Menu Planning {not}

I've decided to take a blogging "menu planning" hiatus.  Summer is a stressful time for meal planning here,  one of the things I factor into my menu planning is weather.  Around here it's so back and forth, from too warm to use the stove and oven, to a rainy/chilly day for which a comfort food would be enjoyed...  So, I'm going day by day for a little while.

I'm not what will be shared here in the meantime.

Menu Planning

Sorry readers! I'm menu planning off the cuff this week.  It's just been a little crazy,  now that some grocery shopping has happened, I'll be better able to write up a plan....

Look for my regular menu planning format next week!

Menu Plan, June 20-25

This week I'm only "menu-ing" {=planning/committing to} supper meal ideas....  Breakfasts will be mostly cereal, with pancakes thrown in occasionally; lunch will be mainly left overs or childrens choice.   

Mon, June 20-
s: hot dogs, sides: asparagus, pasta

Tues, June 21-
s: Cheeseburger roll up

Wed, June 22-
s: Burritos

Thurs, June 23-
s: Fish sticks/fries

Fri, June 24-
s: Pizza

Sat, June 25-
s: at Church

Menu Plan {ish} June 13-19

Yes, this one is with an "ish" because I've come up with part and most is yet to come!  As usual do not fret the family will eat, wonderfully created meals, some just may be a little off the cuff!  I think I'll go read a cookbook after I post this, hopefully that will inspire the rest of the menu.

Mon:
b: pancakes
l:  children's choice
s:  hot dogs & mashed potatoes

Tues:
b:  Egg & sausage English muffins
l:   Polish saus or chicken pattie/ mashed potatoes
s:  Meatball stroganoff

Wed:
b:  Biscuits/ cereal 
l:  l/o's
s:  Asian chicken/rice

Thurs:
b: Pancakes
l:  l/o's
s:  Pizza Casserole

Fri:
b:
l:
s:

Sat:
b:
l:
s:

Sun:
b:  Eggs, hashbrowns, bacon
l:  probably something bbq'd {that's what the daddy here likes!}
s:  sandwich

Menu Plan, June 6-11

OK so this week has been a little crazy and usual, I'm not writing a menu plan for this week on the blog.  Next week we should be back to "normal" around here and there will be a written plan {here}- In the mean time, I need a week off from a formalized plan.

Don't worry! The family will get their meals!  I'll just be planning day-by-day and using what I have on hand.  The worst thing one can do in a busy time such as this is to rush to the store or for take out- either of those options completely blow the budget!  

Menu Plan, May 30-June 5

Mon, May 30-
b: Toast/cereal
l:  Lebanon bologna & Swiss wraps
s:  Pulled pork sandwiches/hot dogs/fries/corn

Tues, May 31-
b:  Pancakes
l:  l/o *we had a variety of leftover items, a smorgasbord!
s: Toaster pizzas/ Ham & cheese macaroni salad 

Wed, June 1-
b:  Toast/cereal
l:   Sandwiches 
s:  Soft tacos 

Thurs, June 2-
b:  Egg/bacon english muffins
l:  Swedish meatballs/mashed potatoes/gravy {A day off for Daddy!}
s:  Chicken nuggets/fries

Fri, June 3-
b:  toast/cereal
l:  burritos
s:  Sandwiches on the go

Sat, June 4-
b: toast/cereal
l:  U-pick
s:  Grilled cheese sandwiches

Sun, June 5-
b: toast/cereal
l:  Velveeta Mac
s:  Sandwich/chips

Menu Plan May 23- 29

This week's menu is about using what we have on hand {canned goods/freezer items}.  I purchased some meat mid-week that was to be or this week, but ended up returning it, as it had a bad smell, I decided not to replace it right away, and just keep this week's menu to using the on hand items.  New to us recipes this week are from "Taste of Home's Best Church Suppers" {TofH}, other new recipes are from "Mennonite Girls Can Cook" {mgcc}.  Attending a new church has really changed our Sunday meal plans, first, we have time for a bigger breakfast.  I have been making lunch the big meal of the day, and it's eaten a little later than the usual weekday lunch time... Everyone has a smaller "snack" type meal before we leave for the Sunday evening service... I'm finding that we all are coming home hungry... Perfect for making a nice dessert/treat.         

