One Less Thing to Think About.

     Most of my mom friends are multitasking Superwomen who manage their household, care for their kids, husbands, maybe other family members, some work, some go to school, some leap tall buildings in a single bound, but the one thing most all of us women have in common is that we have to take time to figure out the answer to the inevitable question: "WHAT'S FOR DINNER?" 

I decided to try to be more organized and hopefully free up some time for myself and I came across a blog at www.whoneedsacape.com.  The blogger wrote a great blog entitled "40 meals in 4 hours".  I looked it up (see: http://whoneedsacape.com/2012/11/crockpot-freezer-cooking/).  I thought it was brilliant!!  Now, when it comes to cooking, I'm not a "follow-the-recipe-exactly" kind of gal.  I love to cook and I almost always alter recipes to accommodate the tastes of my family, BUT some of the recipes sounded really good.  I took the recipes listed on the blog and added my own that I know my family loves to compile a list of 30 meals for the month.  I will continue to add to my recipe collection and change up the menu monthly. 

     I did things a little different than the blogger only because I am also trying to save $$ and I am not the most organized individual.  So, here's what I did:

While at Costco one day, I found this wonderful recipe book for $13.99 (as of 1/4/2014 they still have them at the same price).  Different colors and styles are available.

It is tabbed, comes with plastic inserts for your existing recipes and has recipe cards and plastic covers for your new recipes, plus it has helpful tips on the inside of the front and back covers. 

It is a binder so you can add and change as you wish.

Next...

     After visiting the blog and deciding to commit to trying this whole "meals for the month" thing, I chose the meals I wanted and compiled my grocery list.  I used her "master shopping list" and altered it based on our taste preferences and what was on sale based on the grocery store sale ads for this week.  Here is the master shopping list:

I revised the list because I can't handle bone-in stuff.  Blech!!  So, I only use boneless meats which means I had to increase the amount of chicken breast since I don't buy the thighs or legs.  I also substituted Herdez salsa for Rotel since my hubby is particular when it comes to tomatoes.  Here's the revised list:

Here is the list of meals I chose:

and here is the shopping list I made based on the foods on sale at the different grocery stores:

Tip: this week Albertson's has boneless, skinless chicken breasts on sale for $1.67/lb, Fry's has beef roasts on sale for $2.99/lb (which isn't GREAT, but it was better than other places).

Yes, it was a MONSTER list and I went to five different stores (ended up being able to eliminate Safeway and Walmart because I found what I needed at other stores), but it saved me a good deal of money so it was worth it.  The breakdown was as follows:

Groceries: $363.71 ($300 went for food, spices, vegs, etc...for the dinners)
Saved:       $212.34 (Due to sales, not coupons.)

Each meal will feed 5 adults with some leftovers, which means based on 30 meals that equates to 10.00 per meal divided by 5 people = $2.00 per person per dinner.  That is much less than I would spend on last minute meals.  Although I prefer to make everything homemade, but I did opt to purchase frozen meatballs and ravioli from Costco. 

Here they are...

Here are some of the recipes I prepared.  Now, the blogger opted to cut up veggies first.  I did not.  I am crazy about contamination so I choose to clean, trim, and cut up all of the chicken according to the recipes first.  Then I clean and sterilized the counters and sink and cut up the veggies.  I made the sauces as I filled each recipe.  I made them separately so I could taste them and make sure they were good before adding veggies or chicken.  It is easier to pre-label the bags.  I dated them, added the crock pot cook time, and added what I would most likely serve it with.

*A couple of things:  I never use store bought chicken broth.  I think it is disgusting and has no taste.  I make my own using chicken or if I do not have time, I use Knorr's Caldo de Pollo, hot water (it dissolves better, onion powder and pepper to taste).  The taste is fantastic and I use if a lot!!!  Due to the fact that my husband hates onions, I use onion powder instead.  Some recipes were a little sour or bitter so I used 2 Splenda packets to sweeten them up. 

Crock Pot Garlic Pesto Chicken with Pasta in a Tomato Cream Sauce

I actually combined the "for the chicken" and the "for the sauce" ingredients (excluding the extra olive oil and flour - which can be done when I cook the meal for thickness if needed.)  I used Kroger's Herb and Garlic Marinade (which was 1/2 the price) and NO half & half cream.  I will do that when cooking if needed.  The sauce was very tasty.

