next week’s menu plan #6, grocery list included!.

What a weekend. 

Let’s hit the highlights:

1.  A bbq for 72 neighbors and friends, followed by all the kiddos watching a movie under the stars in their jammies.  What a proud parent moment.  Community is life-giving, and I pray some day my kids will think not knowing your neighbors is just weird.  Also, I made some bars that I’ll be posting soon.  Just get ready.  And don’t hate…I’ll just say there’s a lot of chocolate and english toffee involved.

2.  A dear friend’s over-the-top amazing circus-themed party complete with ponies (real ponies!) for the kids to ride.  Take a look at her dessert table.  Spectacularly delicious.

3.  I also had the privilege of bringing 2 meals to 2 women I adore!  One newly pregnant and one a new Mama.  Having been in both places I LOVE being able to serve this way.  This chicken was on the menu.

Here’s this week’s menu! 

There are a few more involved or fancy dishes for company or weekend meals, and several that will be great during the week since they’re easy to whip up.  Have a great week, and if you make any of these meals let me know how it goes!

Dinner #1:

Almond Chicken and Haricots Vert with Shallots

Prep and Cooking Time:  30 minutes

Total:  $5.21 for the chicken + $3.24 for the green beans

Dinner #2:

Falafel Pitas with a Simple Salad

Prep and Cooking Time:  20 minutes

Total:  $3.95 for the falafel pitas + estimated $2.00 for a side salad

Dinner #3:

Chicken Cacciatore with Polenta with a Simple Salad

Prep and Cooking Time:  1 hour, 15 minutes

Total:  $7.95 for the chicken and polenta+estimated $2.00 for a side salad

Dinner #4: 

Roasted Salmon with a Blackberry Jalapeno Butter and Roasted Cauliflower

Prep and Cooking Time:  30 minutes

Total:  $13.75 for the salmon + $1.88 for the cauliflower

Dinner #5:

Pasta with Sausage, Broccoli and Asiago with a Simple Salad

Prep and Cooking Time:  25 minutes

Total:  $8.00 for the pasta + estimated $2.00 for the salad

Dinner #6:

Hearty Chicken Tortilla Soup and Cornbread

Prep and Cooking Time:  60 minutes

Total:  $9.07 for the soup + estimated $2.00 for the cornbread

Total for 6 nights of dinners:  $61.05!  That’s about $2.18 per serving.

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

Meat

• 3 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast (I look for around $1.99/lb)
• 3-4 pound fryer chicken, cut (I look for around $1.99/lb)
• 2 pounds salmon (I look for around $4.99/b)
• 1 pound italian sausage (I buy chicken sausage for around $2.99/lb)

Produce/Herbs

• 1 pound haricots vert
• 3 shallots
• 1 bunch italian parsley
• 1 bunch cilantro
• 1 teaspoon rosemary (I prefer fresh, but wouldn’t pay for it since it’s like a weed around here)
• 1 bunch green onions
• 1 head garlic
• 1 avocado
• 1 lemon
• 1 cucumber
• lettuce (for salads)
• tomato
• 1 head cauliflower
• 2 heads broccoli
• 1 1/2 cup blackberries
• 1 jalapeno pepper
• 2 onions
• 1 bell pepper (any color)
• 1 pound mushrooms

Pantry

• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup sliced or slivered almonds
• 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas
• 2 whole wheat pitas
• 2 1/2 cups red wine
• 2 (28 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 pound pasta (fusilli or rigatoni)
• 4 anchovy fillets (optional, for pasta)
• 8 corn tortillas
• 6 cups chicken stock
• cornbread

Dairy/Eggs

• 3 eggs
• 1/4 cup greek yogurt
• 2 cups milk
• 2 sticks butter
• 1/4 cup asiago cheese
• shredded jack cheese for topping on soup