I can’t elaborate on them.)  Kunzler Bacon is on sale this week as are the on the vine tomatoes.  I have recently started cooking bacon on my George Foreman Grill to keep the bacon from sitting in the grease.  I still drain them on a paper towel, but it isn’t nearly as greasy as when I cook it in the microwave, on the stove, or in oven.  If you want chips with your sandwich Utz chips are sale this week for $2.50.

Have you tried out any of the recipes I have shared?  What did you think?  What types of meals do you prepare for your family when it is hot outside?  Feel free to share.

Happy Menu Planning!

~Ann

Menu Planning with 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. 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 or breakfast for dinner.

Coupons mentioned in this post that do not state where you can find them are listed in my weekly top deals post. Feel free to check it out for deals on other items that you can pick-up to fill your refrigerator or pantry for less.

Curried Chicken Salad in Lettuce Cups:

I made this chicken salad this past weekend for a reception that I was in charge of at our church.  This recipe was so delicious and really easy to make – even when I made it for 200 people.  I cooked bone-in chicken breast (because they were on sale last week), but you could use the Perdue Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast that are on sale this week.  The sweetness of the raisins and the crunch of the almonds really added to this chicken salad. 

I don’t use a lot of curry – if you don’t either make sure you grab the $1/1 Sauer’s coupon from the 6/19 RedPlum insert.  One tip for finding herbs and spices for less is to look outside of the grocery store.  I needed a lot of curry to make this recipe for 200 people and when I looked in the grocery store it seemed expensive.  I went to an ethnic market and found a 1/4lb container of curry that was less expensive than the small bottle I saw on the spice aisle in the store.

Feel free to substitute the Romaine Hearts that are on sale this week for the Boston Lettuce or just serve this on your favorite cracker or bread.  

Salsa Chicken Burrito Filling:

I made this recipe this week in my crockpot and it was super easy and delicious.  I had about two pounds of boneless skinless chicken breast and made a few slight changes, instead of using the salsa I used a can of Rotel tomatoes that I had in my pantry and even with double the amount of chicken I only used on packet of taco seasoning.  The Chi-Chi’s salsa is only $1.50 after sale and coupon if you want to try that out. 

We enjoyed ours with some of the leftover lettuce I had from the reception and a side of black beans and tortilla chips.  If you want to make burritos or soft tacos don’t forget that you can grab the Chi-Chi’s tortillas for $0.50 after sale and coupon.  I pulled out our normal taco toppings and everyone (even little Michael) liked the filling. 

Honey-Orange Marinated Salmon:

I have made this recipe before and it was really easy and tasted good.  I tried to boil and reduce the remaining marinade and use it as a sauce and instead ended up with a huge mess.  I actually wrote about it in this post.  (By the way the pan did finally get clean with a lot of soaking and scrubbing.)

This is a really easy dish to pull together with the fresh salmon fillet on sale this week for $9.99/lb.  The majority of the marinade ingredients are items that most people keep on hand, and it really does taste great with some easy sides like rice and steamed vegetables.

Barbecue Pork Chops:

I got a bunch of the Budweiser Barbecue Sauce that was part of this awesome deal this past week.  (By the way I made sure to leave plenty on the shelves for others.)  I am now on a mission to find ways to use my supply of sauce.  I saw the bone-in center cut pork chops on sale for $2.49/lb this week and think that grilling up some pork chops and slathering them with barbecue sauce for the last few minutes would be a quick and easy dinner.  This can also be a great meal to keep your kitchen cool in the summer.  You can steam some vegetables either in your microwave or on the stove and add some baking potatoes wrapped in foil to the grill before the chops.

Happy Menu Planning!

~Ann

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 this week.  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 or breakfast for dinner.

Coupons mentioned in this post that do not state where you can find them are listed in my weekly top deals post.  Feel free to check it out for deals on other items that you can pick-up to fill your refrigerator or pantry for less.

I wanted to write a post about grilled chicken with the deals this week on GIANT Brand Chicken Thighs or Drumsticks ($1/lb), Split Chicken Breast ($0.99/lb), and Chicken Leg Quarters ($0.89/lb).

I was searching for grilling recipes and discovered this great video about how to grill great chicken. 

When we grill up chicken I like to prepare extra to use throughout the week.  Here are some ideas to make your grilled chicken into a new meal for the next night.

Grilled Chicken Summer Salad:

I have shared before that we enjoy the summer salads that incorporate fresh fruit and vegetables.  It is just as easy to make this type of salad for an individual or for your family.  After grilling your chicken allow it to cool, remove it from the bone and slice it.  Start your salad with a base of greens, whatever you prefer, then add your sliced chicken.  There are lots of options for fresh fruit on sale this week – strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries.  I sometimes add canned fruit like pineapple or mandarin oranges.  I have seen restaurants offer similar salads with either a poppy seed dressing or some sort of vinaigrette like a balsamic or raspberry.  You can really add whatever you like to the salad if you want some crunch add croutons, sunflower seeds, or toasted nuts.  If you are a cheese lover this type of salad is great with some blue cheese or feta cheese.  It really depends on what is in season and on hand.   You can easily adjust it to work for what your family likes and dislikes. 

Chicken Quesadillas:

This is another meal that you can make for one person or you can make for your whole family.  It is so simple – just slice or shred your chicken after it has been cooked and removed from the bone.  Place a tortilla on a flat surface and sprinkle cheese over it.  (If you don’t have tortillas there is a coupon for the Chi-Chi Tortillas in the 6/12 SmartSource insert.  The Sargento Shredded Cheese is $2 a bag this week.) Once you have covered the tortilla with cheese sprinkle some of the chicken over the cheese, you can add a little salsa also if you like, then add a little bit more cheese.  Top with a second tortilla and heat in a pan or a griddle like you would a grilled cheese sandwich, or microwave for 30-60 seconds or until the cheese is melted.  Serve it with a side of salsa, sour cream, guacamole, or whatever else you want.  You can add a side of rice and refried beans or black beans if you want a complete meal. 

