How to Prepare for Grocery Shopping…..

1.  Complete a basic inventory of meat/protein on hand.   I take a notebook and write down what is in my upright freezer.   This week we have:

1 pkg bacon
steak – 4 meals
Flounder – 1 meal
Rotisserie Chicken – 2
Country Ribs – 2 pks
Kielbasa – 1
Chicken Breasts – 2 bags
Pork Chops – 3 chops
Hamburger (raw) – 1#
Hamburger (cooked) – 1#
Country Style Ribs – 1
Whole Chicken – 1
Meatballs – 1

Fries – 2 bags

2.  Based on the meat on hand I plan my meals for the 2 weeks.  When planning my meals I look at my calendar for the next two weeks and see how my work schedule will effect my meals.   Some nights will require very quick meals and some will need to be prepared in the morning or hubby will need to cook since I will be working late. 

OUR MENU FOR 1/20 – 2/1/09

Mon – 19 – Breakfast:  French Toast, Eggs and Bacon 
Tues – 20 – hubby home- Sausage Lentil Soup – Carry over from last week
Sausage Lentil Soup

• 1 lb. smoked sausage, sliced
• 1 lb. (about 2 cups) dried lentils, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup ham, diced
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 small green pepper, chopped
• 1 medium carrot, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 Tsp thyme
• 1/4 Tsp pepper
• 1/4 Tsp cumin
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 cans (14.5 oz. each) beef broth
• 2 cans (14.5 oz. each) chicken broth
• 2 cups spinach, coarsely chopped

Combine all ingredients except for the spinach in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for about 6 hours or until lentils are tender. Add spinach and cover. Let stand 5-10 minutes or until spinach wilts. Remove and discard bay leaf.

Wed – 21 – working late- Spaghetti and Meatballs – garlic Toast 
Thurs-evening meeting 6-8 – Versatile Slow-Cooker Chili  – Freeze some leftover for Baked potato Bar Night
Friday – Family Night -mom in Duluth – Frozen Pizza
Saturday -24 –  Baked Ham – Easy Mac and Cheese (Family Favorites 121) – Green Beans
Sunday -25 – Garlic -Lemon Chicken  (Family Favorites 134) – Uncle Bens Rice – Carrots – Fench Silk Pie
Mon – MPTP – LEFTOVERS
Tues – Easy Chicken Parmesan over Angel Hair Pasta – Peas
Wednesday – Grilled Cheese and Soup
Thursday – Baked Potato Bar – Chilli/ Broc and Cheese
Friday – BBQ Pork Sandwiches / Fries  – Carry over from last week
Saturday 31 – Winterland Dinner and Dance at Church
Sunday – 1 – Rotisserie Chicken (crockpot) – Cheese Oven Fries (Family Favorites 164) – Gr. Beans

3.  Next I take the meat on hand and plan the meals I could make with each item.  This list was used to complete the menu in #2.   First I list the day I need meals and if I will cook or not.  Then I go back and add when we will eat. 

1 pkg bacon – Breakfast
steak – 4 meals
Flounder – 1 meal
Rotisserie Chicken – 2
Country Ribs – 2 pks – BBQ Pork Sandwiches
Kielbasa – 1 – Sausage Lentil Soup
Chicken Breasts – 2 bags 1. Garlic Lemon Chicken 2. Easy Chicken Parmesan
Pork Chops – 3 chops
Hamburger (raw) – 1#
Hamburger (cooked) – 1# – Chili
Country Style Ribs – 1
Whole Chicken – 1 -Rotis Chicken – Mac and Cheese
Meatballs – 1 – Spaghetti

Fries – 2 bags – Using 1

4.  My last step is to go through each recipe and figure out what ingredients I will need to purchase and add those items to my shopping list.

5.  Budget for Grocery Shopping – Cash -$150 + 50 Festival Gift Card = $200 for the week.  I try to make do with only 160.00 for the two weeks.  I will let you know how well I do!!  Wish me luck!! 

Next week:Make this for hubby………..

http://www.recipezaar.com/Banana-Cream-Pie-8143