Menu Plan 6/1/10

Happy Tuesday, everyone.  I thought about skipping the menu planning this week since it is late, but then I thought I might regret that.

Breakfasts:
Leftover Oatmeal Buttermilk Muffins We ate all the bananas before I could make the Whole Wheat Banana Muffins :)
Granola
Milk
Bananas

Lunches:
PB&J Sandwiches on Homemade Bread
Veggie Straws
Apples

Dinners:
Tuesday - Leftovers
Wednesday - Sloppy Cornbread, Broccoli
Thursday - Leftovers
Friday - Quesadillas
Saturday - Spaghetti Pie, Peas
Sunday - ??

Snacks:
Popcorn

Hm, it is June - time for a new header!

My Costco List, Updated

Mmm.  I like Costco a lot these days.  It helps simplify my shopping.  It is a great place to get staples as well as some occasional specialty splurges to mix things up a bit.  When I first started shopping there, my list was pretty limited.  Then, I also added some of their meats.  Those weren't too shabby, but not I am trying to get those locally.  Here's my latest list of items I like to get there.

I don't always get all these items, obviously.  These are things that if I need to buy them, I much prefer to get them at Costco, due to the combination of quality and price!

• Kirkland Trash Bags
• Toilet Paper
• Kirkland Dish Soap (lasts us a year)
• Oxyclean
• Cheddar (various blocks)
• Mozzarella (sometimes the block, sometimes shredded, maybe we will try fresh one of these days)
• Shredded Mexican Cheese
• Feta Cheese
• Kerrygold Butter (for spreading)
• Kirkland Butter (for baking)
• Daisy Sour Cream
• Plain Yogurt
• Milk (for husband)
• Frozen Green Beans
• Frozen Organic Broccoli
• Frozen Blueberries
• Frozen Strawberries
• Frozen Waffles
• Organic Salad Greens
• Bananas
• Frozen Fish
• Nitrate Free Hot Dogs
• Quaker Oatmeal
• Cheerios
• Organic Strawberry Spread
• Coffee
• Izze
• Honey
• Raw Almonds
• Organic Tortilla Chips
• White Wheat Bread
• Flour Tortillas
• Veggie Straws (I am bummed these are being discontinued!)
• Multi-Grain Crackers
• Organic Salsa
• Ultra-Grain All-Purpose Flour
• Sugar in the Raw (turbinado)
• Brown Sugar (Although lately I've been buying rapadura elsewhere when the budget allows.)
• Powdered Sugar
• Organic Lemon Juice
• Cinnamon/Spices
• Vanilla
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Baking Soda
• Vinegar
• Pasta
• Organic Quinoa (My husband is not a fan, so I'm trying to use it up.)
• Deodorant
• Toothpaste
• Vitamins
• Fish Oils
• Granola Bars (for my husband when he is working)

Some notes, of course:

We are contemplating switching dog food brands so we can get it at Costco, but don't know if it is worth the hassle, since what we give our dog is working really well right now.  It is just pricey.
There are other things I add to this list if I am at Costco and not wanting to make a stop elsewhere.

Also, there are definitely more items at Costco that are a good deal.  These are just the items we get on somewhat regular basis.

I really like the coupon booklets that Costco sends out, because they encourage me to try new things :)  I know that is part of the marketing plan, and it works... When I have a coupon for something fun and not too unhealthy, I will use it to add some variety into our menus... that's why we have some take & bake pizza and grilled chicken & mozzarella ravioli in our fridge right now!

Ok any Costco lovers, because I loved your input last time, what else do you think I should add to my list to try?

Crispy, Thin Crust Pizza

I have finally found a homemade pizza crust recipe that my husband and I agree on!  I have been experimenting for a couple of years now, and he has been a good-natured tester.  He likes thin, crispy crusts, which are hard to perfect when you are going for homemade.  For awhile, I had given up, and was complacent with a doughy base to our pizza.  However, he wasn't, and fortunately kept egging me on to find something better.

Now, that is all behind me.

Here's what I do.  Feel free to experiment and alter as desired.

I preheat the oven to 500 F.

I make the Pioneer Woman's Pizza Dough.  (Scroll past her pictures for the short, printable version if you like.  That's what I usually do.  This recipe is also in her cookbook.)  I like this recipe for 4 reasons: 1. It uses just a few ordinary, wholesome ingredients.  2. It is not sweet.  3. No kneading.  4. No rising.  (It says to let it rise in the cookbook, but I don't when making my crispy crust version.)

So, like I just said, I don't bother letting it rise.  If I am only making one pizza, after the ball of dough has been coated lightly with olive oil, I take half of it and stick it in a ziplock in the freezer in a covered bowl in the fridge or whatever.