Chicken Salad:

This is a recipe that you can play with to make it work for your family.  Chicken salad can easily be served in a lettuce cup, on a croissant, in a tortilla wrap, or on a hearty bread.  It makes a great lunch or a light dinner.  You can serve it with a side of fruit or chips – either way it will be great. 

Pasta Salad:

I came across this recipe for an Asian pasta salad and I can’t wait to make it myself.  I recently bought a bottle of sesame oil because I have read several recipes that call for it that I want to try.  This one is being added to the list.  I read several of the reviews and they added their own spin on this salad with different vegetables that they had on hand or were plentiful at the time.  The one thing they all seemed to agree on is that the dressing is great.  It looks like it could easily be a complete summer meal, or you could add a side of veggies to make it one.  

Happy Menu Planning!

~Ann

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 this week.  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 or breakfast for dinner.

Coupons mentioned in this post that do not state where you can find them are listed in my weekly top deals post.  Feel free to check it out for deals on other items that you can pick-up to fill your refrigerator or pantry for less. 

Slow-Cooker Barbecue Chicken:

I know that last week I shared with you how I like to make barbecue pork in my slow cooker.  I use the same recipe, but with boneless, skinless chicken breast.  It is so simple I feel guilty when people ask me how I did it.  I just place the raw chicken in the slow-cooker and cover it with barbecue sauce.  Depending on the barbecue sauce I may add some brown sugar, soy sauce, hot sauce, or whatever I am in the mood for.  I cook it on low for 6-8 hours (varies with how many chicken breast I am cooking), then I take it out and chop it. I recently got the Salad Chopper from the Pampered Chef – they make is so easy to shred.  I routinely make extra just to freeze the leftovers.   The leftovers make a great quick weekend meal. 

This can be a great quick meal when you use the GIANT brand hamburger rolls that are $1 this week or the Ballpark Rolls that are $1 after sale and coupon.  You can enjoy a side of fresh corn on the cob, only $0.20 an ear this week, and a bag of chips for an easy summer meal. 

Teriyaki Pork Tenderloin:

I found this recipe on allrecipes.com to use with one of the Hatfield Simply Tender Pork Loin Filet.  I saw that one of the reviewers said that she dumped the whole thing in the slow-cooker and cooked it on low for 6 hours and I was sold.  I think this would be a great meal to serve with just a simple green salad.  (Don’t forget about the Dole Salad Deal.)  I always enjoy fresh bread with this type of meal so stop by the bakery for a loaf of the Ecce Panis Semolina Batard. 

Turkey Burgers:

If you are looking for a healthy alternative to your cook-out this weekend, but still really want a burger this is the recipe for you.  You can still have all of the traditional cookout sides such as the corn on the cob that is on sale this week or a salad (with the Dole Salad deal), and some fresh berries like the blueberries that are $2 each or the strawberries that are $2.50 this week.

Pasta Salad:

If you are looking for a basic recipe to make your own pasta salad this is it.  The Wacky Mac Pasta is only $0.50 a bag this week thanks to sale and coupons.  This can also be a way to use one of your extra bottles of salad dressing from the Dole Salad deal.  Pasta salad can be really refreshing and either a side dish or a full meal in the summer.  You can add some leftover grilled chicken or sausage to it to make it more filling or just add some more fresh vegetables if you want something lighter.  Feel free to change up the vegetables or the cheese to suit your preferences.  The beauty of pasta salad is that it with the pasta and the veggies it can be a complete meal all in one. 

Happy Menu Planning!

~Ann

Menu Planning with the MARTIN’S Ad–It’s Back!

I took about a month off from posting my menu planning with the MARTIN’S Ad post.  I had some changes in my work schedule which meant that things at home got shifted and my available blogging time got shifted (or lost). 

I have still tried to keep up with menu planning with some generic keep on hand items for my family to enjoy for dinner.  I have found that even if I get out of the swing of menu planning for a few weeks, it is like riding a bike, you can just jump back into it. 

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 this week.  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 or breakfast for dinner.

Coupons mentioned in this post that do not state where you can find them are listed in my weekly top deals post.  Feel free to check it out for deals on other items that you can pick-up to fill your refrigerator or pantry for less. 

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 or breakfast for dinner.

Simple Country Ribs:

I love spareribs!  I know some people don’t like them because of the mess, but that doesn’t bother me (most of the time).  I have cooked them in my slow cooker before and they have been so tender.  Steve has grilled them for us before and I like the extra crisp on the outside.  I saw this recipe and thought it was a great combination of both techniques.  I read one review that said instead of boiling her ribs in a stockpot she put them in the slow cooker.  You could wrap a few potatoes (the 5 lb. bag of all purpose potatoes is on sale for $2.99 this week) in some aluminum foil and bake them on the grill and mix up a batch of cole slaw with the Dole Cole Slaw on sale for $1.  If you prefer a regular salad don’t forget about the Dole Salad Kit and Kraft Dressing Deal.

Chicken Kabobs:

I enjoy things like quiche, casserole, and kabobs that I can take a basic recipe and change it up just a little bit to make it my own creation.  I came across this chicken kabob recipe and thought that it would be a great starting point for making your own kabobs.  You can make it your own by choosing what veggies or fruit you want to grill with the chicken.  I also like kabobs because you can have a variety of sides like grilled veggies (don’t forget that the summer squash is on sale for $1.49/lb) and a wide selection of starches.  You could easily serve this on a bed of rice, couscous, quinoa, or whatever you like.  If you want to make this a light meal you can just serve the cooked pieces of chicken on top of a salad with the Dole Salad Kits that are part of the Dole Salad kit and Kraft Dressing Deal.