Mon, May 23-
b:  toast/cereal
l:  l/o from weekend
s:  Black Bean Tortilla Casserole {TofH}

Tues, May 24-
b: Arme Ritter {french toast} - {mgcc}
l:  Hot dogs/french fries
s: Shepherd's pie {canned soup topped w/ boxed mashed potatoes

Wed, May 25-
b: Pancakes
l: Taquitos
s: Italian Meatball Sanwiches

Thurs, May 26-
b: Eggs/toast
l: l/o meatballs
s: Tempura chicken {bought prepared/freezer section}
    w/Frank's Red Hot Buffalo wing dipping sauce 

Fri, May 27-
b: toast/cereal
l:  {boxed} Potatoes Stroganoff
s: Spaghetti

Sat, May 28-
b: Pancakes
l: l/o
s: {hopefully outdoor} Grilled Polish Sausages

Sun, May 29-
b: Waffles
l: french fry casserole
s: l/o's U-pick

Menu Plan May 16-May 22

Fresh bread is in the oven as I type this post, hurray!!!!  Two weeks without an oven was a long time - it was fun to use the other appliances in the cupboards- we really missed the homemade bread and baked goods {AKA treats}... We're glad to be back in business!

I've explored a couple cookbooks for this week's menu: Taste of Home's "Best Church Supper Recipes" and a little self published spiral bound cookbook I picked up at an Amish store in LaPlata, MO called "Grandma's Recipes: Recipes from the 1920's, 30's and 40's"

I just ordered the cookbook by Mennonite Girls Can Cook; which should arrive next week sometime.  I can't wait to try some of their recipes!

Here is this week's menu:

Mon, May 16-
b: Pancakes
l:  Children's choice
s:  Cheese tortellini w/chicken & Italian flavoured tomatoes {my concoction}

Tues, May 17-
b:  Eggs, toast & cereal
l:   l/o and Chicken nuggets
s:  Polish sausage/french fries

Wed,  May 18-
b:  Apple Pancakes {Grandma's}
l:   Children's choice
s:  Homemade Pizza {cheese and ham}

Thurs, May 19-
b: Pop-overs {Grandma's}
l:  l/o pizza
s:  Ham 'n' Cheese Potato Bake {T of H}

Fri, May 20-
b:  Oatmeal Pancakes {Grandma's}
l:  l/o Ham 'n' cheese bake
s:  Fish sticks/mashed potatoes

Sat, May 21-
b:  Baked Eggs {Grandma's}
l:  hot dogs
s:  Chicken/Cheese Cups {T of H}

Sun, May 22-
b:  Toast/cereal
l:   Sweet/sour chicken over rice
s:  Sandwiches; tuna, PB, cheese etc

The Oven/Range

The parts are here for the oven.... A repairman is coming back for the third time {something about 3rd time is a charm???}.....  I was presumtuous the last time, and announced that we would have pizza.... this time I'm waiting, until the oven/range is actually repaired to create the new menu.

I can say that the first thing that will be made is bread! The store bought just ran out- we are all craving the homemade stuff!!!

UPDAED- It's fixed, it's fixed.... That was me doing the happy dance!!!!

I'll get the  new menu up soon- I'm doing something fun.

Menu May 9-15

The oven could not be repaired- a part needed to be ordered.  It's kind of like the mother board for running the oven.  So, I have to get real creative with the meals for another 10 days- yes 10 days.  I want to be very careful about using what we have on hand, it would be very easy to slip into buying a bunch of microwavable convenience food- We are already buying bread and cookies that we normally would not by purchasing.  We are really missing the homemade bread, biscuits, cookies and treats, cornbread, popovers etc.  I'm going to do a little "surfing" to see if I can find either a skillet or crock pot cornbread recipe {I've heard you can make a cake in a crock pot also.}

I also should break out the crock pot, learning some new recipes for that also- I'm using this an oppo
The range top is operational, we are the breaker off most of the time-  I will use it as neccesary. 