Crock Pot Coconut Curry Chicken

This is my recipe.  I sampled a taste of this sauce at Costco one day and loved it.  I am NOT a coconut fan (but my husband is), and I love curry (and he hates it).  This is DELICIOUS and we both love it!!!!  This is the sauce from Costco - Maya Kaimal's Madras Curry.  At Costco it is larger though and I used the whole container and 5 chicken breasts.

Here is the recipe:

Creamy Pesto Chicken & Pasta

I used Classico's Traditional Basil Pesto Sauce.  Only a 2-3 tblspns are needed. I opt for the gluten-free corn pasta from Trader Joe's ($1.37 per 1 lb bag) because my son has an gluten allergy.

This is DELICIOUS!!!

Island Chicken

This is very citrusy and very fresh tasting! 

Crock Pot Chicken Tacos

I use Herdez medium salsa instead of pico de gallo and I do not add salt since there is plenty in the salsa.

Buffalo Chicken

This is the blogger's recipe and she recommended Pete's.  My husband likes buffalo stuff. (I'm not a fan.)  Pete's was verrrrrrrry hot, so I added honey and a some honey BBQ sauce to cool it down.  I would recommend using a mild buffalo sauce if you are not a fan of pretty hot stuff, or perhaps a spicy BBQ sauce.

Crock Pot Applesauce BBQ Chicken

 This is one of my new FAVORITES!!!!  The sauce was absolutely DELICIOUS!!!!  I bought regular applesauce, not specifically "chunky". 

Crock Pot Fajitas

I did not use cayenne, but used chili powder instead and onion powder instead of onions. I mix the peppers, sauce, and chicken all in the bag.

Crock Pot Balsamic Glazed Chicken Breasts

Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken

I used Kikkoman's Teriyaki sauce.

Those are some of the meals that I have prepared.  I look forward to not having to think each day about what to cook for dinner.  Today, I'll be prepping the beef and pork dinners.  I will post some of those recipes if anyone is interested.  PLEASE feel free to share your favorite recipes too.  There are never too many options!  Eat and be well. :)

Cyn's Brown Sugar BBQ Cilantro Chili

Technically Fall is here although in Arizona it's still in the 90's.  Today however it was cloudy and that gave me the feeling for comfort food.  What better comfort food than a delicious bowl of chili!  Here's my newly made recipe for Cyn's Brown Sugar BBQ Cilantro Chili. 

Now I have to say that I searched the Internet for a good recipe for "homemade" chili and every recipe took about 45 minutes and called for "cans" of beans.  Cans?  That's not homemade to me.  I even checked the Food Network site but theirs were canned too.  So, I was left to my own ideas and here's what I came up with:

Ingredients:

Red kidney beans               1 bag

Pinto Beans                        1 bag
White Northern Beans        1 bag
Brown Sugar                       2 cups
Chili Powder                       1 packet
Cumin                                 1 tblspn
Garlic                                  1 cloves crushed
Ground Beef                        2 lbs
Onion powder                      2 tblspns
Salt and pepper                    1 tblspn
Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ       1 cup
Tomato paste                       1 can
Cilantro                                1 bunch (1 cup chopped)
Shredded Cheddar Cheese   1 bag
Sour Cream - Optional

Instructions:
First, since the beans are dried you'll need to soak them.  A quick-soak is best.  To do this you'll need a large stock pot.  You'll need 8 cups of water per every 1 lb bag of beans.  I used 24 cups with 3- 1 lb bags. Bring the water to a rapid boil and boil the beans for 2 minutes at a rapid boil.  Then remove them from the heat and let them sit covered for 1 hour. 

After that, drain and rinse them with cold water.

Return the beans to the pot and add water so that the beans are completely covered - about 7 cups. Add spices as well. 

Let the beans cook on medium-high heat for 1 1/2 hours.  Meanwhile, rinse, pat-dry with a paper towel, and de-stem the cilantro. 

Chop it up and seal in either a baggie or sealed container and return to fridge until ready to use.

At this point, cook and lightly season the ground beef.  Drain all fat and oil from it.  And add it to the beans along with the cilantro, the brown sugar, tomato paste, chili packet, and the BBQ sauce.  Turn heat down to low and let simmer another 20 minutes.  

Check the consistency of the liquid.  If it's a little thin or runny, add about 1 tablespoon of flour or cornstarch to about 2 tablespoons of COLD water. 

Mix well, bring beans to a boil and add the flour and water to thicken the chili.  Turn heat back to low and cook about 5 more minutes, then turn heat off but leave pot on the burner.

 

 I cooked up some Jiffy Cornbread.  Feel free to serve with YOUR favorite addition (crackers, bread, etc.).

Fresh out of the oven...