Baked Spaghetti:

I know there are lots of fancy recipes for baked spaghetti, but sometimes when time or energy don’t allow for it I make my own super simple no brainer baked spaghetti.  I simply cook the pasta and while it is warm I toss the pasta with a jar of sauce (very carefully while wearing an apron).  I then pour the pasta and sauce into a baking dish that I have sprayed with cooking spray and sprinkle cheese over the top.  I put it in the oven at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes or until the sauce and cheese are bubbling.  (If you want to be a little bit more creative you could easily cook some Italian sausage or ground beef to add to the sauce, but that it’s the beauty of a basic recipe you can do lots of things to make it your own creation.)  I always have pasta and pasta sauce on hand in my pantry, but if you don’t the Barilla Pasta is $1.25 a box and you can pick-up a jar Newman’s Own Pasta Sauce for $0.89 when you use the $0.50/1 from 3/20 RedPlum insert.  I would serve this with a salad (from the Dole Salad deal) and the Arnold Italian Bread is 50% off this week.

World’s Easiest Make-Ahead Marinated Chicken

I was looking for a simple marinated chicken recipe on-line and then checked out one of my favorite blogs Money Saving Mom and saw this.  I thought it was ideal for me to post it especially with all of the extra salad dressing we will be picking up thanks to the Dole Salad Deal.  I have prepared and frozen chicken this way several times and it is very easy.  The reason why I am sharing this super easy recipe is because I love how Crystal shared several different methods for preparing this dish.  I would use the Perdue Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast that are on sale this week for 50% off ($2.44/lb in Richmond) instead of the already frozen chicken breast.  I like her suggestion of serving it with rice and steamed vegetables.  The GIANT brand Steam Ready Vegetables are $1.25 a bag this week.

Happy Meal Planning!

~Ann

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 or breakfast for dinner.

Slow Cooker Barbecue:

I like to pick up a Fresh Whole Shoulder Pork Roast when they are on sale ($0.99/lb this week) and just stick it in my slow cooker with a bottle or two of barbeque sauce (as low as $0.50 each when you buy 2 and use the $1/2 coupon from the Kraft Food & Family).  Depending on the barbeque sauce I may add some brown sugar, soy sauce, hot sauce, or whatever I am in the mood for.  I cook it on low for 6-8 hours (varies with size of the roast), then I take it out and chop it.  You can serve it on the GIANT brand rolls that are $1 a pack this week.  Feel free to serve it with a salad check out this post about the Dole Salad deal or with the Rold Gold Pretzels that are $1.50 each when you buy 2 bags and use the $2/2 coupon from the Pepsico insert

Baked Chicken:

I like to bake a few of the split chicken breast when I can find them on sale (they are 50% off this week).  I just simply place them on a baking sheet and rub a little oil over them and sprinkle them with salt and pepper.  They usually bake at 350 for about 40-50 minutes (depending on the size).  You can easily serve it with a salad and whatever starch you have on hand like rice, couscous, or quinoa.  It is a healthy and delicious meal. 

When I find them on sale I like to buy and bake a few extra chicken breasts.  When they are cool enough to touch, pull the meat off the bone and chop it.  Here are some ideas for meals to make with your leftover cooked chicken.

Chicken Salad Sandwiches:

Are you looking for a new twist on your basic chicken salad?  I highly recommend this recipe.  I made it this fall and served it for a ladies luncheon at our church.  This is not a recipe for the calorie conscious – you must use the heavy whipping cream.  It is what makes this recipe go from good to great.  If you don’t want to buy grapes I actually used craisins (they are 10% off this week).  The Arnold Bread and Sandwich Thins that are 50% off would be a great way to serve this hearty salad.  If you want to serve some healthy sides you could have some baby carrots that are $1.67 for a 1-lb. bag and some fresh strawberries that are $2.

Spicy Black Bean & Chicken Enchiladas:

I love this recipe.  It was one of the dishes I made and placed in the freezer before Michael was born.  It is a great way to use leftover chicken (although I have baked chicken just to make this recipe).  I don’t use the American cheese they have listed in the ingredients, I just use shredded cheddar (Kraft shredded is $2 this week).   The Nature’s Promise brand of canned beans are on sale this week for $1 each and you can pick-up a jar of Newman’s Own Salsa for $1 after sale and the $0.50/1 coupon in the 3/20 RedPlum insert.  If you don’t have tortillas you can pick up one of the Old El Paso kits that are on sale for $2 and use just the tortillas – save the rest of the kit for another meal.  You may want to buy enough ingredients to make a second batch for the freezer.  That is what I usually do.  :)

Happy Menu Planning!

~Ann

Menu Planning with the MARTIN’S Ad

I have had a crazy week and I have not had the time to search for new recipes so I am going to share some generic recipes that should work with some of the items on sale and that are always well received by my crew.

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 or breakfast for dinner.

Spaghetti & Meatballs:

I always have pasta in my pantry and spaghetti sauce in my pantry that I can pull out and make a quick dinner.  If you don’t have pasta grab a box of the San Giorgio that is on sale for $1 this week.  The Mama Lucia Meatballs are on sale buy 1 get 1 free this week so get both bags and you have a back up for the next busy night or when you need to take a meal to a friend.  The Dole Salad Kits are $2.50 a bag and if you want a loaf of fresh Italian bread it is on sale or $1.99 in the bakery.

Turkey Tacos:

I have mentioned before that if your family is still hesitant about trying ground turkey “hiding it” in taco seasoning can really disguise what they are eating.  The Ortega kits are $2 each this week and only $1.50 if you buy 2 and use the $0.50/2 coupon from the 4/17 SmartSource insert.  If you just want the seasoning mix it is only $0.17 each with the same coupon.  The ground turkey is on sale for just $3 for a 20.8oz package.  It also freezes well if you want to pick up an extra one for a future meal.  If you didn’t get the shredded cheese last week the GIANT brand is on sale for $1.67 a bag this week. 

