That's right, we're only on day 3 of our meal plan and we're already off course! Haha! I am learning quickly that flexibility must be taken into account as we were offered some great tickets to the St. Louis Cardinal's game for this evening! (Thanks Mom and Dad!) I love Cardinal's baseball almost as much as I love cooking. :) AND it means I can get ballpark nachos...yumm!
Even beyond the baseball game tonight, I realized that even more thought needs to go into the types of meals and portions that each one makes. Most recipes can be easily scaled down to feed just Tom and me with little or no leftovers but the meals I made Monday and Tuesday both produced a ridiculous amount of leftovers that I'm just not sure what to do with! We're slowly making a dent by taking them to work for lunch but I worry that I may have overdone it a bit. Next time, I'll try to plan only one meal to have massive amounts of leftovers!
What does this all mean for my meal plan? Well, it means that the Sauerbraten is going to be pushed off a few days, which is actually a good thing! I won't go into too much detail right now (I'll add a post all about it once we eat it) but Sauerbraten is best when allowed to marinate for at least 3 days and mine has only been marinating since Monday evening. You can read a little more about Sauerbraten on wikipedia if you'd like to get your mouth watering for more to come later this week!
In the meantime, I'm just beginning to think about next week's menu...any suggestions???
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Meal Planning
Well hello again! I'm glad you came back for another visit (or your first!) because what we're talking about today is new to me and maybe it's new to you too! Some of my coworkers do it and swear by it so I'm willing to give it a try.
Meal planning is never something I have done well. When I make a trip to the grocery store, I typically have a small list, either on paper or in my head, and then just grab things that sound good and try to make meals out of them later in the week. What ends up happening is I thaw some meat from the freezer, then decide what to make with it while I'm at work, don't know if I have the right ingredients so I stop at the store on my way home and pick them up, then repeat the whole process the next day. Inevitably I end up at the grocery store 3-4 times each week, sometimes even more. I also tend to end up with more than I went in for each trip and my grocery bill really starts to add up. Does this sound like you?
Frankly, I'm tired of it (and I'm sure you are too!) so let's do something about it! I'm making myself a promise to try meal planning for at least one month. This means I'll pre-plan what we are going to eat for dinner each week, buy only what I need, and stick to it! I'm going to track it on a calendar (one week at a time) and try to get a variety of meals each month and then when I'm stumped later on, I can look back at past months and see what sounds good. Another goal in my meal planning: one trip to the grocery store per week. A second trip can be made if there's an absolute necessity but I'm hoping to get more time at home cooking and a lower grocery bill each week through this process!
So, what's on this week's menu?? I've even gotten a little creative...
Monday: Homemade Gourmet (HG) Tex Mex Skillet Meal (first time having this!)
Tuesday: HG Cheesy Tortilla Chicken Pasta (haven't had this in almost a year but it's amazing!)
Wednesday: Sauerbraten (first time making this German treat...surely there will be a post about it later this week so be sure to check back!)
Thursday: We're eating out!
Friday: We're eating leftovers!
I think this is a pretty easy way to start my first week of meal planning. Thursday was previously decided on so I'll stick with it. ;) Weekends are "anything goes" at our house. Never know if we'll stay in or go out on Saturdays and Sundays are usually family night at my mom's so I think I'll exclude those days from the plan for now.
Let's see how it goes...I'm hoping I have just discovered an answer to my grocery store grumbles. :)
Do you meal plan? If so, I'd love to hear from you!
Meal planning is never something I have done well. When I make a trip to the grocery store, I typically have a small list, either on paper or in my head, and then just grab things that sound good and try to make meals out of them later in the week. What ends up happening is I thaw some meat from the freezer, then decide what to make with it while I'm at work, don't know if I have the right ingredients so I stop at the store on my way home and pick them up, then repeat the whole process the next day. Inevitably I end up at the grocery store 3-4 times each week, sometimes even more. I also tend to end up with more than I went in for each trip and my grocery bill really starts to add up. Does this sound like you?
