next week’s menu plan #4, shopping list included!

Ah nuts.  There I went and pressed the wrong button again.

My apologies if you received last week’s post again.  I’ve been rushing around and doing too much…super important stuff like finishing the second Hunger Games book.  Oh and feeding and bathing my children.  Admittedly, they might be even more properly fed and bathed once I finish the third book.  Raise your hand if you’ve neglected your family and responsibilities to find out if Katniss and Gale ever find true love?

But I digress…

This week’s menu!  We’ve got a sirloin with a corn salsa, meatballs that converted me to a meatball fan, a summer chicken and strawberry salad (a bit premature but I’m really ready for these legs to see some sun), and more.  Also I’ve included the prep and cooking times at many of your requests.  Please keep the feedback coming!

Happy Eating!

Dinner #1:

Pan Roasted Sirloin with Corn Salsa and Roasted Cauliflower

Prep and Cooking Time:  30 minutes

Total:  $7.86 for the sirloin + $1.88 for the cauliflower

Dinner #2:

Mexican Chicken and Rice Bake and a Simple Side Salad

Prep and Cooking Time:  45 minutes for rice, then 30 minutes for bake.

Total:  $8.70 for the bake + estimated $2.00 for a side salad

Dinner #3:

Turkey Meatballs with Golden Raisins and Pine nuts and Sauteed Spinach with Garlic

Prep and Cooking Time:  30 minutes

Total:  $7.91 for the meatballs and $1.64 for the spinach

Dinner #4: 

Lemony Chicken and Potatoes and a Simple Side Salad

Prep and Cooking Time:  90 minutes (most of it cooking time for the potatoes and chicken)

Total:  $5.64 for the chicken and potatoes + estimated $2.00 for the salad

Dinner #5: 

Summer Chicken Salad with Feta, Strawberries and Corn and Whole Wheat Apple Muffins

Prep and Cooking Time:  40 minutes

Total:  $5.75 for the salad + $3.54 for the muffins

Dinner #6:

Chipotle Black Bean Soup and a Simple Side Salad

Prep and Cooking Time:  30 minutes

Total:  $3.22 for the soup + estimated $2.00 for the side salad

Total for 6 nights of dinners:  $52.14!  That’s about $2.17 per person.

Shopping List (items you likely don’t already have in your pantry):

Meat

• 1.5 pounds sirloin steak (I look for $3.99/lb or less)
• 4.5 pounds chicken breast ($1.99/lb if you can find it)
• 1 pound ground turkey or chicken ($2.99/lb if you can find it)

Produce/Herbs

• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 red onion
• 1 bunch cilantro
• 1 jalapeno
• 4 3/4 cup corn (fresh or frozen)
• 1 head cauliflower
• 2 heads garlic
• 1 bunch italian parsley
• 1 bunch green onions
• 1 cup strawberries
• 2 onions
• 5 lemons
• 1 lime
• 1 bunch spinach
• 2 large russet potatoes
• 2 apples

Pantry

• 4 cups cooked brown rice
• 3 15-ounce cans black beans or make your own and you’ll need about 5 cups
• 2 tablespoons light mayo
• 1 4-ounce can green chiles
• 1/2 cup pine nuts (buy just what you need in the bulk section)
• 1/2 cup golden raisins (buy just what you need in the bulk section)
• 2 cups salsa
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (you can buy or make your own)
• 1 teaspoon chipotle chiles in adobo sauce
• 2 cups whole wheat flour

Dairy/Eggs

• 1/4 cup asiago cheese
• 1/2 cup feta cheese
• 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
• 3 cups plain greek yogurt