This week I got a great buy on a pork tenderloin, cooked turkey breast, and chicken. If its close to the sell by date they reduce the price. In this case it was under three dollars for the pork tenderloin. When that happens I buy a few and stick them in the freezer. They thaw out overnight in the refrigerator and cook fast for a busy weeknight meal. The precooked turkey breast is a generous piece of meat that costs around $12 that I stretch over a week and a half to two week period. I keep my refrigerator cool enough so it doesn’t go bad. I like buying it when I need food fast due to a busy schedule. Most of my meals for weekdays generally take around 30 minutes to prepare, like the poor mans risotto. The chicken was a good buy that I cut in half and used for two nights.

SUNDAY
Brunch Quiche or frittata, fruit salad
Dinner Turkey salad lettuce cups, fruit

MONDAY
Breakfast Granola, orange or clementine
Lunch cheese sandwich, carrot sticks
Dinner asparagus soup, fruit

TUESDAY
Breakfast Granola, orange
Lunch peanut butter sandwich, fruit
Dinner poor mans risotto, fruit

WEDNESDAY
Breakfast granola, orange
Lunch turkey sandwich, fruit
Dinner roasted vegetables with pork tenderloin , fresh fruit

THURSDAY
Breakfast Breakfast sandwich, orange
Lunch asparagus soup, carrots
Dinner leftovers or chef salad,fruit

FRIDAY
Breakfast granola hot or cold, orange or clementine
Lunch turkey sandwich fruit
Dinner baked cod with roasted potatoes and asparagus

SATURDAY
Brunch Breakfast hash or poached eggs and toast, orange
Dinner grilled chicken, potato salad, grilled asparagus, fruit

SHOPPING LIST
Turkey breast, asparagus, pork tenderloin, chicken, potatoes, bread, cheese, fruit

You’ve heard of a hot dish your mother or grandmother might have made called poor mans chow mien. If not you can find the recipe on the web. This dish resembles risotto but without all the fuss. Thus the name poor mans risotto. Instead of stirring and adding warm chicken broth for what seems like hours I simply did this in one pot and it took 35-40 minutes to cook but very little stirring. I started with a 6 oz. packet of long grain and wild rice mix that I buy on sale usually around a dollar or so and store in the pantry. I cooked the rice with the flavor packet per the instructions with the lid on for 20 min. In the mean time I cut up the fresh asparagus (about 8-10 spears) into bite size pieces and cubed the cooked turkey breast (about 1-2 cups) also into bite size pieces. When the rice was finished I added a 10.5 oz can of cream of mushroom soup along with a third of a can of water. Because the rice was seasoned with the flavor packet I didn’t add any other seasoning to this dish. I mixed in the asparagus and turkey along with a half cup of shredded cheese. I had colby jack on hand and used that. You could use parmesan or cheddar or any cheese of your liking. I let the dish simmer on low for 10-15 min until it was warmed through and the asparagus were tender. Serve and enjoy.

This week I got a great buy on a sirloin steak for $5 It was delicious and big enough for two stir fry meals. I had lots of rice in my pantry and thought it was time to put it to good use. I also got the grill out and cut a chicken in half and roasted it in a spatchcock style. It really helps the even cooking. It has lots of flavor and enough leftovers for two more meals. Chicken salad and using left over chicken and rice for fried rice. The prep/cooking time on these meals left more time to be out in the garden. If you’ve noticed I’m still eating the cod. Trying to eat more fish in my diet. Also trying to do a meatless Monday and see how that works for me. My favorite dessert right now is a sliced banana sprinkled with granola and skim milk.