Frankly, I'm tired of it (and I'm sure you are too!) so let's do something about it! I'm making myself a promise to try meal planning for at least one month. This means I'll pre-plan what we are going to eat for dinner each week, buy only what I need, and stick to it! I'm going to track it on a calendar (one week at a time) and try to get a variety of meals each month and then when I'm stumped later on, I can look back at past months and see what sounds good. Another goal in my meal planning: one trip to the grocery store per week. A second trip can be made if there's an absolute necessity but I'm hoping to get more time at home cooking and a lower grocery bill each week through this process!
So, what's on this week's menu?? I've even gotten a little creative...
Monday: Homemade Gourmet (HG) Tex Mex Skillet Meal (first time having this!)
Tuesday: HG Cheesy Tortilla Chicken Pasta (haven't had this in almost a year but it's amazing!)
Wednesday: Sauerbraten (first time making this German treat...surely there will be a post about it later this week so be sure to check back!)
Thursday: We're eating out!
Friday: We're eating leftovers!
I think this is a pretty easy way to start my first week of meal planning. Thursday was previously decided on so I'll stick with it. ;) Weekends are "anything goes" at our house. Never know if we'll stay in or go out on Saturdays and Sundays are usually family night at my mom's so I think I'll exclude those days from the plan for now.
Let's see how it goes...I'm hoping I have just discovered an answer to my grocery store grumbles. :)
Do you meal plan? If so, I'd love to hear from you!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
"Ask Lauren"
Well folks, I've started getting requests for specific recipes and tips for making things so I have decided to turn it into a periodic "segment" (if you will) for the blog. Happy birthday "Ask Lauren!" This first go around comes from my friend, Natalie. (Thanks Nat!)
Natalie asks: I wanted to check and see if you had a good recipe for spinach artichoke dip or just artichoke dip?
I'm glad you asked, Natalie. ;) I actually do have a terrific recipe for spinach artichoke dip that comes from my husband's family. It has a bit of a kick so if that's not really your thing, use mild rotel tomatoes and omit the cayenne pepper. If you really like a kick, adjust the rotel heat and amount of cayenne pepper to fit your taste!
Spinach Artichoke Dip
1-10oz. box chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1-14oz. can artichokes, chopped
1-8oz. bar cream cheese, softened
1 cup real mayo
2 cups parmesan cheese plus a little extra to top dip
1-10oz. can rotel tomatoes
garlic powder, to taste (I use 2-3 shakes)
cayenne pepper, to taste (I use 2-3 shakes)
Mix all ingredients in a large bowl and transfer to an oven safe dish. Shake additional parmesan cheese over top. Bake in a 375 degree oven until bubbly and starting to brown on top, about 20-30 minutes. Serve with tortilla chips, triscuits or other crackers, or crusty bread. My favorite? Panera's Asiago Cheese Demi Loaf.....yumm!
This is a super easy dip that had ALWAYS been a crowd pleaser for me. I always get lots of compliments and questions about what's in it that makes it so different (that would be the rotel and cayenne pepper, by the way). Another fun trick to transform this delicious dip into poppable appetizers is to mix it up and then spoon it into mini phyllo shells and bake until bubbly and brown on top (turn oven down to 350 degrees if baking this way). Delicious!
Keep the questions coming! If I don't know the answer or don't have a recipe to meet your needs I will research and go to my "test kitchen" (ironically also my regular kitchen) and get one for you!
Natalie asks: I wanted to check and see if you had a good recipe for spinach artichoke dip or just artichoke dip?
I'm glad you asked, Natalie. ;) I actually do have a terrific recipe for spinach artichoke dip that comes from my husband's family. It has a bit of a kick so if that's not really your thing, use mild rotel tomatoes and omit the cayenne pepper. If you really like a kick, adjust the rotel heat and amount of cayenne pepper to fit your taste!