Pot Roast in the Slow Cooker:

I shared this recipe about 2 months ago.  The really great thing about using your slow cooker now that it is starting to get warmer outside is that it doesn’t heat up your house like an oven does.  The Chuck Roast is $2.99/lb. and GIANT brand red potatoes are $3.49 for a 5lb. bag and the baby carrots are on sale for $1.67 for a 1-lb. bag.  The beauty of this dish is that you already have your vegetables and potatoes cooked with the meat for a complete meal.  I like to add some color to our plates and would pull a bag of frozen veggies out of the freezer or grab the GIANT brand SteamReady Vegetables.

BLT Night:

I love BLT’s – they are great and you can try creative ways of making it your own.  THe Kunzler bacon is on sale this week for $3.99 pair that with the tomatoes that are $1.99/lb and you have the start to a BLT.  I personally don’t like tomatoes so I add different items like sliced cheese, or crumbled blue cheese.  I think the key is soft fresh bread (select Arnold brand varieties are 50% off this week), crisp bacon, a little bit of mayo (or Miracle Whip if you prefer) and the crunch of crisp lettuce.  I am wiping the drool off my keyboard right now.  :)

 

Happy Menu Planning!

~Ann

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 or breakfast for dinner.

I wanted to look at recipes this week that featured ham.  If you aren’t preparing a ham for your Easter meal it is still a good time to pick-up one.  This week’s price for ham is a good stock-up price. (I haven’t tried it, but I have read they will keep well in your freezer for two months.)  We probably won’t see it on sale again until Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

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 or breakfast for dinner.

This week’s recipes are all featuring the Perdue Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast that are on sale this week for 50% off and an even better deal when you combine the $0.75/1 coupon from the 4/10 RedPlum insert. 

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.
I didn’t feel like there were any great deals on meat this week, so I am going to give some ideas for ground turkey (a decent deal at $3 for a 20.6oz package) and then a meatless meal.

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

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. 

Have you tried any of the recipes that I have posted?  Do you have a family favorite that you would like to share

Corned Beef & Cabbage:

Just because St. Patrick’s Day is today doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy the low price of Corned Beef ($1.49/lb.) and cabbage ($0.39/lb.) this week on next week’s menu plan.  This recipe is a slow cooker recipe that looks really easy and has great reviews.  The potatoes are on sale for $2 this week and a 2lb. bag of organic carrots is $2.  This recipe has all of your vegetables cooked with the beef so you just need some crusty bread to finish the meal. 

Tilapia:

If you haven’t tried Tilapia before it is a very mild “non-fishy” fish.   I found this recipe for Lemon Garlic Tilapia that I thought sounded really good.  It looks really easy and it is a healthy dish that would be good to try out with the Tilapia on sale this week for $3.99/lb.  I would serve this with steamed vegetables.  (If you don’t have any in your freezer the GIANT Steam Ready are $1 a bag and the Birds Eye Steamfresh Selects are $1.67 a bag.)  If you would like to serve this with a starch you could serve it with either rice, mashed potatoes, or baked potatoes.  The Minute Brown Rice is on sale for $0.79 after you use the $0.50/1 from 1/23 RedPlum or 2/27 SmartSource insert and the all-purpose potatoes are $2 for a 5lb. bag. 

Chicken Parmesan:

I really enjoy Chicken Parmesan, but it is not always the healthiest choice for us.  I have made this recipe before and it is not only a healthier chicken parmesan but it is also a really easy weeknight meal.  You can buy the Perdue Boneless, Skinless, Chicken Breast that are 50% off and even less when you use the $0.75/1 coupon from the 1/23 RedPlum insert.  If you don’t have any spaghetti sauce or pasta in your pantry you can pick-up a jar of Francesco Rinaldi for $1 and San Giorgio pasta for $1.  If you want to make a quick salad the Dole Special Blend or Complete Kits are $2.50 a bag.  You can even pick up a loaf of GIANT Italian Bread for $1 or the New York Texas Toast for $1 after this $0.50/1 printable. 

French Toast:

We love breakfast for dinner.  One of our favorites is French Toast.  I like to make it “fancy” with Cinnamon Raisin Swirl bread.  If you need a basic French toast recipe here is one that will get you started.  The Pepperidge Farm Swirl Bread is 50% off.  You can pick up a 2 rolls of Bob Evans Sausage for for $5 when you buy 2 and use the $1/2 printable.  The strawberries that are on sale for $2/lb. would be a sweet and refreshing side to this meal.

Happy Menu Planning!

~Ann

Menu Planning with the MARTIN’S Ad–Kind of

Have you tried any of the recipes that I have posted?  Do you have a family favorite that you would like to share?  I made the Asian Lettuce Wraps (or at least a version that my family would like) last week.  I didn’t buy the sesame oil and I checked to see how much it was to have on hand for the next time I make the lettuce wraps – it was $5 for a 10oz bottle!  I will have to look in an Asian market.  They were really good and I definitely see us eating them again. 

I was really uninspired by this week’s MARTIN’S ad for recipes and thought that I would take the time to instead talk about freezer cooking.  I have talked about it several times in the past and I spent about 3 days working on preparing and freezing foods about 2 weeks before Michael was born this past summer.  I love having a freezer full of goodies that I can always go to and pull stuff together for a meal for us or someone else.  It is because I have a stockpile of frozen meat, vegetables, and even fruit among other items in my freezer that I can have shopping weeks like I had last week.  I want to share some of the things that I keep in my freezer and then a few recipes.

I actually have 3 freezers.  We have a refrigerator in our kitchen and one in our garage, it came with the house and after a year of me complaining about it I convinced Steve to get me a nice side by side during a tax-free weekend for my everyday use.  I also have a chest freezer in the garage.  I lose a chunk of space in that freezer for long-term storage of things like sliced peaches and apples I froze in the summer and fall, and baking ingredients like nuts and coconut.  I keep frozen vegetables, and frozen products like waffles, Texas toast, frozen pasta, and rolls in that freezer.  I keep most of my frozen meat, casseroles, sauces, and cheese in the refrigerator freezer outside.  I keep items that are getting ready to be used in the freezer inside.  Right now I have homemade baby food, and opened packages of things like frozen fruit, pasta, or waffles. 

