Cheap & Cheerful Suppers for the First of March

Friday

• boxed macaroni and cheese (a freebie from a few weeks ago)
• canned green beans
• ambrosia salad, made from sliced bananas, canned pineapple chunks, mini marshmallows, and flaked coconut

Saturday
husband cooks

• rice and lentils
• sauteed canned tomatoes, with cheese
• carrot and celery sticks, with Ranch dressing

Sunday

• baked chicken breasts, in a sauce of onions, canned tomatoes, garlic, herbs, over
• linguine
• cole slaw

Monday

• beef stew, made with beef, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, herbs, potatoes, canned peas
• garlic toast

Tuesday

• hot dogs wrapped in scratch biscuit dough, with homemade honey mustard
• canned green beans
• canned corn
• cookies

Wednesday

my son's fiancee was over for dinner

• baked ham, with homemade cranberry mustard
• brown rice
• steamed carrots
• slaw with cabbage and celery
• garlic toast
• pumpkin pie

Thursday

• leftover ham
• leftover brown rice
• canned green beans
• blackberry-rhubarb sauce
• pumpkin pie

March, already! I am so anxious for spring, this year. It's been colder than usual in our area, so more soups, stews and other wintry meals. I baked a pumpkin pie this week, even. When I went out to the garden, yesterday, I could see the rhubarb poking through the soil. That prompted me to dream up some yummy rhubarb desserts. Just a few more weeks and that is a distinct possibility. All of those thoughts of rhubarb mean that I need to finish what is in the freezer. Rhubarb sauce will feature heavily for the next couple of weeks. Did I mention, I am so looking forward to spring.

What's been on your menu lately, and what foods are you dreaming about on these early days of March?

Have a wonderful weekend!

The Next Step in Planning to Keep Grocery Spending Within Budget

After making out my just-the-basics grocery list for March, along with a plan for sticking to it, I spent about 10 minutes brainstorming more of the details. In this brainstorm, I just listed a few suggestions for each category. Here are my categories for items to make ahead: breakfasts, casseroles, soups, treats, and breads.

And this is what I came up with in about 10 minutes.

brainstorming breakfasts that I can make ahead
muffins
**pancakes (double batch a couple of times in the month, for the freezer)
waffles
**boiled eggs
toast
granola
**trail mix (easier to make than granola, but it can have granola chunks in it, if I want to add grains)

brainstorming casseroles that I can make ahead
ham and pasta with creamy sauce and green veg (broccoli?)
**ham fried rice with carrots, onions, cabbage (do 2 for freezer)
ham and potato casserole
**ham, cheese and egg strata, with bread (do 2 for freezer)

brainstorming soups I can make ahead
**lentil soup, using ham bone
vegetable-noodle with either chicken or beef
**chili con carne

brainstorming treats that I can make ahead
magic bars
English toffee
**almond bark
brownies
cupcakes
**banana muffins
toffee schnecken
cookie dough for the freezer

homemade breads that I can keep in stock
**French bread
**whole wheat sandwich
**scones (dough for the freezer? or baked ahead?)
dinner rolls

Once I made my lists, I went through and double-starred two or three from each category. These starred items are the ones that I feel will be the most do-able for me, this month. From what I had planned, as was outlined in yesterday's post, combined with this more detailed plan, I now have some very concrete ideas to help me stick to a "basics" grocery list.

Avoiding Editing My Thoughts
Okay, so remember my rule yesterday, to include ideas that might not even work? That's all part of brainstorming. I probably will not make toast ahead of time.

I don't edit my thoughts while brainstorming; because if I did, the whole process would slow down and I might miss something valuable. Who knows, now that I've even thought about making toast ahead of time, I might also some day figure out a way to make that do-able and tasty.

Asking for Input
There's one last step to this planning -- asking for feedback. This is where you all get to tell me your suggestions!! My ears are open for suggestions in any of the areas of breakfasts, casseroles, soups, treats, and breads. If you were operating with a rather generic pantry, fridge and freezer, what would you add to my list? (It's usually my daughters who give me their input. Today I'm reaching out to you.)



*Wednesday afternoon I baked a ham; that's where the ham-theme in the casseroles and soup originated.