Spinach Artichoke Dip
1-10oz. box chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1-14oz. can artichokes, chopped
1-8oz. bar cream cheese, softened
1 cup real mayo
2 cups parmesan cheese plus a little extra to top dip
1-10oz. can rotel tomatoes
garlic powder, to taste (I use 2-3 shakes)
cayenne pepper, to taste (I use 2-3 shakes)
Mix all ingredients in a large bowl and transfer to an oven safe dish. Shake additional parmesan cheese over top. Bake in a 375 degree oven until bubbly and starting to brown on top, about 20-30 minutes. Serve with tortilla chips, triscuits or other crackers, or crusty bread. My favorite? Panera's Asiago Cheese Demi Loaf.....yumm!
This is a super easy dip that had ALWAYS been a crowd pleaser for me. I always get lots of compliments and questions about what's in it that makes it so different (that would be the rotel and cayenne pepper, by the way). Another fun trick to transform this delicious dip into poppable appetizers is to mix it up and then spoon it into mini phyllo shells and bake until bubbly and brown on top (turn oven down to 350 degrees if baking this way). Delicious!
Keep the questions coming! If I don't know the answer or don't have a recipe to meet your needs I will research and go to my "test kitchen" (ironically also my regular kitchen) and get one for you!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Great deals this week...
Finally got a chance to sit down with the grocery ads this afternoon in between the first day of school and working on the deck this evening. (way too much excitement around my house)
I think this week I'll run through each of the ads one by one.
Let's start with Dierbergs, shall we?
First off, Dierbergs is advertising a 15 hour sale for TOMORROW!! From 7am to 10pm they are running special deals on lots of stuff...some of my personal favorites: Johnsonville Brats (19.76 oz pkg.) for just $2.99, Fresh Express Iceberg Garden bagged lettuce for $0.98/bag, Ocean Market tilapia 16 oz. pkg. for $3.49, and lots of cheese and lunch meat at the deli at $3 off per pound! WOW!!! I'm debating getting there at 6:30, filling my cart, checking out at 7, running the groceries back home, then heading to work! Oh and don't miss out on Woodbridge Wines by Robert Mondavi for just $4.99 per bottle (limit 48 bottles...HA!)!! There's lots of other great stuff in the rest of the ad but I think this 15 hour sale is just about the best thing since sliced bread. :)
Schnucks doesn't have anything quite as exciting as the 15 hour sale but they do have boneless skinless chicken breasts (fresh or frozen) for $1.89/lb. this week! Time to stock up to get ready for slow cooker cooking this fall! (more on that in a later post) Also notable are General Mills cereals (think Cheerios, Trix, etc) for $2.50/box, 16 oz. pkgs. of Schnucks brand bacon for $2.99, and buy one get one free Fresh Express complete salads. One thing I thought was interesting is that they have California peaches advertised for $1.99/lb. in the ad but if you go to the store (I was there this afternoon) they have Eckert's peaches for $0.98/lb.! I stocked back up since we finally finished all the ones we got when we picked our own and am ready for some baking!
Rounding out the group is Shop 'n Save! Right away I noticed that they have to 16 oz. tubs of Prairie Farms sour cream on sale 10 for $10. Schnucks often does the 8oz. tubs at this price but I got a little excited to see the 16 oz. tubs for $1...who doesn't love sour cream?! Shop 'n Save shredded cheeses are also on sale for $1.38/bag, beef chuck roast is $1.97/lb., and they, too, have Fresh Express complete salads 2 for $4 (remember Schnucks has them BOGO with one being $3.99). And oooooo, lobster tails $3.99 each! Might have to serve up a little surf 'n turf dinner for my hubby early next week to thank him for all his hard work on our deck so far. :)
So there you have it folks...hope this helps you as you head out to the grocery store!
I think this week I'll run through each of the ads one by one.
Let's start with Dierbergs, shall we?