I mentioned that I have casseroles in my freezer.  I know some people cringe when they hear the word casserole.  Yes, I did freeze a chicken casserole, but it is usually various pasta dishes that I have made.  When I buy large packages of meat I will routinely divide them into close to one pound portions and freeze them individually.  I also make things up to a certain point and then freeze them like meatloaf, meatballs, and sausage.  I like to keep things on hand like cooked chopped chicken breast, diced onions, and chicken broth.  Some family favorites that I either double when I am making them or they make so much I freeze the leftovers for quick meals are pork or chicken BBQ, pizza sauce, chili, and taco meat.

Pizza Sauce:

I enjoy making pizza at home.  My girls always want to help when I make homemade pizza and enjoy taking ownership in the part of the pizza they got to help with.  I found this recipe for pizza sauce or breadsticks dipping sauce and I try to double it because it is so good and easy to make and then pour the leftovers into a freezer bag for the next time.  It is something you can easily play around with and adjust to what you and your family like.  I freeze these flat so that after they freeze I can easily sit them upright in the freezer to conserve space.  If you want to make your own pizza dough try out this recipe it is really good and you can also bake just the crust and then freeze that for a quick meal.  It will taste better and is better for you than a DiGiorno pizza. :)

Chicken Broth:

I call it broth, but after looking for an on-line recipe I discovered that really I am making Chicken Stock.  (That explains the really rich flavor!)  I will freeze chicken bones from cooking bone-in chicken or if we have a rotisserie chicken.  When I have two “carcasses” I will add whatever vegetables I have on hand usually carrots and onions in addition to celery leaves and a few bay leaves.  I make mine overnight in the crock-pot and strain it and pour it into zip-top freezer bags the next morning.  Here is a link to a post I wrote about a year and a half ago about how I transfer the chicken stock to the individual bags.

How about you – do you have any family favorites you like to keep prepped and on hand in your freezer?  Do you have multiple freezers?  Do you like to save space for things like meat in your freezer so you avoid buying things like frozen pizzas and waffles?  Do you have any meals that are easy to make ahead or double and keep in the freezer for busy nights?  Feel free to share.  :)

Happy Cooking (and freezing)!

~Ann

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. 

Have you tried any of the recipes that I have posted?  Do you have a family favorite that you would like to share?  I finally got to try the Spaghetti with Parmesan and Bacon last week.    This is what my version looked like.

I had started the recipe then realized while the pasta was cooking that I didn’t have any frozen peas.  Steve came up with the idea to pick the peas out of a bag of frozen mixed vegetables.  He willingly stood over the sink with a colander and measuring cup and said I think we are only going to have 1/2 cup of peas instead of a full cup.  :)  I thought the pasta was good, Steve said he would like for me to make it again, the girls weren’t in love with it. I did reduce the black pepper to only 1/2 tsp (I was using the stuff from a can, not freshly ground).  I would probably reduce the garlic next time– 3 cloves was a little overpowering and I think that may have been what turned the girls off.  I also substituted fat free evaporated milk for the 2% milk.  I was hoping the sauce would have a creamier flavor if I used the evaporated milk.  I think that my mistake was using the fat free milk.  I think it needed a little bit of fat to thicken the sauce more.  I obviously didn’t use spaghetti either – I used the spirals because that is easier for the girls to eat, and I was hoping the shape would hold the sauce better as well.

This week’s meal ideas are all about pork.  I have mentioned that I buy the eye of the round roast to grind and make my own extra lean ground beef.  I also do the same thing with a boneless pork tenderloin.  I cut it myself (although every time I tell myself I am going to have them cut it next time) and cut a roast, tenderloin chops, and grind the rest.  I know some people don’t eat pork for various reasons.  I encourage you to read on even if you don’t eat pork because some of these recipes can be adapted for chicken.

Roasted Pork:

I found this recipe on allrecipes.com  for Garlic Herb Roast Pork and thought it sounded so easy, delicious, and could impress your family or guests.  I like to read the reviews of people who made the dish and read that several people did not use the fresh herbs and thought it still tasted delicious.   I think you could adapt this to your slow cooker.  I only read one reviewer who did that.  They said they cooked it on low overnight with enough water to cover the meat so that it didn’t dry out.  I don’t see why you couldn’t cook it on low for 6-8 hours.  Just make sure you keep an eye on the temperature of your pork.  I am one of those people who doesn’t like to see pink in pork.   This would be great with roasted potatoes (buy the  5lb. bag of all purpose potatoes for $2) and frozen green beans (GIANT brand is $1) or fresh asparagus ($2.99/lb.).

Asian Lettuce Wraps:

I got 2 heads of butter lettuce last week at Costco with the idea to make lettuce wraps.  I was searching for a recipe and this is one that I thought looked delicious.  I think this is a recipe that is easy to adapt to a different protein – instead of ground pork try ground turkey or diced chicken.  I personally am not a fan of tofu – I know it is probably a mental thing – so I appreciate the footnote at the bottom of the recipe with suggestions for making this recipe one your family will like.  I don’t have sesame oil or hot chili paste in my kitchen.  I read that you can substitute olive oil for the sesame oil, but if you are going to the store it was highly suggested to buy the sesame oil, it evidently has a distinct flavor that will enhance the dish.  I read that you can substitute red pepper flakes, cayenne, or bottled hot sauce for the hot chili paste.  I would serve this with some asian stir fry vegetables or steamed edamame and rice.

Pork Chops:

I remember eating pork chops for dinner as a child, but I don’t really cook them on a regular basis.  I have trouble cooking my pork chops so that they don’t turn out dry.  I found this recipe about a year ago and it turned out really good.  I think that frying them just a little bit and then baking them is the secret.  I have made chicken breast or chicken tenders following this technique in this recipe.  You just have to adjust your cooking time.  You could serve one of the Knorr Pasta or Rice sides (just $1 this week) if you need a quick side dish.  You could also make mashed potatoes from the 5lb. bag of all purpose potatoes for $2.  I always like to have something “green” on our plates so you could use a bag of GIANT frozen vegetables for $1 or get a Dole salad kit for $2.50. 

