Since we make up our menu for a whole month (Middle of one month to the middle of another month), I thought it would be more expeditious to share our menu all at once, instead of weekly, which I am terrible about posting, anyway.

February

15th through the 21st
Sunday – Chili
Monday – Spaghetti
Tuesday -Potato bake with fried eggs
Wednesday – Nachos or burritos
Thursday – Cabbage soup
Friday – Home made pizza
Saturday – Krab bagels

22nd through the 28th
Sunday – Deer roast dinner
Monday – Spaghetti
Tuesday – Chili
Wednesday – Lasagna
Thursday – Home made pizza
Friday – Cabbage soup
Saturday – Leftovers

March

1st through the 7th
Sunday – Mashed potatoes with meat gravy
Monday – Chili
Tuesday – Spaghetti
Wednesday – Turkey quesadillas
Thursday – Nachos or burritos
Friday – Turkey soup
Saturday – Home made pizza

8th through the 14th
Sunday – Egg burritos
Monday – Leftovers
Tuesday – Chili
Wednesday – Cabbage Soup
Thursday – Pancakes
Friday – Enchiladas
Saturday (This is Pi Day!) – Turkey pot pie and several kinds of pie for dessert

Some of these meals may change or be swapped, if necessary.

Tags: Food, kitchen cares, Organization

This has been cooking in the oven of the brain for some time. They finally did it and here it is for all of us to enjoy!

If you would rather watch it on Blip, here’s the link: http://blip.tv/file/1774653

If you prefer You Tube, here’s the link, as well:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GKFnqXrsUU

Tags: Eric, Family, Joe, just fun, kitchen cares, video

We have a master list of foods we like.

We consider what meats we have and other items that we purchase from our co-op.

We pick 2 weeks’ worth of meals based on the last couple items.

We consider what activities are going on and pencil in the meals.

I have a free program in which I have inserted all the prices of all the items we buy and from which stores, as well as the size. I did this by keeping receipts and putting the data into the program. I still have to check prices, as they fluctuate.

We go through each meal and write down what we need to purchase and how many, taking inventory in the pantry and freezer at the same time.

We jot down the cost of most of the items and determine if it fits in the budget. At that point, we may do some adjusting. I budget $3 for each breakfast and $9 for each dinner. We usually eat ramen or leftovers for lunch, or someone makes bread sticks. Lunch is negligible.

On my grocery list, I jot down a letter to signify which store to purchase the items at. This also helps me make our trip more expeditious. I will write a C for Costco, W for Walmart, A for Albertson’s and a M for Mr. Thrifty’s, our dent and nick store. I try to hit that store first, as it may have several of the items I need at lower costs. It is hit and miss, though, so best to go there first.

My grocery list includes paper products, diapers, and cleaning products.

I do not use store ads, as we do not get the paper.

I try to shop for a four week period.

Tags: kitchen cares, Organization

If you have spent much time reading my blog, you will know that I do nothing with routine. Well, mostly. I don’t post my weekly menu on the same day each week, nor do I always post it, for example. It is like each post is a surprise! Don’t you think? What fun!

So, let’s not delay any further; here is this week’s menu:

• Sunday – Straugenoff with rolls (How do you spell straugenoff, anyway?)
• Monday – Chili with bread
• Tuesday -Lasagna and rolls
• Wednesday – Nachos (we make a large batch of chili and smash them for this meal
• Thursday – Roast dinner with carrots, mashed potatoes and rolls
• Friday – Burritos or enchiladas
• Saturday – Home Made Pizza

Have a great day as you serve your family!

Tags: kitchen cares, Organization

I wanted to share the recipe for the croissants that one of my daughters made for us yesterday. Aren’t they beautiful? They tasted even better than they look! The only problem with them is that there weren’t enough!

How to make croissants:

Step 1
1 1/3 cups cold butter
3 cups all-purpose flour

Cut butter into 1/2-inch slices. Mix with 3 cups flour in a bowl and chill while preparing Step 2.

Step 2
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 package yeast
1 1/4 cups milk
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg

Combine 1 1/2 cups flour and yeast in a large mixing bowl. Meanwhile, heat milk, sugar and salt in a pan on the stove till warm. Add to yeast-flour mixture along with the egg. Beat with an electric mixer for 30 seconds on low, then on high for 3 minutes.

Step 3
Stir in chilled butter-flour mixture. Flouring hands, knead dough very gently, punching about eight times. Using a floured rolling pin, roll out on a floured surface into a large rectangle (about 20 inches by 10 inches). Fold dough into thirds, wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 1/2 hours or overnight (or freeze for 30 minutes).

Step 4
Take dough out of refrigerator. Using a floured rolling pin again, roll dough out on a floured surface into a rectangle as described in Step 3. Fold, wrap, and chill dough again, this time for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Step 5
Remove dough from refrigerator and divide into fourths by cutting the dough. Return three portions to the fridge. On a floured surface and using a floured rolling pin, roll out dough into a circle. Cut like pizza then roll up slices into crescent shapes. When you cut it, you can either make 12 small ones out of the circle, or 8 large ones. Repeat rolling, cutting, and shaping with the other portions of croissant dough. Place on greased baking sheets, points down, curving ends. Cover and let rise till doubled (about 1 hour). Bake in a 375-degree oven for about 15 minutes.

If you get busy after you make the dough, the dough can remain chilled in the fridge for up to a week at any stage!

You can find this recipe, and more, at our family recipe blog. Click here.

Tags: kitchen cares, recipes