Then, I smear olive oil on my pizza stone and sprinkle with cornmeal.  With my fingertips, I smoosh and spread the dough out as thin as possible on top of the oil and cornmeal.  It pretty much goes to the edges of the stone.  Next, I lightly sprinkle Italian seasoning and garlic powder on top.  Then, I bake it for 12 minutes at 500.

After removing it from the oven, I top with sauce, cheese, a teeny bit of minced garlic (from the jar in the fridge that I got at Aldi for $1 something), and whatever else we have to throw on top.  I try to do this pretty quickly because it is HOT and the toppings start to melt and cook :)  Then, I pop it back in the oven for another 7-8 minutes at 500 F.

There you go.

Let me know if you have any additions you suggest we try!

6/13/10  Edited:  I tried this at my parents' house with a cookie sheet and it did not get very crispy at all in this amount of time.  So maybe with a regular cookie (rather than a stone like I use at home) it needs to prebake even longer???

Menu Plan 5/24/10

Breakfasts:
Granola with Milk
I think we are done with hot oatmeal for the summer :)
Waffles with Syrup
Bueberries, Strawberries

Lunches:
PB&J on Homemade Bread
Carrot Sticks, Salad, Fruit
Almonds
Dessert

Dinners:
Monday - BBQ Meatballs, Cornbread, Peas
Tuesday - Leftovers
Wednesday - Omelets, Fingerling Potatoes
Thursday - Costco Take and Bake Pizza, Salad with Aunt Trish's Salad Dressing
Friday - Leftovers
Saturday - Tuna Cheesies, Broccoli
Sunday - Egg Salad
Monday (Memorial Day) - Hot Dogs (nitrate free), Zucchini

Dessert:
Whole Wheat Banana Muffins
Dark Chocolate Cupcakes with Ganache

Summer is almost here!

This post is part of Menu Plan Monday over at the Organizing Junkie.

Why Grassfed Beef, Why Pastured Chickens?

Confession:
I am not an animal lover or animal rights activist.  Call me cold hearted, but that is not the reason I care about animals that we eat and the animals that produce the eggs and milk we consume.  Well, I do a little.  But my main reason is selfish.  It is because when animals are treated better, when they eat what they were biologically created to eat, they are more nutritious for us to eat and the products they produce for us to eat more nutritious, too.  I am no scientist, but from what I understand, it makes a big difference.  If you are curious, check into it, and I bet you will be surprised with what you find.

Weekly Wrap-Up

I want to keep things simple this summer.  So, here's my to-do list: 1. Swim  2. Read   There are a few other things I would like to do, including some crafting, but I am not making those things my goals.  Because the summer will not be a failure if they don't get checked off.  It is selfish, but I want summer to be summer.  I will be working as usual, and I don't want every spare minute planned.  I want to enjoy the summer with my family.  (That is a lot of "I wants", but I might as well tell you how I honestly feel.  If I do happen to craft anything, I will of course share.)

I am a little bit jealous of people who have their own (nice) pool in their backyard.

I am noticing that I have to stop at the store less often for food.  I like that.  Since our milk, eggs, produce, and some meat are coming from local sources, now, I don't have to restock at the store as often.  I can shop for the remaining items a month at a time (or more) and not worry about them going bad (some stuff, like cheese, can go in the freezer).

This Easy Baked Apple Oatmeal looks so yummy and semi-healthy (@ Tammy's Recipes).

The library notified me that my turn came up on the waiting list for The Omnivore's Dilemma.  I have it now and am looking forward to an interesting read.

I really should go fold some laundry now.

Pink Peonies!

My husband brought some peonies home from his parents' yard.

Inspired by John and Sherry's budget blooms, I made 4 arrangements out of the original, seen below....

One for my daughter to enjoy at her level,

another for a bedside table,

plus another small one for our bathroom vanity, and the remaining ones in the kitchen on the table!

Fresh peonies are a finer thing :)

Menu Plan 5/17/10

Breakfasts:
Soaked Oatmeal or Granola
Milk
Fruit

Lunches:
PB&J Sandwiches
Carrot and Celery Sticks
Yogurt with Honey and Blueberries
Fruit
Dessert

Dinners:
Monday - Tuna Cheesies, Steamed Broccoli
Tuesday - (nitrate-free) Chili Dogs, Yam Fries
Wednesday - Dinner with Friends
Thursday - Pasta with Meatballs and Tomato Basil Cream Sauce, Salad
Friday - Leftovers
Saturday - Pancakes & Eggs
Sunday - Spinach Rice Casserole, Fruit Smoothies

Snacks:
Almonds
Popcorn

Desserts:
Homemade Chocolate Pudding (trying to perfect this)
Dark Chocolate Cupcakes with Ganache

Peanut Butter Cookies

Gluten free and dairy free.

Thanks to my dear friend Carolyn for this super easy and yummy recipe! I think she got it from Paula Deen.  Not personally, of course, you know.  Then again... maybe so.  They are both Southerners...

