April 2014 Week #4 Meal Plan

This weeks menu! 

I can't believe it is already the end of the month! 

2014 is going very fast. 

[R.e.c.i.p.e.s]

- Pasta with beef + vegetables

[C.o.m.i.n.g U.p]

- Loaded Baked Potato & Chicken Casserole

- Potato Salad

- Mushroom Pork Chops

- Lemon Garlic Roasted Chicken

April Week #3 Meal Plan

We're getting back into the swing of things this week after being away, and the Easter long weekend. 

Recipes Already on the Blog; 

~ One Pan Chicken Dinner

~ Homemade Pizza Crust 

~ Pulled Pork Sandwiches 

~ Homemade Buns (For Pulled Pork)

~ Taco Seasoning

~ Ham Glaze

~ Scallop Potatoes 

Lookout for; 

~ BBQ chicken pizza

~ Beef Nachos

April 2014 Meal Plan Week #2

This is going to be another busy week for us! 

We leave on Sunday the 13th of April for a two night trip to Toronto. 

Sounds fun doesn't it? 

Well it won't be. 

2 days of greyhounds, medical testings, and sending more time at the hospital than in the actual hotel. 

I have a million things to finalize before leaving, so I needed fast, healthy meals to make up for the three days of room service and restaurants that is coming up. 

Recipes; 

~ Baked Ham Glaze 

~ Homemade Scallop Potatoes 

~ Crockpot Soup / Crockpot Soup / Crockpot Soup 

~ Easy to make Pizza Dough 

Have a lovely week! 

April 2014 Week #1 Menu

This week I am trying to keep things simple. 

We have a lot going on this month. 

Medical appointments in and out of town, vet visits, and trying to find 3 rambunctious little puppies their forever homes.

I've got a lot of planning to do for our finances for our regular bills, and i have to add on a two night trip to Toronto with food, hotel, and travel. 

So, this month I am basing my meal plans more on what I have already in my fridge, freezer, and pantry and what is on sale in the ad flyers. 

Recipes already on the blog;

~ homemade pizza dough recipe

Wonton Soup

We had a hankering for chinese food this week but, did not want to spend a fortune on take out. It's nearing the end of the month, and very close to the end of our food budget. 

So, I figured I could make sweet and sour chicken, vegetable fried rice and wonton soup for a fraction of the price of delivery. 

~recipe for sweet and sour chicken & vegetable fried rice here~

Ingredients; 

Wontons

Ground Pork 

White Onion 

Portabello Mushrooms 

Carrots

Chicken Broth 

Soya Sauce 

Green Onions 

Steps;

First, get the filling ready for your wontons. In a food processor place your ground pork (I used about half a pound), half of a medium sized white onion cut into chunks, and salt and pepper to taste. Pulse mixture until it becomes a smooth paste. 

 

Take your wontons (I used small wontons for this) place a small amount of mix in the middle and wrap tightly. Use water as a paste on the sides of the wonton. Place to the side. 

*I made half of a package, about 25 filled wontons*

  

Next, in a large pot bring 2 cups of chicken broth, 3 cups of water, and 1 cup of soy sauce to a gentle boil. 

While waiting chop your vegetables. Slice carrots thinly, as well as mushrooms and shallots. 

Once broth is boiling add all vegetables and continue on a gentle boil for 5 minutes. Add wontons. Continue to boil for another 5 minutes stirring occasionally. 

Turn heat down to medium-low and cover. Let stand for 20 minutes before serving. 

Delicious!!

March 2014 Meal Plan Week 3

Recipes for the Week; 

~ Chinese Food (Fried Rice & Sweet and Sour chicken) *look out for homemade wonton soup recipe*

~ Pizza Dough Recipe

Look Out for; 

- Wonton Soup Recipe

- Pad Thai 

- Taco Salad 

Bread Maker Pizza Dough

This is seriously the best pizza dough recipe ever. 

Once we tried this one we haven't turned back. 

It is so simple, and so delicious. 

Even my 6 year old nephew complimented in when he was over once! 

Place all the ingredients in the drum of your bread maker recipe in the order shown; 

yield; 1 large or two medium pizzas

(I usually do one medium pizza and have enough dough left over for bread sticks!)

1 cup of water 

1 tbl butter or margarine 

1 tbl sugar 

1 tsp salt 

3 cups of white flour 

1 1/4 tsp of yeast 

Load the drum into the bread maker and select the dough/pasta setting and let it run. Mine takes 2 hours. 