First off, Dierbergs is advertising a 15 hour sale for TOMORROW!! From 7am to 10pm they are running special deals on lots of stuff...some of my personal favorites: Johnsonville Brats (19.76 oz pkg.) for just $2.99, Fresh Express Iceberg Garden bagged lettuce for $0.98/bag, Ocean Market tilapia 16 oz. pkg. for $3.49, and lots of cheese and lunch meat at the deli at $3 off per pound! WOW!!! I'm debating getting there at 6:30, filling my cart, checking out at 7, running the groceries back home, then heading to work! Oh and don't miss out on Woodbridge Wines by Robert Mondavi for just $4.99 per bottle (limit 48 bottles...HA!)!! There's lots of other great stuff in the rest of the ad but I think this 15 hour sale is just about the best thing since sliced bread. :)
Schnucks doesn't have anything quite as exciting as the 15 hour sale but they do have boneless skinless chicken breasts (fresh or frozen) for $1.89/lb. this week! Time to stock up to get ready for slow cooker cooking this fall! (more on that in a later post) Also notable are General Mills cereals (think Cheerios, Trix, etc) for $2.50/box, 16 oz. pkgs. of Schnucks brand bacon for $2.99, and buy one get one free Fresh Express complete salads. One thing I thought was interesting is that they have California peaches advertised for $1.99/lb. in the ad but if you go to the store (I was there this afternoon) they have Eckert's peaches for $0.98/lb.! I stocked back up since we finally finished all the ones we got when we picked our own and am ready for some baking!
Rounding out the group is Shop 'n Save! Right away I noticed that they have to 16 oz. tubs of Prairie Farms sour cream on sale 10 for $10. Schnucks often does the 8oz. tubs at this price but I got a little excited to see the 16 oz. tubs for $1...who doesn't love sour cream?! Shop 'n Save shredded cheeses are also on sale for $1.38/bag, beef chuck roast is $1.97/lb., and they, too, have Fresh Express complete salads 2 for $4 (remember Schnucks has them BOGO with one being $3.99). And oooooo, lobster tails $3.99 each! Might have to serve up a little surf 'n turf dinner for my hubby early next week to thank him for all his hard work on our deck so far. :)
So there you have it folks...hope this helps you as you head out to the grocery store!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
I scream, you scream...
...we all scream for ICE CREAM CAKE!!!
I just had to share a super easy ice cream cake recipe with you. The general idea for this creation came from my dear friend, Katie. Everything Katie makes is delicious so I always get excited when she shares recipes with me! Her ice cream cake follows the same general idea as this one but I simplified one of the layers when I made it this time and it was faster, easier, and just as delicious! The fun thing about ice cream cake is that you can make it in any size pan (8x8, 9x9, 9x13...whatever) so ingredients don't really get definite amounts, just buy what you think you need for your particular pan size (plus a little extra...remember, leftovers are a good thing!) and go to town! Layers can be as thick or thin as you want them to be....and get creative with it! If your family really likes nuts, add a layer! If you like caramel, add a layer or substitute it for the fugde layer. The options really are endless. As long as you have something to make the crust, ice cream, and at least one more delicious layer, you have an ice cream cake! :)
Easy Ice Cream Cake
You will need: sandwich cookies, butter, vanilla ice cream (or any flavor you like), hot fudge ice cream topping, cool whip, and mini chocolate chips.
Crush any flavor sandwich cookies (I like generic oreos with the fudge centers the best) and press them into the bottom of the pan. You want enough cookie crumbs to make about a 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch crust. Melt 1/2 stick of butter (for 8x8 or 9x9 pan...whole stick for anything bigger) or margarine in the microwave and pour over the crumbs. Mix butter and crumbs and then press back into the pan. Put pan with crust in the freezer to set the first layer. Take vanilla ice cream out of the freezer to soften while crust freezes. Wait about 15 minutes. Remove crust from freezer, spread softened ice cream over crust and return to freezer. Wait 15 minutes. Remove from freezer and pour an entire jar of hot fudge ice cream topping (8x8 or 9x9 pan...more for a bigger pan) over ice cream and spead evenly. Return to freezer for about 15 minutes and allow cool whip to thaw on counter for these 15 minutes. Remove from freezer and top with cool whip and mini chocolate chips. Return to freezer until ready to serve.
