New Rating System

You may have noticed that you can now rate each post. I ask that you use this to rate the recipes as you try them so that other readers can plan their meals accordingly.

Meatball Soup

1 package frozen meatballs ($.75)
1 jar spaghetti sauce ($.25)
2 1/2 cups water
1 package cheese tortellini ($1)
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese ($.50)

In large pot, combine meatballs, sauce, water, and tortellini. Bring to boil. Reduce to simmer for 20 minutes, or until tender. Top with Parmesan cheese.

Dinner: 7/31/09

We ended up eating out last night instead of tonight, which is a perfect example of why you should always leave wiggle room in your menu plan. I was busy all day, so I needed a quick fix.

Pork steaks are on sale for $.88/lb at Summer Fresh this week- STOCKPILE PRICE!
I love to sprinkle them with Lawry's Seasoned Salt and grill them over the charcoal grill. Once they are almost done, baste them with BBQ sauce and flip. Repeat.

We had sliced fresh tomatoes and cucumbers as a side, along with green beans and new potatoes out of the garden.

It was a very inexpensive meal, at just under $2 for the meat, and everything else was free from the garden.

Chicken and Veggie Alfredo

1 box penne pasta, cooked according to package (any other pasta will work)
1 lb. diced boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 jar Ragu Roasted Garlic Parmesan (or any other white pasta sauce you have stockpiled)
2 tsp olive oil (or butter)

Any assortment of veggies from the following, or any other fresh garden veggies (I use them all when possible!):

1 cup diced zucchini
1 cup diced yellow squash
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 green bell pepper, slivered
3 tomatoes, wedged

Cook pasta according to the directions on the package. Drain. Brown chicken with oil in large skillet. Saute chicken with veggies (except tomatoes). Stir in sauce, simmer. Toss in tomatoes just before serving.

Menu Planning

Am I the only person that has a hard time doing this? I am terrible about throwing things together at last minute and causing undue stress on myself. I know that if I'd just do it, I'd feel so much better!

This week, I buckled down and made my menu plan again. We were set to be home almost every evening, so I was planning on making things that take a little longer and can't be eaten on the run. Then, I found out we have football camp every evening this week.

I'm going to try to stick to it, luckily most of it is casserole type dishes that can be reheated easily.

Here's the week's plan:
Lasagna
Sweet & Sour Chicken
Chicken and Biscuits
Breakfast for Dinner

We have get togethers and dinners Friday-Sunday, so we only need 4 meals this week.

Do you guys menu plan? How are you able to adapt it to a busy schedule?

Pancake Battered Onion Rings

Ingredients:
oil (for frying)
boxed pancake mix, prepared according to box (can substitute beer for water)
salt
pepper
garlic
large onion

Directions:
Add seasonings to pancake batter, stir. Slice onion in to rings. Dip rings into pancake mix. Deep or pan fry until golden brown. Enjoy!

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Easy Biscuits

2 cups flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/3 tsp salt
1/3 cup softened butter, margarine, or shortening
3/4 cup milk or evaporated milk

Stir together flour, baking powder, and salt until no lumps remain. Cut in butter with fork, pastry blender, or by hand. When mixture resembles cornmeal, stir in milk. Turn dough out on floured board. Knead a few times until mixture sticks together nicely. Pat out to 3/4 inch thick, cut with biscuit cutters or use a glass (with rim dipped in flour). Bake at 400 for 10-12 minutes.

Snow Cone Syrup

2 c. sugar
3/4 c. water
1 pkg. unsweetened Kool-Aid

Bring sugar and water to full boil. Stir in Kool-Aid. Chill completely. Pour over crushed ice.