Another week of simple meals. We had two dinners where time and energy were a factor in choosing the menu (Friday and Wednesday). Even in a time-crunch, something as simple as pancakes or scrambled eggs can make a tasty meal. Both of these meals require no advance preparation, but still get dinner for 4 on the table in 15 to 20 minutes.
When we have more time and energy, we can create more elaborate meals. I think that's part of my basic philosophy for frugal meal planning and prep -- when I can, I do more. When I can't, I don't sweat it. There is enough variety in the simple, scratch-prepared foods, like eggs, pancakes, and sandwiches, that I don't need to buy a lot of convenience foods or take-out.
Here's our week's menus:
Friday (I didn't feel well -- pancakes are easy to make)
pancakes and blackberry syrup
Saturday
rice and lentils
green salad
blackberries
Sunday -- cookout
hot dogs in homemade buns
homemade sauerkraut
tossed garden salad (lettuce, kale, tomatoes, cucumber)
spring rolls (brought by guests)
blackberry cobbler
s'mores
Monday
homemade cheese pizza
cole slaw ( 18 cent/lb cabbage and garden kale in homemade dressing)
fresh blackberries with honey
Tuesday
chicken salad over lettuce
crackers (bought by daughter)
Wednesday
scrambled eggs topped with salsa
toasted corn tortillas
steamed broccoli stems
leftover brown rice
Thursday
spaghetti in meat sauce (leftover pizza sauce from Monday with added ground beef)
garden green beans
marinated beets
blackberry cobbler
What was on your menu this past week?
What are your go-to, easy-to-fix, basic foods that you prepare when you don't have time or energy?