It came out FANTASTIC!!  The beans were firm but tender, full of a sweet, tangy flavor. 

Serve up and garnish as you choose. I sprinkled the shredded cheddar cheese, added a dollop of sour cream, and finished it up with more cilantro (although the one below was for my husband and he didn't want the extra cilantro). 

I served mine with buttered cornbread.  It was EXACTLY what I was hoping for.  The whole family loved it and the best part is that I'll have left overs for tomorrow and I had enough to freeze and use another time.  Enjoy!!!

Full Recipe:

Red kidney beans 1 bag ( 1 lb)

Pinto Beans 1 bag
White Northern Beans 1 bag
Brown Sugar 2 cups
Chili Powder 1 packet
Cumin 1 tblspn
Garlic 1 cloves crushed
Ground Beef 2 lbs
Onion powder 2 tblspns
Salt and pepper 1 tblspn
Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ 1 cup
Tomato paste 1 can
Cilantro 1 bunch (1 cup chopped)
Shredded Cheddar Cheese 1 bag
Sour Cream - Optional

Instructions:
Beans:

Using a large stock pot- quick soak beans by adding 8 cups of hot water per bag of beans. Bring beans to a rapid boil and boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let soak for 1 hour.

Drain and rinse beans after the hour. Return to the stockpot and add the "spices" to the beans along with 6 1/2 - 7 cups of water. Place on medium to medium-high heat and cook for 1 1/2 - 2 hrs.

Meanwhile, rinse and de-stem the cilantro and chop it up. 1 bunch should equal 1 cup chopped. Put in baggie or sealed container and store in refrigerator until ready to use.

After 1 1/2 hours, cook ground beef. Taste a bean to make sure it's getting soft turn heat to med. Add tomato paste to beans. Then add in cooked ground beef and brown sugar. Cook 15 mins.

Add cilantro and finish cooking another 10 mins on low-med. heat.

If chili is too runny, add mixture of flour or cornstarch (about 2 tablespoons) with 3 tblspns cold water. Bring chili to a BOIL and add the mixture. Stir it in, then immediately lower the heat to low. This will thicken the chili.  Top with shredded cheddar cheese and serve with your favorite cornbread.

Three Easy Dishes...

Lately I've been inspired by Asian dishes. So I gathered some basic ingredients and was able to make three savory dishes for my family. I started with angel hair cabbage and mixed it with shredded carrots and bean sprouts. I then used the only meat I had available which was ground beef. I put the shredded mix in a bowl, sprinkled it with onion powder and a few drops of soy sauce. Then I cooked the ground beef in a pan and seasoned it with onion powder, garlic, celery salt, salt, pepper, and some cajun seasoning. I then took egg roll wrappers and placed them on a cutting board in a diamond shape. I had a bowl of warm water standing by, and had a cookie sheet which had already been sprayed with Pam.

Next, I horizontally placed some of the shredded mix and then added some of the ground beef, (chicken or pork sausage works well too). I then dip my fingers in the warm water and wet the corners of the egg roll wrapper.

Then I proceed to fold and roll the egg roll starting with the corner closest to me, then the sides, and finally rolling it to the last corner.

The end result is a neatly rolled egg roll with an envelope roll.

I always egg wash them. The egg wash not only gives them a nice shiny finish, it helps them to get golden. If you do not egg wash them, they will look white and floury, which looks uncooked even though they are fully cooked.

Bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees, then take them out, flip them over, egg wash the other side and back in the oven for another 5 minutes. Perfectly crispy.

I also use the same mixture and add a bit of mozzarella cheese. This time I use wonton wrappers. Same process except I don't roll them, rather I fold them in half and pinch the sides. Then I fry them. (I prefer to bake than fry but these fry up quickly and easily). Fry until golden brown, flip them and brown the other side and they are done.

These are super when dipped in soy sauce or sweet/sour sauce!!!

Lastly, I steamed a head of cabbage and peeled the leaves off. I used the same mixture but added rice and various other spices. I then removed the pre-steam cabbage leaves and filled them with the rice, beef, veggie mixture and rolled them for stuffed cabbage. I placed them in a glass baking dish sprayed with Pam and covered them with extra cabbage leaves. This helps them to steam without letting them burn. After baking for 20 minutes at 350 degrees, I took them out, covered them in a Vodka sauce and returned them to the oven for another 15 minutes. Delicious!!! And soooo easy!!! Three different delicious dishes from some very simple ingredients. The taste is clean, fresh, and for the most part...healthy. ;) Enjoy!