What We Eat.

I had some friends ask me for my go-to list of meal ideas. And since I finally typed it up instead of just trying to read my old, folded up, food covered handwritten menu list I thought I would seize the opportunity to get it out into the blogosphere for referring back to if I can't find the original. So with no further adieu:

Menu Ideas

Soups and Stews:

Beef Stew

Lentil Stew

Taco Soup

Potato Cheese Soup

Corn Chowder

Tomato Basil Soup

Broccoli Cheese Soup

Breakfast for Dinner:

Buttermilk Pancakes

Frittata

Coffee Cake

Sweet Rolls

Ebelskivers

French Toast

            Captain Crunch French Toast

            Cinnamon Bread French Toast

Biscuits and Gravy

Breakfast Quesadillas

Waffles

            Pumpkin Waffles

Other:

Baked BBQ Chicken

Mexican Chicken Casserole with Corn Tortillas

Fettuccini Alfredo

Vegetable and Cheese Fettuccini

French Dip Sandwiches

Grilled Cheese

Chicken Quesadillas

Stir Fry

Funeral Potatoes

Green Chile and Chicken Enchiladas

Chicken Pot Pie

Vegetable Lasagna

Pizza

Cream Dried Beef on Toast

Classic Fajitas

Crock Pot Chicken and Black Bean Fajitas

Homemade Mac-n-cheese

Pasta with Sautéed Vegetables

7 Layer Dip

Chicken Pasta Salad

Broccoli Cheese Quinoa Casserole

Crock Pot Brown Sugar Chicken on Rice

Hawaiian Haystacks

Tacos

Meatballs and Mashed Potatoes

Tuna Melts

Grill (Weather permitting)

            Hot Dogs

            Hamburgers

            Chicken

            Turkey Burgers

            Veggies

Cheese Tortellini (Costco)

Notes:

I put myself on a grocery budget of $100 a week plus $100 a month for Costco (including diapers/toiletries/cleaning supplies). Most of these items get made only when ingredients are in season or on sale. I also have staple items that I only buy at Costco. And most of these items are made from scratch. So let me know if you need or want recipes.

-Waffles/Pancakes are usually accompanied by homemade coconut or cinnamon buttermilk syrup

-We make smoothies about every other day as a side dish for our meals. I throw in spinach/kale/avocado and my kids/hubby are none the wiser ;)

-Another go-to side dish is green beans. I buy the big bag of organic ones at Costco and sauté them with garlic, salt and pepper.

-On “pizza” days. It usually is one from Costco as well, the Kirkland Signature brand. I add dried basil and other toppings if we have them on hand.

-In cold weather I try to make our own honey whole wheat bread to accompany soups/pasta since it is way cheaper…and my little sister gave me her recipe that is surprisingly easy.

Costco Staples:

Frozen Chicken

Green Beans

Milk

Carnation Instant Breakfast

Frozen Fruit

Seasonal Fruits

            Berries

            Watermelon

            Cuties

Tortilla Chips

Seasonings

Canned Chicken

I'm sure there are items I am forgetting. But this is the current list. I usually ask my hubs and kids what they want that week and fill in the rest with what I feel like cooking. We also have one eat-out meal a week. We either pick up Dad for lunch or go out one night for dinner. (It usually ends up being Chick-fil-a per the kiddos request)