Do you have a favorite ice cream treat? I'd love to hear from you if you do!
I just had to share a super easy ice cream cake recipe with you. The general idea for this creation came from my dear friend, Katie. Everything Katie makes is delicious so I always get excited when she shares recipes with me! Her ice cream cake follows the same general idea as this one but I simplified one of the layers when I made it this time and it was faster, easier, and just as delicious! The fun thing about ice cream cake is that you can make it in any size pan (8x8, 9x9, 9x13...whatever) so ingredients don't really get definite amounts, just buy what you think you need for your particular pan size (plus a little extra...remember, leftovers are a good thing!) and go to town! Layers can be as thick or thin as you want them to be....and get creative with it! If your family really likes nuts, add a layer! If you like caramel, add a layer or substitute it for the fugde layer. The options really are endless. As long as you have something to make the crust, ice cream, and at least one more delicious layer, you have an ice cream cake! :)
Easy Ice Cream Cake
You will need: sandwich cookies, butter, vanilla ice cream (or any flavor you like), hot fudge ice cream topping, cool whip, and mini chocolate chips.
Crush any flavor sandwich cookies (I like generic oreos with the fudge centers the best) and press them into the bottom of the pan. You want enough cookie crumbs to make about a 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch crust. Melt 1/2 stick of butter (for 8x8 or 9x9 pan...whole stick for anything bigger) or margarine in the microwave and pour over the crumbs. Mix butter and crumbs and then press back into the pan. Put pan with crust in the freezer to set the first layer. Take vanilla ice cream out of the freezer to soften while crust freezes. Wait about 15 minutes. Remove crust from freezer, spread softened ice cream over crust and return to freezer. Wait 15 minutes. Remove from freezer and pour an entire jar of hot fudge ice cream topping (8x8 or 9x9 pan...more for a bigger pan) over ice cream and spead evenly. Return to freezer for about 15 minutes and allow cool whip to thaw on counter for these 15 minutes. Remove from freezer and top with cool whip and mini chocolate chips. Return to freezer until ready to serve.
Do you have a favorite ice cream treat? I'd love to hear from you if you do!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Ultimate Happy Hour
Hello readers! I need your help. I am on the quest to discover the best place for happy hour in the St. Louis area and I need you to make suggestions! Some things to consider...
1. Location: the more centralized, the better.
2. Price: Cheap food and drinks are what happy hour is all about, right?
3. Time: Convenient timing is almost as important as price. If it's only available from 3pm-5pm it's probably not gonna work for most working folks.
4. Nightly availability: Weekdays only? Weekends included?
5. Menu options: The more options, both food and drink, the better. Is the food any good?
6. Seating availability: Small establishments often fill-up quickly, making it hard to get in. Inside? Outside? Bar area only?
Feel free to nominate your favorite place in this post's comments area directly below! If I pick your location as the winner, I'll give you a prize! (Not sure what that prize is yet...I'll make it something good.) Good luck!
1. Location: the more centralized, the better.
2. Price: Cheap food and drinks are what happy hour is all about, right?
3. Time: Convenient timing is almost as important as price. If it's only available from 3pm-5pm it's probably not gonna work for most working folks.
4. Nightly availability: Weekdays only? Weekends included?
5. Menu options: The more options, both food and drink, the better. Is the food any good?
6. Seating availability: Small establishments often fill-up quickly, making it hard to get in. Inside? Outside? Bar area only?
Feel free to nominate your favorite place in this post's comments area directly below! If I pick your location as the winner, I'll give you a prize! (Not sure what that prize is yet...I'll make it something good.) Good luck!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
My beefs with the grocery stores...
So the ads were supposed to come yesterday....I'm missing my Schnucks ad. *sigh* I'm also ticked that I had the pork steak yesterday. I got mine for $2.19/lb. at Schnucks yesterday and Dierbergs is advertising them for $1.59/lb. starting today. Time to stock up! However, Dierbergs is also advertising the end of "homegrown" season. What's that all about? Everybody knows we still have several weeks of delicious homegrown produce to look forward to.
