Menu Madness Nov 5th - Nov 11th

This use to be called "Menu Monday" but because I'm starting it on Wednesday...it's just madness.

When I became a stay at home mom for the first time in 15 years, I was bored after the first week. I decided I needed to get more organized so everything would go so much smoother. Of course that never works out like you plan. 

One of the things I decided to work on is a weekly menu and batch cooking. One day out of the week, the kiddos and I could make that weeks meals and enjoy our week. I never could get the hang of "batch" cooking for more than 2 days, but I did enjoy the menu idea. A lot less stressful knowing the answer to the famous question "What's for dinner?". The added plus to knowing the answer was also knowing you have everything to make it. 

I usually don't have anyone home for lunch, so I only make a menu for dinner though I do try to make some breakfast items ahead.

I'm a coupon person. I use to be an extreme couponer but I have calmed down some. But I would always base my menus on what I bought on sale the week before. Since I do a majority of shopping at Homeland, my menus on based on their ads.

It has been awhile since I have done this, so bare with me but I hope it helps save just a little time of your week. 

• Wednesday
  *One Pot Pasta  
     Use the John Morrell Smoked Sausage $1.50 instead of smoked andouille sausage
     American Beauty Pasta $.75
     Onions 2 lbs/$1.00 Firelake Grocery
• Thursday
  *Stouffers Large Family Size Entrees $8.99 (WYB 5 Price)
     Use 1.00/1 Stouffers Party Entrée (if included), Final = $6.99
  *New York Garlic Texas Toast $3.99
     Use .75/1 New York Garlic Bread, Final = $2.49
  
• Friday
  *Fried Catfish (or baked) $6.99 lb
  *Fried Potatoes (same bag)
  *Bush's Canned Beans $.69
     Use 1.00/3 Bush's Chili Beans - SS 10/12, Final = $.07
  
• Saturday
  It is football season so you have to have "tail gate" food
  *Crockpot Meatballs or Meatball sandwiches
     Use Johnson Meatballs $5.99
  *BLT Macaroni Salad
  
• Sunday
  Most people do not make breakfast on Sunday because of church. While you're making breakfast for dinner, make extra and wrap it up for the week. Also, peel extra potatoes for your soup tomorrow, brown your hamburger meat, throw it in a pot, then put it in the refrigerator after it cools and you have Monday's dinner done.
  *Hungry Jack Pancakes and syrup $2.00 each
     Use Hungry Jack Syrup $.55/1, Final = $2.90
  *Pillsbury Grands Biscuits $1.00
     Use .40/3 Pillsbury Grands Biscuits, Final = $2.20 for 3
  *Jennie-O Breakfast Sausage $2.99
     Use 1.00/1 Jennie-O Breakfast Sausage, Final = $.99
  *Fried Best Choice Premium Potatoes $2.25
• Monday
  *Cheeseburger Soup
     Some of the items were on sale but because meat varies, this soup cost varies.
• Tuesday
  *Fisherboy Fish Sticks 60oz $7.99    Use 1.00/1 Fisherboy Product, Final = $5.99
  * Kraft Mac & Cheese or Velveeta Shells & Cheese boxes $1.00 (Buy 10 price)
     Use 1.00/1 Kraft Mac & Cheese - Homeland Care Book, Final = Varies 

Roughly $50 to feed a family of 5, depending on the staples you have and the meat. Of course if you find better deals or coupons you can save more. 

I hope this helps. If you have any ideas or suggestions, please let me know.  

*Coupon match ups are from http://www.couponing4charity.com/blog

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Thanksgiving Placecard Markers

This is a really cute idea from Wilton

Double the fun this Thanksgiving by creating autumn-inspired place cards for the holiday table. Not only do they enhance the décor, but make scrumptious mini desserts to enjoy after the big meal.

Here´s how easy they are to make! Begin by pouring melted Candy Melts into mini loaf pan cavities and refrigerate until firm. Next, use additional melted candy to write guests´ names on the cards and to brush the edges. Dip each edge into fall-themed sprinkles to create a festive border. Your place cards are ready! Guests will be as impressed by the custom place cards as they are by the turkey and trimmings. The "cards" can be wrapped in plastic and enjoyed later if everyone is too "full" to eat another bite after the Thanksgiving feast.

Tools:

• Mini Loaf Pan
• Decorator Brush Set
• Disposable Decorating Bags

Ingredients:

• White Candy Melts®
• Orange Candy Melts®
• Dark Cocoa Candy Melts®
• Leaves Mix Sprinkles

Makes: Each candy serves 1.

instructions

*Brand confectionery coating.
Melt Candy Melts according to package instructions. Pour into mini loaf pan cavities creating a layer 1/8 to 1/4 inch deep. Refrigerate until firm. Unmold.
Place melted candy in disposable decorating bags; cut a small hole in tip. Write name on plaque with contrasting melted candy.
Brush edges of candy plaque with additional melted candy. Dip each edge into sprinkles. Repeat with remaining plaques.
Refrigerate until firm. Cut additional Candy Melt in half; trim one edge flat to create right angle. Attach both halves to back of plaque to act as a stand.

Chicken Alfredo Roll-ups - Successful Pintested Dinners

So sorry that I have not had a chance to post in FOREVER! I've been so stupid busy that I've barely had a chance to cook or do anything. 

However, one day a couple of weeks ago I did get a chance to make a Pinterest meal, Chicken Alfredo Roll-ups. I will say this about it, make sure you make A LOT. It is so time consuming that it only pays to make tons. 

I copied the recipe from MMM Cafe but you can see the post on their blog.

Chicken Alfredo Roll-ups

 9 lasagna noodles
2 ½ cups alfredo sauce (optional homemade recipe below)
2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
oregano
garlic salt
3 cups shredded Mozzarella, or cheese of your choice

Spray an 8x8 pan with non-stick spray and pour ½ cup alfredo sauce, or just enough to cover the bottom of the pan. Boil 8-10 cups water in a large pan, cook lasagne noodles until al dente. (I usually cook 1 or 2 extra just because lasagna noodles always seem to break on me when I am stirring them.)
Now this is the important part! Drain and rinse the noodles with cold water to prevent them from sticking to each other. Then, lay out each noodle individually and blot dry with a paper towel.

Spread about 2 Tbs. alfredo sauce over each noodle. (if there is too much sauce you will have a big mess on your hands!) Sprinkle oregano and garlic salt on top of sauce. Take 1/9 of the shredded chicken and spread it out evenly over each noodle. Add approx. 3 Tbs. cheese. To roll up, start at one end and roll the noodle over the toppings. You will need to lift the noodle a little to prevent squishing out the inside ingredients while rolling.

Place the roll-ups in the pan, one by one, seam-side down so they don't come undone. Once they are all in the pan, pour the remaining alfredo sauce over the top. Top with remaining cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted on top.

Serves 3, 3 roll-ups each
Recipe highly adapted from Artsyfartsymama.blogspot.com