When dough is finished, place on lightly floured surface and knead a few times. 

Roll out dough to desired shape and thickness.

I have made traditional round pizzas and also done large square pizzas. 

Top your pizzas with your desired toppings and place in a preheated, 425 degree oven. 

Bake for about 15 - 25 minutes depending on the shape and size of your pizzas. 

Hamburger Buns

These buns are perfect not just for hamburgers, but other meals that require buns as well. 

These buns are my go-to for grill season and I wanted to share them with you. 

Once you make these I guarantee you won't want to buy store bought buns again! 

Place the following ingredients into the drum of your bread maker in the order listed; 

 yield; 8 buns 

2 cups of flour 

2 tbl sugar 

1 tsp salt 

1 tbl oil 

1 egg

1/2 cup of water 

1 tsp yeast 

Place bread maker on the dough/pasta setting and wait for the dough to be finished. 

My bread maker takes 2 hours to complete this setting. 

Place dough on lightly floured surface. 

Divide and shape dough into 8 bun shapes. 

Place on a greased baking sheet, brush the tops with a little bit of oil. 

Cover and let rise for 30 minutes in a warm place. 

Brush tops with oil again if desired. 

Bake in preheated, 400 degree oven for 10 - 15 minutes until lightly browned.  

The best hamburger buns EVER! 
:)

Banana Oat Muffins

These muffins are great for busy mornings!

They are the perfect grab-and-go breakfast item!

 

Ingredients;

1 1/2 cups of flour

1 cup of oats

1/2 cup of sugar

2 teaspoons of baking powder

1 tsp of baking soda

1/2 teaspoon of salt

1 egg

3/4 cup of milk

1/4 cup of vegetable oil

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract 

1 cup of mashed banana

Steps for Success;

Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl ; flour, oats, sugar, powder, soda, and salt.

In a seperate bowl, beat egg lightly.

Stir in milk, oil, and vanilla extract.

Add mashed bananas and combine well.

Fold dry mixture into wet mixture completely.

Make sure to scrap the sides of the bowl while combining.

Pour evenly into lined cupcake tray.

Bake in preheated 400 degree oven for 18-20 minutes.

Makes 1 dozen.

 

February 2014 Week #4

Links;

Pasta Bake Recipe

Chicken Parm Recipe

 

 Lookout for; 

Recipe for homemade hamburger buns

February Week #3

This weeks menu is up lovelies! 

Recipes for this week that will be posted; 

 ~ Cream of Broccoli Soup 

~ Classic Chili 

~ Vegetable Quesadillas with Spicy Rice

Keep your eye out for them! :) 

 

Tomato Macaroni Soup

This recipe is one of my all time favorites. 

Mostly because of how versatile it really is. 

The tomato base of this soup is easy, inexpensive, and healthier than using a cream base. 

 

 

What you Need For The Base; 

- Can of Original Tomato Sauce 

- Carton of Broth (Chicken or Vegetable)

- Can of Crushed Tomatoes 

- Salt & Pepper to Taste

 

 

To make the base all you have to do is empty the pasta sauce into a large soup pot and slowly add the broth. Whisk until combined. 

 

Add Ins; 

- Elbow Pasta 

- Carrots 

- Celery 

- Zucchini 

- Potatoes 

- Spinach 

- Anything you have! 

 

If choosing to add pasta or vegetables, I recommend bringing the base mixture to a steady boil before adding your yummy extras. 

The finished product. 

I went with a very simple soup of the tomato base, elbow pasta and canned tomatoes.

Served with warm grilled cheese for dipping. 

Delicious. Easy. Quick. Frugal. 

 

Febraury Meal Plan ~ Week 2

Here's the menu plan for week 2!

There's some overlap from last week with the homemade pizza, but its one of our all time favorite meals and there are endless possibilities on how to make it! 