Mon, May 9-
b: toast/cereal
l: U-pick
s: Boxed chicken helper

Tues, May 10-
b: toast/cereal
l: mac n cheese
s: taco night

Wed, May 11-
b: Pancakes
l:  l/o's and frzn taquitos
s: Puffy Pizza Casserole {crock pot} *

Thurs, May 12-
b: waffled french toast
l: boxed pasta helper
s: stove top green bean casserole** and polish sausage

Fri, May 13-
b: toast/cereal
l: l/o casserole, u-pick
s: bacon & cheese sandwiches/soup

Sat, May 14-
b:  eggs and toast
l:   Yet to come
s:  Yet to come

Sun, May 15-
b: Yet to come
l:   Yet to come
s:  Yet to come

*Turned out nice, next time I'm going to make the dough a little firmer, for sure one less egg.

**We turned the breaker on to use the range top.  Stove top green bean casserole is one can green beans, one can cream of chicken soup, 1/4 can milk, 1 tablespoon chopped pimiento, a sprinkling of grated parmesan, a few french fried onions.  Warm on low heat to prevent scorching.  

Menu, What Menu?

I guess it's a good think I didn't get to the menu, last weekend.  Because on Tuesday morning, my {electric} oven went kapput!  By the end of the day, we decided to turn the breaker off to the whole range unit, rendering the stove top unusable also.  Fortunately, my kitchen is well stocked with electrical appliances such as a skillet and griddle. I have an electric deep fryer, but it's more like an electric pot and a microwave.  Cooking was a bit like camping, minus the cold air and tight quarters and it was hard to think up meals ahead, but it was fun.  I did have to buy store bought bread.  The repairman is scheduled for Saturday, I'm planning a "the oven is repaired celebration" meal of  homemade Pizza!

I discovered that my electrical appliances actually cooked the foods much faster than the electric range top.

UPDATED Sat evening: I knew as soon as I hit "publish" that I probably shouldn't have.... The repairman came and the repairman went... He could not do the repair today, he thinks that it is a wire on the backside of it- We've rescheduled for Monday, two guys have to come as it's a built in....
 
Mon, May 2-
b: l/o pancakes
l: Variety of l/o
s: Chicken Alfredo {this was actually a stove top casserole, I had precooked the chicken; the pasta alfredo was a box mix}

Tues, May 3-
b:  Toast/cereal {was going to be homemade biscuits}
l:   Eggs/bacon Sandwiches {since it didn't happen at brkft
s:  Swedish meatballs/mashed potatoes/gravy {stove top wasn't turned off yet}

Wed, May 4-
b: Pancakes
l:  L/o's; microwavable stuff, sandwich
s: Grilled {Weaver's Lebanon Bologna} and Cheese

Thurs, May 5-
b: Cornmeal pancakes
l:  Sandwiches
s:  Beef and bean Nachos

Fri, May 6-
b:  l/o pancakes
l:  Children's choices
s: Corn dogs/mac and cheese

Sat, May 7-
b: eggs/bacon/toast
l:  l/o mac & cheese
s:  Celebratory Pizza!!!!

Sun, May 8-
b: Eggs and Biscuits
l:  ????
s: ?????

Menu Plan April 25- May 1

I cannot believe that it's the last week of April already! This month just flew by.   Last week I made up some from scratch items, My Sweet Hickory BBQ Sauce, home made Maple Flavoured Syrup and a large batch of biscuits for the freezer {thanks to Paula, for this tip: homemade uncooked biscuit dough freezes, then bakes up really well! Just cut biscuits into shape, place on a lined tray so that biscuits don't touch one another, when froze, gather them up, store in freezer zipper bags; to use simply bake according to the recipe you use}

This week's menu features a lot of comfort food- for all the sickos here. 
Mon, April 25-
b:  l/o brkft casserole
l:  Children's choice
s:  Creamy potato casserole

Tues, April 26-
b: toast/cereal
l:  l/o; sandwich
s: Lasagna

Wed, April 27-
b:  Pancakes
l:   l/o; sandwich
s:  Panko coated chicken tenders w/green bean casserole