SUNDAY
Brunch Quiche, or Frittata, fruit salad
Dinner Spatchcock roasted or grilled chicken, roasted fresh asparagus, salad, fruit

MONDAY
Breakfast Granola, orange or clementine
Lunch cheese sandwich, carrot sticks
Dinner baked cod, roasted vegetables, fruit

TUESDAY
Breakfast Granola, orange
Lunch peanut butter sandwich, fruit
Dinner beef with pea pods, rice, fruit

WEDNESDAY
Breakfast granola, orange
Lunch salami sandwich, fruit
Dinner roasted chicken salad in lettuce cups, fresh fruit

THURSDAY
Breakfast Breakfast sandwich, orange
Lunch chef salad, carrots
Dinner chicken fried rice, fruit

FRIDAY
Breakfast granola hot or cold, orange or clementine
Lunch cheese sandwich fruit
Dinner pizza, salad

SATURDAY
Brunch Breakfast hash or poached eggs and toast, orange
Dinner beef asparagus mushroom stir fry, rice, fruit

SHOPPING LIST
Whole chicken,beef steak, pea pods, mushrooms,, lettuce, milk, eggs, bread, cheese, fruit

This is similar to other hash recipes on this blog but it starts with raw chicken cut into bite sized cubes. The secret is cooking at a high heat and cutting everything in the dish to approximately the same size. If you love peppers (green, red, hot) add them to this dish. It is a great brunch dish but also just as good at dinner. Who doesn’t like breakfast for dinner every once in a while. Sprinkle some hot sauce on the eggs before serving.

Chicken Hash
Prep Time 10 min
Cooking Time 35 min
Ingredients
1 boneless skinless chicken breast cut into bite size cubes
2 medium potatoes diced
1/2 medium onion diced
4 oz Fresh Mushrooms sliced
(add diced red, green, or hot pepper if desired)
2-4 eggs
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit
Dice the vegetables and cube the chicken and put in a roasting pan toss with a couple of tablespoons olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Spread so they lie flat in the pan.

Put roasting pan in oven set the timer for ten minutes. When timer goes off stir the hash. Set timer for another ten minutes. When timer goes off stir hash. At this time crack the eggs over the top of the hash. Salt and pepper. Return to oven for 3-5 minutes depending on how runny you like your yolk. Make sure the whites are cooked thoroughly and opaque. When eggs are finished to your liking remove and serve. Sprinkle on hot sauce to taste.

This week I found that I had an extra chicken breast left over from a pack of three. Rather than freeze it I’ve been wanting to have chicken hash. Sometimes breakfast for dinner makes for a relaxing meal. It’s similar to the other hash meals but I start with a raw chicken breast rather than cooked chicken. The secret is to cut the chicken into bite size cubes for faster cooking time. Also I found a great buy on pork tenderloin. I like to stock up on them when I do because they freeze well and cook in 30 minutes

SUNDAY
Brunch Scrambled eggs, toast, fruit salad
Dinner Chicken breasts roasted with mayo and Parmesan cheese, roasted vegetables

MONDAY
Breakfast Granola, orange or clementine
Lunch peanut butter sandwich, carrot sticks
Dinner white bean salad,leftover roasted vegetables with aioli, fruit

TUESDAY
Breakfast Granola, orange
Lunch salami sandwich, fruit
Dinner cauliflower soup, fruit

WEDNESDAY
Breakfast granola, orange
Lunch peanut butter sandwich, fruit
Dinner chicken hash, fresh fruit

THURSDAY
Breakfast breakfast sandwich, orange
Lunch cauliflower soup, carrots
Dinner baked cod with roasted potatoes, salad, fruit

FRIDAY
Breakfast granola hot or cold, orange or clementine
Lunch cheese sandwich fruit
Dinner pizza, salad (make a big bowl of popcorn and watch a movie)

SATURDAY
Brunch Breakfast hash or poached eggs and toast, orange
Dinner pork tenderloin, asparagus, salad fruit

SHOPPING LIST
Chicken breasts,pork tenderloin, asparagus, cauliflower, romaine, eggs, bread, cheese, fruit

This week I wanted to make a meatloaf, its been a while. As I said at week 26 our goal was to not repeat a weekly menu. I think we’ve done that but I don’t want to avoid eating things I enjoy. So three recipes from the past are on the menu. Meatloaf red beans and rice,(found a package in the pantry, its amazing how things seem to hide there. Take stock of what you have on hand.) and pizza. Actually these days I use the dough and sauce recipe but the toppings are always evolving. The quick tomato soup is a recipe I will post soon and you make it from inexpensive diced tomatoes and chicken broth. Also I hope you are making your own chicken broth from the bones of the whole roast chickens we have. The secret is to simmer the bones for 4-5 hours. Just add the pieces of onion celery and carrots you might toss. Then strain when done. So good. A can of tomato soup is inexpensive but contains a lot of sugar.

