Sorry if you received a blank email. I currently want to breakup with this blog. Therefore you won’t see pics on this post – so sorry!
Fair warning: I’m getting up on my soapbox in 5, 4, 3, 2, …
This is a totally shameless promotion, I admit, but for a cause I think is really important. The organization is Safe Families, and their goal is to provide a safety net to families in crisis by providing stable and safe care for children while parents/caregivers get the support they need in a temporary situation. It’s about healthy families and churches nationwide stepping in to care for kids so they don’t end up scattered in foster care. I’m super excited about stepping into leadership with this organization.
This little plug really has little to do with eating well on a budget. Except for the fact that my involvement may require that I work even harder to serve nutritious, high quality and (typically) kid-friendly meals on a budget. But I’m all for hospitality if it helps mend broken families.
If you’ve ever felt nudged to get involved with caring for kids and families, please take a look! They don’t just need families to host kids – resources, babysitting, meals, etc. are significant too!
So there you have it. Back to our regularly scheduled weekly menu plan.
Enjoy!
Dinner #1:
Pear, Bacon and Gorgonzola Flatbread + Side Salad
Prep and Cooking Time: 25 minutes
Total: $5.78 for the flatbread + estimated $2.00 for the salad
Dinner #2:
Rosemary Balsamic Glazed Chicken + Seasonal Veggie
Prep and Cooking Time: 1 hour, 25 minutes (after marinating overnight)
Total: $6.22 for the chicken + estimated $2.00 for the veggie
Dinner #3:
Creamy Sausage and Tomato Pasta + Side Salad
Prep and Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Total: $6.80 for the pasta + estimated $2.00 for the salad
Dinner #4:
Weekend Chile Rellenos + Seasonal Fruit
Prep and Cooking Time: 1 hour
Total: $5.72 for the rellenos + $2.00 for the fruit
Dinner #5:
Prep and Cooking Time: 2 hours, 20 minutes (includes 2 hours marinating time)
Total: $5.95 for the curry
Dinner #6:
Sausage, White Bean and Sausage Soup + Side Salad
Prep and Cooking Time: 45 minutes
Total: $5.58 for the soup + estimated $2.00 for the salad
Total for 6 nights of dinners: $46.05! That’s about $1.92 per serving!
Shopping List:
Meat or Poultry
- 4 strips bacon (turkey or regular)
- 3 1/2-4 pound whole roasting chicken
- 2 pounds italian sausage (I prefer chicken)
- 1 pound chicken breast or thigh
Produce/Herbs
- 1 pear
- seasonal fruit
- salad ingredients (for 3 salads)
- 1 head garlic
- 1/4 cup fresh rosemary
- 1 bunch spinach
- 3 red onions
- seasonal veggie of choice
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger
- 2 onions
- 1/2 cup fresh basil
- 2 jalapeno peppers
Pantry
- 1 pizza dough
- 3/4 cup red wine
- 3/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1, 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 1 pound pasta
- 2 cans diced green chiles
- 4 corn tortillas
- 1, 15-ounce can white beans
- 1 can coconut milk
- 1 baguette (if serving with soup)
- various spices – coriander, cumin, cloves, cinnamon, cardamon, chili powder
Dairy/Eggs
- 1/4 cup mascarpone cheese
- 1/2 cup gorgonzola cheese
- 1 parmesan or asiago cheese rind + enough for grating over pasta
- 1/2 cup cream or plain yogurt
- 1 cup jack cheese
- 4 eggs
- 2 cups milk
Need more meal plans? I’ve got plenty more to share if you need inspiration in the kitchen!
Join the Community on Facebook