Pork BBQ:

I like to pick up a Fresh Whole Shoulder Pork Roast when they are on sale ($0.99/lb this week) and just stick it in my slow cooker with a bottle of barbeque sauce (Kraft is on sale this week for $1.99 and part of the spend $15 get $5 off promotion).  Depending on the barbeque sauce I may add some brown sugar, soy sauce, hot sauce, or whatever I am in the mood for.  I cook it on low for 6-8 hours (varies with size of the roast), then I take it out and chop it.  You could make you own potato wedges with the all purpose potatoes on sale for $2 for something green you can add the GIANT frozen vegetables that are $1 this week or eat some fresh broccoli that is $1.69/lb and baby carrots that are $2.99 for a 2 lb. bag with some Ranch dressing (the Kraft is on sale for $1 and part of the spend $15 get $5 off promotion) .  This usually makes lots of barbeque, more than we need for even two meals so I routinely freeze the leftovers.   The leftovers make a great quick weekend meal.  (If you aren’t a pork eater I have done the same thing with boneless skinless chicken breast, they just cook up faster so keep an eye on them.)

Happy Menu Planning!

~Ann

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. 

We have been eating even fewer full dinners at home recently.  Steve and I are “in training” for the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k in April so we have been going to the YMCA together about two nights a week when he gets home from work and leaving the kids in the child watch.  We are up to 3-4 miles a day now so when we get home we are eating light high protein things like a salad with grilled chicken and hard boiled eggs.  I have been trying to keep both on hand by hard boiling a dozen eggs at a time or grilling a little over a pound of chicken at one time on my George Foreman grill.  We have been eating the Balance bars that I stocked up on on our way to the YMCA so that we don’t crash in the middle of our mileage. 

Have you tried any of the recipes that I have posted?  Do you have a family favorite that you would like to share?  I am hoping to make and try the Spaghetti with Parmesan and Bacon tonight.  I’ll let you know how it turned out and what my family thought of the recipe.

Eye of Round Roast:

I mentioned in my top deals post that I like to buy the Whole Eye Round Roast when they go on sale and grind some of it for my own lean ground beef.  I usually save about 2-3 pounds to cook as a roast.  I saw this recipe in the January issue of All You Magazine and was excited to find it on-line so that I didn’t have to type it out.  It looks really easy and looks like it could easily be cooked in a slow cooker just cook it on low for about 8 hours or high for 4-6 hours.  I would sear the meat in a pan before adding it to the slow cooker.  You could serve it with mashed potatoes (with the gravy on top) or over egg noodles.  The Pennsylvania Dutch Noodles are on sale for $1.25 a bag.  You could add a bag of the Birds Eye Steamfresh vegetables that are on sale this week for $1.33 when you buy 3 and use the $1/3 coupon in the 1/23 SmartSource insert.  You can use the leftover roast for sandwiches for the next day or two on the Pepperidge Farm Whole Grain breads or Deli Flats that are $1.49 each when you buy two and use the $0.75/1 coupon from the 2/13 SmartSource insert.

Turkey Tacos:

I am not trying to be one of those “deceptive moms” who hides healthy foods in dishes, but turkey tacos is a great way to introduce your family to ground turkey.  The seasoning disguises the fact that it isn’t ground beef.  The GIANT Ground Turkey (93% lean) is on sale this week for $2.69/lb.  It comes in a 3-lb. package so you can make up a huge batch and freeze the leftovers of just freeze the remaining two pounds for another time.  You can pick up an Old El Paso Dinner Kit for only $1.50 when you use this $0.60/2 coupon.    The coupon is good for any two Old El Paso items so if you don’t want another dinner kit pick up a can of refried beans or an extra taco seasoning packet.  You can get the Sargento shredded cheese for $1.50 when you buy 2 and use the $1/2 coupon from the 1/30 SmartSource insert.  GIANT sour cream is $1.29 at an everyday price.  Don’t forget to hit the produce section for lettuce and tomatoes for your taco night.  You could have the Uncle Ben’s Spanish Style Ready Rice as a quick side for only $0.50 when you use the $0.75/1 coupon from the 2/20 RedPlum insert.

White Chicken Chili:

I am always looking for new ways to use boneless skinless chicken breast.  This is a recipe that has been passed around by ladies at my church for several years.  It has even been submitted to the cookbook that will be available in the Spring.  This recipe is the closest I could find to the actual recipe on-line we add an additional 1 tsp. of cumin to ours.  I also use fat free evaporated milk in place of the whipping cream.  (I have had it both ways.  It taste better with the whipping cream, but I feel better about eating it if I have it with the evaporated milk.)  We enjoy it with either cornbread or crusty bread.  I like to serve a salad so there is something green on our plates as well.  Make sure you pick-up the Perdue Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast that are $2.44 a pound and use the $0.75/1 coupon from the 1/23 RedPlum insert.  The GIANT Sour Cream is regularly $1.29.  You can buy the Old El Paso diced green chilies and use this $0.60/2 coupon.

Strawberry Spinach Salad:

I enjoy fresh fruit and like the salads that are available in restaurants now that incorporate fresh fruit and vegetables.  I found this recipe and thought it would be a good starting point for a different way to enjoy the strawberries that are on sale this week for $2 and the GIANT fresh spinach on sale for $1.50.  You could buy a poppy seed dressing if you don’t have the time to make the dressing in the recipe and allow it to chill.  I have enjoyed similar salads with a raspberry vinaigrette or other fruit vinaigrettes.   (The 16oz. Ken’s Salad Dressings are on sale for $1.50 each when you buy 2 and use the $1/2 coupon from the 1/9 SmartSource insert.)  You can really add whatever you like – change the almonds to walnuts if you like those better, add some grilled chicken or hard boiled eggs for protein to make it a complete meal.  I like to add more fresh fruit such as blueberries, pineapple, or mandarin oranges.  It really depends on what is in season and on hand.  I sometimes add some crumbled feta or blue cheese.  You can easily adjust it to work for what your family likes and dislikes.  You will really enjoy it when you realize how easy and inexpensive it is compared to what you would pay in a restaurant. 

