My Southern Food Meal Plan For a Cold Wintry Week
Monday – Homemade Turkey Chili served over corn chips, topped with grated cheddar (left-over makes a nice spaghetti sauce for a lunch portion the next day)
Tuesday – Pintos & Sausage served over brown or wild rice, accompanied with homemade cornbread (left-over makes a yummy burrito with some added cheese, and left-over cornbread can be made into dressing for Wednesday night)
Wednesday – Chicken & Dressing (NOT just for Sunday) and early peas (Make this fast and cheaper by using three frozen chicken breasts, left-over cornbread, left-over breakfast sausage of bacon, and a can of cream of chicken soup – store brand of course)
Thursday – Maple Syrup glazed ham, homemade mac n cheese, and baked beans (a small dinner sized ham isn’t too expensive, especially when the meats are on sale, Tues/Wed at most grocers) Any left-over ham can become a lunch sandwich, a quiche ingredient, or blended with left-over mac n cheese for lunch the next day.
Friday – Cheddar stuffed kielbasa, black beans, and yellow rice (served separately or blended and baked for a yummy casserole.
Saturday – Pork chops in a pot, baked sweet potatoes, and green beans with onion (left-over pork chops can be diced and stir-fried with bell-peppers and onion and served over rice, or served on a hoagie bun)
Sunday — Pot roast with potatoes, carrots, onion and celery (Left-over pot roast is wonderful diced and stir-fried with onions and provolone cheese for a sandwich. Left-over broth and veggies can become a great soup base for Sunday night)
Money saving tips:
1. Shopping mid-week and during the day can mean big bargains. The crowds are smaller, so stores are trying to get your business. Often they double coupons…even more if you are a senior. Buy meats on sale on the last ‘buy by’ date and freeze them.
2. Don’t just re-heat left-overs. Re-CREATE them, and turn them into a new entrée. Then they don’t seem like left-overs at all…but new dishes. Don’t be afraid of trying something…it’s just food, and it’s just left-overs – so be courageous! Almost any small meat portion can be added to bread crumbs, dried beans, egg, and spices and become a croquette or a patty. So venture into a creative art space – YOUR KITCHEN!
3. Make a list. Plan a little – save a lot! While shopping, cooking, and storing food – a list keeps you on track with spending and inventory.
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