Monday - Tomato Macaroni Soup & Grilled Cheese - Recipe to be posted

Tuesday - No recipe 

Wednesday - Nachos with Spicy Chicken

http://frugalandthrifty4.blogspot.ca/2013/02/spicy-chicken-nachos.html

using homemade taco seasoning; 

http://frugalandthrifty4.blogspot.ca/2012/12/make-your-own-taco-seasoning.html

Thursday - Pulled Pork Sandwiches & Fries & Salad - Recipe to be Posted 

Friday - Ham, Scallops, & Vegetable 

http://frugalandthrifty4.blogspot.ca/2013/02/baked-ham-glaze.html

Saturday - Homemade Pizza & Garlic Bread

http://frugalandthrifty4.blogspot.ca/2012/11/pizza-garlic-sticks-at-home.html

Sunday - Leftovers

 

Banana Oat Muffins

 

Ingredients; 

1 1/2 cups of flour 

1 cup of oats 

1/2 cup of white sugar

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda 

~

1 egg

3/4 cup of milk 

1/3 cup of vegetable oil 

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup of mashed bananas

Combine flour, oats, sugar, powder, and soda together in a medium bowl. 

In a large bowl, lightly beat egg. Add milk, oil, and vanilla. Stir together. Add mashed bananas and combine well. 

Stir dry mixture into wet until it all comes together. 

Pour mixture evenly into lined muffin tin. 

Makes 1 dozen. 

Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. 

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

 

 

 

Ingredients;

- 2 cups of cooked white rice

- 1 chopped cooked chicken breast

- 5 slices of swiss cheese

- 4 slices of deli ham chopped

- 2 cans of cream of chicken soup

- 1/2 cups of sour cream

- 1/2 cup of milk

- 13 crushed soda crackers

- salt and pepper

- dried parsley

 

 

First, greas a large casserole dish.

Spread the cooked white rice evenly on the bottom of the dish.

Top with cooked chicken pieces.

Cover completely with swiss cheese.

Top with cut up ham pieces.

Wisk together soup, milk, and sour cream.

Pour topping on casserole and spread completely.

 

 Crush together crackers, salt and pepper to taste, and 2 tsp of dried parsely.

Sprinkley evenly over top of casserole.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 - 45 minutes.

 

Casserole Dinner.

Yum!!



Crockpot Manicotti

 

 

Easy, delicious, and hubby's new fav!

 

Ingredients;

- 2 cups of cottage cheese

- 1 can of tomato sauce

- Parmesan Cheese 1 tbl

- Grated Cheese 1/2 cup

- Manicotti Noodles

- Seasonings (salt and pepper, parsley, oregano) 1 tsp each

 

First, mix together cottage cheese, and all seasonings. Place in a ziploc baggie.

Next spread a generous amount of sauce on the bottom of the crock pot. Make sure it is completely covered so the pasta doesnt burn.

Next, cut a small hole in the corner of the bag an pipe filling into manicotti shells.

Line shells evenly along bottom of pot until out of space.

Layer with sauce.

Add more noodles until you either run out of noodles or filling.

Cover everything with sauce completely.

Make sure noodles are generously covered to prevent burning.

Spread grated cheese on top.

Cook on high for 2 hours or until noodles are soft.

Makes great leftovers the next day too!

 

After two hours in crock pot

Ready to be served

 

Brownies

I love brownies.

They are not only delicious, but easy and quick to make when you have a sweet tooth.

I make large quantities of the mix and keep in in a canister on my counter so when I have a sweet tooth, they are right there to whip up.

 

 

*I make half of this at a time*

*makes enough for 6 batches*

 

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.

Store in an airtight container.

 

To Make Brownies

combine above ingredients and pour into greased 8by8 pan

bake at 350 degrees for 35 - 40 minutes

until knife comes out clean



 

finished brownies.

perfect treat!!

Cornflake Chicken

 

 

A new chicken recipe was just what I needed to add to our monthly rotation.

This recipe is easy, quick, and doesn't require a lot of ingredients.

 

 

All You Need;

~ 1 chicken breast per person

~ 1 egg

~ 2 tablespoons of water

~ Olive Oil

~ Salt & Pepper to taste

~ Approximately 1 cup of Corn flakes

 

All You Need To Do;

In a shallow bowl, beat together egg and water.

In a seperate shallow bowl, place cornflakes.

Drizzle olive oil in bottom of baking dish to prevent sticking when cooking.

Rinse each piece of chicken under water and pat dry with a clean paper towel.

Salt and pepper the chicken to preference.

Dip chicken in egg mixture then dip the top of the chicken in the cornflakes.

Place chicken in baking dish with the cereal side up.

Place in preheated 400 degree oven and cook for about 4 minutes until chicken is cooked through and cereal is golden.