Happy Menu Planning!

~Ann

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.

Have you had a chance to try out any of the previous recipes I have shared? My mom tried the roast pork recipe with a pork roast she had in her freezer.  She told me she made it in her crockpot with a jar of the applesauce I had made in the fall and that it turned out great.

Pot Roast in the Slow Cooker:

I have to admit that I am not the biggest fan of pot roast.  I picked one up a while ago and needed to use it so I stumbled across this recipe.  It was so easy to make and with the exception of the celery (which I just didn’t use) I had everything on hand in my pantry and refrigerator.  It turned out great and may have changed my attitude towards pot roast.  If you don’t have potatoes in your pantry right now pick up the GIANT White Potatoes that are $2 for a 5lb bag.  The beauty of this dish is that you already have your vegetables and potatoes cooked with the meat for a complete meal.  I will sometimes pull out a bag of frozen vegetables (like green beans or broccoli) to add some color to our plates.

Potato Soup:

This recipe if you follow it as written is not for the calorie conscious.  It can be adjusted though with draining all of the bacon grease and sautéing the vegetables in butter, and I substitute fat free evaporated milk for cream in recipes.  I know it doesn’t taste as good as if I used the real thing, but it does add creaminess without all of the fat.  You can use the GIANT White Potatoes that are $2 for a 5lb bag and the Kunzler bacon that is buy one get one free.  I like to serve meals like this with a salad and crusty bread.

Spaghetti with Parmesan and Bacon:

I found this recipe this week in a weekly e-mail from myrecipes.com.   I saw parmesan and bacon and I was drooling over my keyboard.  It is a lighter version of a pasta carbonara.  You can use the Kunzler bacon that is buy one get one free this week and if you don’t have spaghetti in your pantry the San Giorgio pasta is on sale for $1 a box.  The Kraft Grated Parmesan is on sale this week as well $5.99 for a 16oz container.  I would encourage you to splurge and buy the GIANT Parmesan Wedge that is on sale for $7.49/lb in the deli and grate your own cheese – it really well taste better.  If you don’t have any frozen peas in your freezer the 16oz bags GIANT frozen peas are $1 this week. 

Stuffed Pasta Bake:

This is easy to fix and a dish that always goes over well with my family.  It is also a good option if you have a meatless meal one night a week.  The Rosetto Ravioli or Tortellini are on sale this week for $3 a bag.  You simply just have to cook them according to the package directions and then drain them and add them to a lightly greased baking dish and cover them with sauce and cheese.  I just pop it in the oven (usually at 350 degrees) long enough to melt the cheese and have the sauce bubble.   It looks like you slaved over a dish that really was so easy to put together.  The Prego sauce is $1.17 a jar when you buy two and use the $0.60/2 coupon in the 1/2 SmartSource Insert.  If you don’t have any shredded cheese in your refrigerator the GIANT shredded cheese is $1.67 a bag.  I usually use shredded mozzarella, but I have seen people use a blend of cheddar and mozzarella.  You can also buy the stuffed shells and pretty much do the same thing, you just don’t have to cook them first.  You will feel like you are at an Italian restaurant when you complete the meal with a salad and GIANT Texas Garlic Toast that is on sale for $1.29. 

Happy Cooking!

~Ann

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.

Have you had a chance to try out any of the previous recipes I have shared?  I made the Buffalo Chicken Dip for a Super Bowl Party on Sunday and everyone loved it!

Poppy Seed Chicken:

I was so excited to see chicken on sale this week for $1.99/lb. so that I could share this recipe.  Poppy Seed Chicken is one of our family favorites.  I actually got it from a friend’s mom when I was in college and it was the first meal I cooked for Steve when we were dating.  I always make sure that I have the cream of mushroom soup and crackers in my pantry stockpile to make this for dinner or to take to a new mom.  We like to have it with steamed rice and steamed vegetables like the Birds Eye Steamfresh that are on sale this week for $1 a bag or $0.67 each when you buy 3 and use the $1/3 coupon in the 1/23 SmartSource insert.

 

Sausage Casserole:

I have mentioned before that we really enjoy having breakfast for dinner.  This sausage casserole is great for a weeknight meal, a weekend brunch, or just to make up ahead of time so that you can warm up a piece for breakfast on your way out the door.  You can make this with the Bob Evans Sausage Roll (buy 2 for $2.50 each when you use the $1/2 coupon in the 1/16 SmartSource insert), the Sargento cheese (buy 2 for $1.50 each when you use the $1/2 coupon in the 1/30 SmartSource insert), and I have made it with frozen hashbrowns, like the Ore-Ida that are on sale for $2.50 a bag this week.  Do note that this recipe calls for jumbo eggs not large.  If you have large eggs you will need 8 large eggs to equal 6 jumbo eggs.  You can serve this with some fresh fruit or a yogurt parfait.

 

Roasted Pork:

I found this recipe on allrecipes.com for Easy Roasted Pork.  It looks really good and according to the reviews it can be easily converted to a slow cooker recipe making it a great weeknight meal.  (I would suggest the low setting of your slow cooker for 8-10 hours or the high setting for 4-6 hours, just make sure you check your meat for doneness.)  I would serve it with buttered noodles and steamed vegetables like the Birds Eye Steamfresh that are on sale for $1 a bag or $0.67 each when you buy 3 and use the $1/3 coupon in the 1/23 SmartSource insert.