SUNDAY
Brunch Quiche, fruit salad
Dinner Meat loaf, roasted Brussels sprouts, baked potato

MONDAY
Breakfast Granola, orange or clementine
Lunch peanut butter sandwich, carrot sticks
Dinner quick tomato soup, grilled cheese, fruit

TUESDAY
Breakfast Granola, orange
Lunch meatloaf sandwich, fruit
Dinner baked cod,roasted vegetables, fruit

WEDNESDAY
Breakfast granola, orange
Lunch egg salad sandwich or tomato soup, fruit
Dinner red beans and rice, fresh fruit

THURSDAY
Breakfast Breakfast sandwich, orange
Lunch meatloaf sandwich, carrot sticks
Dinner chef salad or leftovers, fruit

FRIDAY
Breakfast granola hot or cold, orange or clementine
Lunch cheese sandwich fruit
Dinner pizza, salad (make a big bowl of popcorn and watch a movie)

SATURDAY
Brunch Breakfast hash or poached eggs and toast, orange
Dinner Roasted chicken, roasted vegetables, fruit

SHOPPING LIST
Grass fed beef or ground turkey, chicken, Brussels sprouts,diced tomatoes, eggs, bread, cheese, fruit

Every week I try to buy one thing that is a staple to my regular diet. This week it was more than one. Eggs were very cheap this week. $.59 cents a dozen so I bought two. With the extra eggs I made a quiche for dinner and put leftover cheese ends that I grated along with some herbs and onion. I also found some sausage in the freezer that I browned. I put it in the quiche but also used some as one of the toppings for pizza Friday night. I think the recipe for the pizza dough on this site is quick and easy. Also it’s fun to have friends and family over for a pizza night. Tell each person to bring one or two of their favorite toppings. I then set the table with a huge bowl of salad. As we sit down to eat the salad one or two make a pizza with their favorite toppings. The sauce is an inexpensive can of diced tomatoes that I purée with extra herbs and garlic. You’ll find that as the evening goes on everyone will make their special pizza and share it with the table. Just make the dough ahead of time or make a new batch depending on needs. It doesn’t take long. It will be a fun evening and you will find it cost less than a single pizza ordered in. I got a great buy on chicken breasts and farm raised pork chops which I included in the menu. I cook an extra chicken breast that I then use the meat to make chicken salad sandwiches.

SUNDAY
Brunch Quiche, fruit salad
Dinner Pork chops,fresh asparagus, salad

MONDAY
Breakfast Granola, orange or clementine
Lunch salami sandwich , carrot sticks
Dinner pasta salad, fruit

TUESDAY
Breakfast Granola, orange
Lunch peanut butter sandwich, fruit
Dinner baked chicken breast stuffed with asparagus , fruit

WEDNESDAY
Breakfast granola, orange
Lunch chicken salad, fruit
Dinner quiche , fresh fruit

THURSDAY
Breakfast Breakfast sandwich, orange
Lunch egg salad sandwich, carrots
Dinner leftovers or chef salad,(use ham and fresh vegetables on hand) fruit

FRIDAY
Breakfast granola hot or cold, orange or clementine
Lunch cheese sandwich fruit
Dinner pizza, salad (make a big bowl of popcorn and watch a movie)

SATURDAY
Brunch Breakfast hash or poached eggs and toast, orange
Dinner baked cod w roasted vegetables, fruit

SHOPPING LIST pork chops, chicken breasts, romaine, Roma tomatoes, eggs, bread, cheese, fruit

This week I saw fresh spring vegetables and the asparagus were a good buy so I’m having them again. You have to eat them when they are at their best and so asparagus soup is back. If you bake a great crusty bread or have a very good baker near you support them and eat it with the soup. I have such a baker and he has taken it to another level by grinding his own flour. The bread is so good fresh and toasted so a loaf does not go to waste. Also I found a good deal on turkey kielbasa and had some sauerkraut left over. I combined them in a casserole for a quick and easy meal.