Thurs, April 28-
b:  Maple oat scones
l:   l/o; sandwich
s:  Burrito casserole

Fri, April 29-
b:  Eggs & biscuits
l:   l/o; sandwich
s:  Polish saus. w/ lightly seasoned pasta        

Sat, April 30-
b:  Waffles
l:   l/o; sandwich
s:  Chicken sandwiches

Sun, May 1-
b:  Eggs, hash browns
l:  ??
s:  Meatballs/gravy/rice

Menu Plan April 18-24

We are eating from the pantry this week. Just keeping things frugal.  Lunch will be leftovers {if we have any} or sandwiches and soup.

Mon, April 18-
b: toast/cereal
s: frozen fish sticks/boxed mash potatoes

Tues, April 19-
b: egg/cheese English muffins
s:  Buttered pasta w/sliced Polish sausage

Wed, April 20-
b: toast/cereal
s:  Chicken, stuffing and gravy {casserole}

Thurs, April 21-
b: Biscuits/eggs
s:  Beans {mexican seasoned} and cornbread

Fri, {Good Friday} April 22-
b:  Pancakes
s:  Spaghetti

Sat, April 23-
b:  Eggs/sausages
s:  Shepherd's pie

Easter Sun, April 24-
b: Brunch with family
s:  Green bean casserole

Menu Plan, April 11-17

I've been slack for some time now, in some areas in the food preparations.  I've come to rely on some convenience ready made foods such as bread. I have however discovered that there are some ready made frzn foods that I like to have on hand, realizing that the time saved is valuable also. I try to purchase those items with coupons and on sale, this mixes things up a bit, meaning that I'm not buying the same items over and over.

Mon, Apr 11-
b:  Popovers/cheese
l:   PB or tuna wrap sandwich or wrap
s:  snuggly dogs

Tues, Apr 12-
b:  Pancakes
l:   corn dog bites/mac & cheese
s:  Pasta Bake {pasta, sauce, meat, cheese}

Wed, Apr 13-
b:  toast/cereal
l:  L/o and or sandwich/soup
s: Meatballs/gravy/rice {crock pot for frzn meatballs/gravy, make rice earlier in day}

Thurs, Apr 14-
b:  Egg/cheese english mufins
l:   Sandwich/soup
s:  Bean and cheese quesadillas

Fri, Apr 15-
b:  toast/cereal
l:  Sandwich/soup
s:  Homemade pizza

Sat, Apr 16- Happy Birthday to our boys! {C's picks; K's picks}
b: Pancakes; eggs, link sausages
l:  L/o pizza; polish sausage/bun
s: Chicken nuggets/fries;clam chowder
dessert:  They both pick cookie dough brownies; the recipe is in the Amish Cook at Home.  We had the priviledge of being a tester for this recipe before the book was printed. Oh, yum!  I'll check with editor about sharing the recipe here.

Sun, Apr 17-
b:  toast/cereal
l:   L/o
s:  Ham. helper potato stroganoff

Menu Plan, April 4- 10

Here the skeleton menu for this week, the holes will be filled as we go along... It's tough getting back into the swing of the routine after a break.

Mon, April 4-
b:  Pancakes
l:   hot dogs/fries
s:  Buffalo chicken/cheesy hashbrown bake

Tues, April 5-
b: Breakfast Sand.
l:  Mexican seasoned beans/taquitos/mini tacos
s:  Spaghetti

Wed, April 6-
b:  Hot or cold cereal
l:  Cold sandwiches/bean w/bacon soup
s: L/o's

Thurs, April 7-
b:  Waffles
l:   Hot dogs
s:  Barley Risotto w/polish saus. {new recipe, I'll share soon}

Fri, April 8-
b:  toast/cereal
l:  Raid the freezer!
s: Frzn pizza

Sat, April 9-
b:  Maple oat scones/scrambled eggs
l:  l/o pizza
s: Beef stew w/mashed potatoes

Sun, April 10-
b:  toast and cereal
l:   grilled sandwiches/soup
s:  Mex. flavoured Ham. helper/frzn mini tacos/taquitos