 

Valentine’s Day Surf & Turf:

If you want to make a romantic meal at home instead of going out for Valentine’s Day you may want to try this beef tenderloin recipe.  It will be more than you need for a romantic dinner for two, but you can enjoy the leftovers for a few days.  I know that $8.99/lb. seems high, but it is a really good price for beef tenderloin.  You can also trim it yourself and cut your own beef tenderloin steaks if you prefer to eat it that way.  You can add the Phillips Signature Crab Cakes (only $2.99 when you use this $2/1 coupon) for your “surf” portion.  This would be great with baked potatoes and steamed asparagus that is on sale for $1.99/lb.

 

I hope you and your families are able to enjoy at least one of these recipes this week.  Let me know how they turned out and feel free to share any of your family favorites.

~Ann

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 a few more Super Bowl Menu items this week in addition to four meals for the week.  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.

Super Bowl Party:

Buffalo Chicken Dip:

This looks like a great recipe for making your own Buffalo Chicken Dip.  I don’t see any canned chicken on sale, (I personally don’t care for canned chicken).  If you don’t already have some chicken breast in your freezer you could pick up some Split Chicken Breast ($1.69/lb) and cook them yourself* (20oz of meat is about 3 large chicken breast).  You can pick-up Philadelphia Cream Cheese, Kraft Shredded Cheese, and Ritz Crackers as part of the buy $20 and save $7 promotion.  The Frank’s Red Hot is only $0.50 when you use the $0.50/1 coupon in the 1/23 SmartSource insert.

*I rinse the chicken breast off and rub a little bit of oil and sprinkle them with salt and pepper before baking them at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes depending on their size.  I let them cool then I remove and discard the skin, and pull the meat from the bones.  Save any meat you don’t use for the dip because it will make yummy chicken salad, or you can freeze it for soup.  I also save my bones to make my own chicken broth in my slow-cooker.

Brown Sugar Smokies:

These sound really good and look really easy to make.  The Hillshire Farm Little Wieners or Smokies are on sale for 50% off and if you buy 2 you can use the $0.75/2 coupon in the 1/23 RedPlum Insert.  You can use the GIANT bacon that is on sale for $3.33/lb. 

Fantastic Mexican Dip:

I love this dip and I have made it several times.  It really makes a lot and because of all of the meat it is really filling.  I personally start off with a layer of refried beans (Old El Paso are on sale for $1 a can) and then you can adjust the toppings to whatever suits your group.  It is also really easy to make up to the point of adding the meat, then I put it in the refrigerator and add the rest of the toppings just before serving.  You can buy the ground beef on sale ($2.49/lb), and buy the cream cheese, sour cream, and shredded cheese as part of the buy $20 and save $7 promotion.  The taco seasoning is also on sale for $0.67. 

Quick Things:

You don’t have to be a gourmet chef and make everything from scratch when you are having people over.   You can easily have some heat and serve appetizers or easy things like chips and dip.   Some ideas would be the El Monterey Taquitos, Mini Chimichangas, or Chicken and Cheese Quesadillas.  (On sale for $4.99 and use the $1/1 coupon in the 1/30 SmartSource insert.)  The Heluva Good Dip is only $0.50 this week when you use the $0.55/1 coupon in the 1/23 SmartSource insert.  Utz Potato Chips are 50% off.  Doritos are 50% off, Chi-Chi’s Salsa is $0.50 when you use the $0.50/1 coupon in the 1/16 SmartSource insert.  Microwave popcorn can even fill up an empty snack bowl – Orville Redenbacher’s 6-pack is only $2 if you have the $1/1 coupon from the December 2010 or January 2011 issue of All You Magazine. 

Weeknight Meals:

Pierogies & Sausage:

Mrs. T’s Pierogies are only a $1 a box after the $1/1 coupon in the 1/30 RedPlum insert they are only a $1 a box after the coupon.  I generally boil my pierogies and then saute some onions in butter to put over them and top it off with sour cream.  I thought a really yummy and filling twist would be to serve it with the GIANT Italian Style Sausage that is on sale for $1.99/lb or the Hillshire Farm Polska Kielbasa that is 50% off (buy 2 and use the $0.75/2 coupon in the 1/23 RedPlum insert).  You can make it a complete meal with a bag of the GIANT SteamReady Vegetables.

 

Asian Style Pork Chops with Rice Pilaf:

I came across this recipe and was impressed with how many ingredients are on sale this week.  You can pick-up the Lipton Recipe Secrets are $1.25, the fresh center cut bone-in pork chops are $1.99/lb, and the Knorr Rice Sides are $0.50 each when you buy 2 and use the $0.50/2 coupon in the 1/30 RedPlum insert.  (I haven’t actually tried this recipe so if you do let me know how it turns out.) :)  Finish off the meal with either a salad or a bag of the GIANT SteamReady Vegetables.

 

Salmon Dill Packets:

This is a really simple and easy way to fix salmon.  Take either a square of heavy-duty aluminum foil or use two pieces of aluminum foil, spray it with some non-stick cooking spray, and place a GIANT Fresh Salmon Portion (that are on sale for $4.49 each) on the foil.  Take about 2 Tablespoons of prepared dill dip (the T. Marzetti Vegetable Dip is on sale for $3.49 and use the $0.75/1 coupon in the 1/30 SmartSource insert) and spread it over the salmon fillet.  Make the aluminum foil into a packet and place it on a baking sheet.  Bake for about 20-30 minutes or until the fish is firm and flakes with a fork.   Serve with a bag of GIANT SteamReady Vegetables and rice.

Taco Night:

This is something that is easy to pull together rather quickly and everyone has fun adding their own toppings.  You can use some of the Lean Ground Beef that is on sale in the value pack size for $2.49/lb (put the rest of it in individual freezer bags and freeze in portions your family eats).  The Old El Paso Dinner Kit is on sale for $2.35 – it has the seasoning, sauce, and shells or tortillas all together.  This is another opportunity to purchase sour cream and cheese from the buy $20 and save $7 promotion. 

 

Let me know if you try any of these recipes and how they turn out.  I would love it if you wanted to share any of your recipes.  I love trying out new recipes!

~Ann