1 cup peanut butter, creamy or crunchy
1 cup sugar  I used turbinado.
1 egg, beaten
1 t. vanilla

Mix together.  Dough will be very stiff.  Roll into walnut-sized balls and place on cookie sheet.  Flatten with bottom of a glass or jar.  Make the criss-cross design with a fork, if desired.  Bake at 350 for 12 minutes.  Let cool before removing.  This is important since they are very crumbly when still warm.

Yeild: approximately 18 cookies

I had 3 people asking me for the recipe, one proclaiming that she doesn't usually like peanut butter cookies!

Weekly Wrap-Up

My now typical random notes plus some links:

So far, we like the milk from the farm.  I joined a carpool and have to make the trip down to the farm once a month.  $5 a galllon seems like a pretty decent deal.  It is sweet and creamy.  It is not as thick as I expected, though, for which I am glad. I can also get pastured eggs and chickens.

Do you like history?  I do.  My husband and I have been watching Band of Brothers for the first time.  Very good.

Sometimes I think the month of May is busier than December.  I should make my summer to-do list.

Now the links.  One craft and two food items.

I want to make simple modern silhouettes of my children for our house (@ Homemade Ginger).

This is another homemade salad dressing I want to try (@ The Pioneer Woman).

These magic monkey bananas would be a yummy summer treat (@ Life as Mom).

Menu Plan 5/10/10

Regarding last week's menu plan.... We didn't have the omelets, so those are back in the mix.  I did make some Cheesy Bow Ties (except with penne, and no romano) and they were yummy once again.  (I also used a tomato from the freezer, not canned tomatoes.)  We also had Rice, Bean, and Cheese Casserole - which is actually more like a skillet dish.  We ate it with homemade guacamole, salsa, sour cream, and chips!

Breakfasts:
Soaked Oatmeal
Raw Milk
Fruit

Lunches:
PB&J Sandwiches
Carrot & Celery Stick with Ranch Dip
Dessert

Dinners:
Monday - Veggie & Cheese Omelets, Homefries
Tuesday - Out to Eat (for my husband's b-day)
Wednesday - Thin Crust Hamburger Pizza, Salad
Thursday - Beef & Bean Soft Tacos, Salad
Friday - Leftovers
Saturday - Pancakes
Sunday - Leftovers

Desserts:
Best Birthday Cupcakes In the World with Cream Cheese Frosting
Anything else that strikes my fancy!

May Meal Ideas

I needed some inspiration for some budget friendly meals so I turned to Sarah's menu plans.  Although we aren't vegetarian, I did indeed find the inspiration I was needing.  So here are my ideas for the remainder of May, requiring as few new igredients to be purchased as I can manage.  I've got plenty of beef, beans, eggs, but no chicken, and I am waiting to buy that.

Tuna Cheesies
Soft Beef Tacos
Chili Dogs (nitrate-free)
Homemade Pizza
Baked Pasta/Pasta Salad
Spinach Rice Casserole
Omelets
Breakfast Casserole
Chocolate Chip Pancakes
Grilled Cheese

(everything x2)

Because I Should Be Going to Bed...

 but instead I am on a blogging kick...

Here's what my kitchen sink looked like when I went to bed last night.

Hey, at least they are clean.  In my defense, that is just from one day.  I don't let them sit dirty overnight!

Here is what is on the top shelf of my fridge right now (because I'm sure you care).

Does that gross anyone out?

And, I redid the blog header for spring.  I am going to try to change it up more often so it is not as huge of a deal when I do.  Not that it is a big deal to anyone else but me :)

Ok, now I'm off to bed.

Oatmeal Bread

My most successful bread so far.  Makes 2 loaves.  No breadmaking machine required!

This recipe is from an older widow lady who used to bring my family a loaf of this fresh bread to us every now and then when I was growing up.  I like it best when warm, with butter.

If I am going to go to the effort of baking bread, I want it to turn out well - in texture, taste, and health.  This recipe does that pretty well, so far.  My husband has even given it the thumbs up.

To get away from canola oil, I just tried it with coconut oil in the bread, and olive oil in the bowl for rising.  That was a success.  I wonder if I could try honey for the molasses, simply because I can buy honey easier in large quantities...  I'm not sure which is cheaper, though.

Here you go:

Oatmeal Bread

1 c. regular oats, uncooked
1/2 c. molasses
1/3 c. canola oil
1 t. salt
1 and 1/2 c. boiling water
2 pkgs. yeast (or 4 and 1/2 t. yeast)
1/2 c. warm water (105-115 degrees F)
1 c. whole wheat flour
about 5 c. all-purpose flour
2 eggs, beaten (room temperature)

Combine first 5 ingredients, mixing well; cool to 105-115.  I don't measure the temperature; I just stick my finger in and guess.
Dissolve yeast in warm water in a large bowl; let stand 5 minutes.
Add oats mixture, whole wheat flour, 2 c. all purpose flour, and eggs; mix well.
Stir in enough remaining flour to make a soft dough.