SUNDAY
Brunch Quiche, fruit salad
Dinner Roast chicken, asparagus, mashed potatoes

MONDAY
Breakfast Granola, orange or clementine
Lunch salami sandwich , carrot sticks
Dinner asparagus soup, fruit

TUESDAY
Breakfast Granola, orange
Lunch peanut butter sandwich, fruit
Dinner spaghetti with simple sauce, fruit

WEDNESDAY
Breakfast granola, orange
Lunch brat, fruit
Dinner roasted vegetables with chicken, fresh fruit

THURSDAY
Breakfast Breakfast sandwich, orange
Lunch asparagus soup, carrots
Dinner leftovers or soup and salad, fruit

FRIDAY
Breakfast granola hot or cold, orange or clementine
Lunch cheese sandwich fruit
Dinner baked cod with roasted tomatoes  and asparagus (make a big bowl of popcorn and watch a movie)

SATURDAY
Brunch Breakfast hash or poached eggs and toast, orange
Dinner turkey kielbasa w/ sauerkraut , fruit

SHOPPING LIST
Chicken, turkey kielbasa, eggs, bread, cheese, fruit, pantry fill ins,

This week was busy and I had to buy prepared food that I find acceptable to eat. A $5 rotisserie chicken for me goes a long way and by Saturday I found myself making a chicken soup with the carcass. I love soup and wanted another pot of chicken soup before the weather gets too warm to enjoy it. Salads for me are quick and I enjoy the freshness of them. Still have a little of the ham for sandwiches. Also I found a good buy on a package of cooked smoked brats that didn’t have too much sodium in them. They were great for a couple of meals including an old fashioned meal of brats, sauerkraut and mashed potatoes. I don’t eat sauerkraut very often because it does have a lot of salt but it does have a couple of good vitamins in it and I like the tang.

SUNDAY
Brunch Quiche, fruit
Dinner Rotisserie Chicken,fresh asparagus, salad

MONDAY
Breakfast Granola, orange or clementine
Lunch ham sandwich, carrot sticks
Dinner bean soup, brats, fruit

TUESDAY
Breakfast Granola, orange
Lunch peanut butter sandwich, fruit
Dinner chicken roasted vegetables, fruit

WEDNESDAY
Breakfast granola, orange
Lunch ham sandwich, fruit
Dinner brats with sauerkraut and mashed potatoes, fresh fruit

THURSDAY
Breakfast Breakfast sandwich, orange
Lunch bean soup, carrots
Dinner leftovers or chicken salad,fruit

FRIDAY
Breakfast granola hot or cold, orange or clementine
Lunch cheese sandwich fruit
Dinner baked cod with roasted potatoes and asparagus (make a big bowl of popcorn and watch a movie)

SATURDAY
Brunch Breakfast hash or poached eggs and toast, orange
Dinner chicken and rice soup, salad, fruit

SHOPPING LIST
Rotisserie chicken, brats,asparagus, romaine,potatoes,Roma tomatoes, bread, cheese, fruit

When I quit sugar ice cream was what I craved. The only thing I could find that would fill that void was to make my own. Good heavy whipping cream is sweet tasting when you don’t eat sugar so adding two tablespoons of local honey to a batch to me tastes better than any gourmet ice cream that costs $5-10 a pint. When I serve it to guests they are licking the bowl. I first started to make with only heavy cream. To me that was too fatty tasting. So I started to use a two to one ratio of heavy cream and half and half.

I bought an ice cream maker in which you freeze the mixing container overnight. After each use I now clean it dry it very well and cover it with a plastic bag and store it in the freezer all the time so it’s always ready to go. I found one for $39 at a big box store. It is an electric model. The only way to go. A single batch costs a little over $2 and takes less time to make than it does to drive to the grocery store and buy a pint of it.

Ice Cream
Prep Time 2-5 min
Time to Freeze a Batch 15-20 min
Ingredients
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 cup half and half
2 tbsp honey (add more if you want it sweeter)
2 tsp vanilla (add more if you want a strong vanilla flavor)

Mix ingredients in a 4-5 cup measuring cup and blend well. Pour into the ice cream maker and mix for 15-20 minutes. It will be a soft serve consistency at this point. I put it in a glass bowl with a tight-fitting lid and freeze for a couple of hours for a firmer ice cream if you can wait that long. Try adding many different flavors like cinnamon. Enjoy.