Speaking of produce, I also noticed that Shop 'N Save is advertising peaches for $0.98/lb. I'd take a good look at them before you stock up. At that price, it really could go either way. They could be the best, freshest peaches you have ever had or they could be way over ripe and not that great. Haven't decided if I'm gonna risk it yet, though my friend Brit, StL baking examiner extraordinaire, posted a tempting new peach recipe yesterday that I'm dying to try.
Something else to note in the Shop 'N Save ad...they are having a "meat extravaganza" this week. I had to chuckle at this at first but then I noticed they have 3lb. bags of boneless skinless chicken breasts, huge packages of brats, and 2lb. packages of tilapia filets all advertised for $5. And that's just the beginning....I may be making a trip to Shop 'N Save afterall. AND if I brave the crowds on Thursday I can take advantage of their $10 off a $50 grocery purchase (check exclusions before you get too excited)....they call this "coupon Thursday" but then they say there is no coupon necessary. I'm confused. Maybe I'll bring the ad with me just in case.
One last grocery ad chuckle for the week: On the back of the Dierbergs ad I noticed this quote from Greg Dierberg, "Big, super juicy and super easy to peel...your kids are going to love these Minneolas. And the flavor-wow!-it's quite possibly one of the best oranges or tangerines I've ever tasted." Why was I chuckling? Well, first I thought it was funny that he couldn't seem to decide if it was more an orange or a tangerine so I figured I'd look it up real quick to learn more about this hybrid fruit. Apparently Mr. Dierberg needed to do a little research too since the Minneola is actually a cross between a grapefruit and a tangerine. Close, but not quite. Yes, a version of a Tangelo (cross between a grapefruit, tangerine, and an orange) but this is a very specific type that does not include the orange cross. Maybe I need to start a new feature on the blog: "Ask Lauren" and Gregory here can be my first client.
Meanwhile, I'll continue to wait patiently for my Schnucks ad. Maybe it will turn up in the mail today...
Speaking of produce, I also noticed that Shop 'N Save is advertising peaches for $0.98/lb. I'd take a good look at them before you stock up. At that price, it really could go either way. They could be the best, freshest peaches you have ever had or they could be way over ripe and not that great. Haven't decided if I'm gonna risk it yet, though my friend Brit, StL baking examiner extraordinaire, posted a tempting new peach recipe yesterday that I'm dying to try.
Something else to note in the Shop 'N Save ad...they are having a "meat extravaganza" this week. I had to chuckle at this at first but then I noticed they have 3lb. bags of boneless skinless chicken breasts, huge packages of brats, and 2lb. packages of tilapia filets all advertised for $5. And that's just the beginning....I may be making a trip to Shop 'N Save afterall. AND if I brave the crowds on Thursday I can take advantage of their $10 off a $50 grocery purchase (check exclusions before you get too excited)....they call this "coupon Thursday" but then they say there is no coupon necessary. I'm confused. Maybe I'll bring the ad with me just in case.
One last grocery ad chuckle for the week: On the back of the Dierbergs ad I noticed this quote from Greg Dierberg, "Big, super juicy and super easy to peel...your kids are going to love these Minneolas. And the flavor-wow!-it's quite possibly one of the best oranges or tangerines I've ever tasted." Why was I chuckling? Well, first I thought it was funny that he couldn't seem to decide if it was more an orange or a tangerine so I figured I'd look it up real quick to learn more about this hybrid fruit. Apparently Mr. Dierberg needed to do a little research too since the Minneola is actually a cross between a grapefruit and a tangerine. Close, but not quite. Yes, a version of a Tangelo (cross between a grapefruit, tangerine, and an orange) but this is a very specific type that does not include the orange cross. Maybe I need to start a new feature on the blog: "Ask Lauren" and Gregory here can be my first client.
Meanwhile, I'll continue to wait patiently for my Schnucks ad. Maybe it will turn up in the mail today...
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