Turn dough out on a floured surface and knead 8-10 minutes (until smooth and elastic). I do this entirely in my Kitchen Aid mixer with the dough hook.

Place in a well-grease bowl, turning once to grease top.  Cover tightly with plastic wrap and let rise.  I cover with a damp cloth and put in the microwave (not on).  I figure it is pretty draft-free.

Punch dough down; divide in half.  Shape each into a loaf.  Place in well-greased 9x5x3 inch pans.  Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk.

Bake in a 375 degree oven for 30 minutes or until loaf sounds hollow when tapped.  I learned the hard way to let it bake the entire time, even if it is getting really brown.

Mmm, enjoy!

Notes

Hmm, it seems like a weekly roundup of some thoughts might be an efficient way for me to write these days.  Even if it is a bit unorganized...

Rhubarb.  It was in the freezer.  I didn't want to make pie crust or clean strawberrries.  So I made rhubarb cobbler using the Creeping Crust Cobbler Recipe.  It was yummy and tart, just the way I like it.  Since it was rhubarb after all, and more than two cups worth, I used the full amount of sugar and that was good.  (Actually, I use Sugar in  the Raw, aka turbinado sugar, from Costco.  That's what I always use in place of white sugar these days.  I'm not sure how much better it is for you, but whatever.  It works and is good.)   So.  If you have rhubarb given to you from your husband's grandma, I recommend making the cobbler.

I also made the Homemade Chocolate Pudding, following the recipe as directed.  Here's what I didn't like - too honeyish for me, not rich or chocolatey enough.  Maybe it would help if I hadn't used the 1% milk that I was trying to use up.  Maybe I should have added more cocoa.  Maybe I should try using sugar (turbinado).  It was better after I added some peanut butter and chilled it overnight, and then used my handblender to blend it up again (some lumps had formed in the fridge).  I will probably try it again with some more or all of these modifications, because it was easy and wholesome!

Why do I get just a tiny bit burned out on cooking in the spring?  It's like I just get bored with recipes and don't know what to make.  It seems to happen each year.  I'm in need of some fresh, healthy, easy, and cheap inspiration.

Speaking of recipes, lentils are on my "to try" list.  But I have not idea what to do with them.  Any suggestions?

Avocados were 39 cents at Aldi this past week.  What?!  Oh yeah, Cinco de Mayo.  The first time I went there they were out.  Then I went and bought 6.  They are super green, so hopefully they darken up in time for some yummy guac.  Or I could just eat them.  Because I like to do that, too.

Um, remember this book list?  Well, I was able to keep on rechecking The Creative Family because I wasn't getting around to reading it.  Finally, this past week, I was out of rechecks.  3 hours before it was due back at the library I made myself open it.  Love it!  Why didn't I open sooner?  I quickly scanned the whole thing and made a list of all the ideas in it that I want to try.  It is great crafting inspiration, even for someone without kids.

Time for a new blog banner at the top, huh?  Guess I'll add that to my to-do list.

Ok, anything else I need to brain dump?  That's it for now I guess.

Menu Plan 5/3/10

Breakfasts:
Soaked Oatmeal
Waffles (from a box?!)
Bananas/Oranges
Raw Milk (yes, yes, indeed... more on that to come)

Lunches:
PB&J Sandwiches
Veggie Straws
Crispy Cheese Crackers
Yogurt
Pears
Leftovers

Dinners:
Monday - Pasta and Meatballs with Tomato-Basil Cream Sauce, Peas
Tuesday - Black Bean/Pepper/Cheese Quesadillas, Organic Tortilla Chips and Guacamole
Wednesday - Leftovers
Thursday - Omelets, Homemade Bread
Friday - Beef/Bean/Rice/Cheese Burritos
Saturday - Nitrate-Free Hot Dogs on Buns, Peas
Sunday - Leftovers

Other:
Peanut Butter Cookies for a meeting (I am going to try my friend's gluten and dairy free recipe to be considerate of one of our attendees.)

Ok, now on to make some bread.  With photo documentation so I can share it this time.

Welcome May!

This post is part of Menu Plan Monday.

Tomato-Basil Cream Sauce

I got this from an old Kraft Food & Family magazine. By the way, I miss those! Although they had a lot of processed food suggested for the ingredients, those recipes were great for seasonal inspiration. Anyways, for this sauce, take whatever tomato/pasta/spaghetti sauce you want (one jar), and melt in 2 oz. of cream cheese (cubed), and 2 T. fresh basil (or 2 t. dried basil). My husband likes this mild alternative to typical sauce.