What I'm cooking this week, 5/2/11 - 5/6/11

I'm not exactly sure yet what I hope to accomplish with this blog, so thank you in advance as I continue testing the blogging waters!

Yesterday (Tuesday, May 3rd), I went to Homeland for groceries with all three kids in tow.  And, I survived, haha!  I made my list ahead of time, carefully selected items that I really 'needed' or would/could use around the house, and matched up as much as possible with my coupons.  I won't bore you with all the details, but when all was said and done, I saved $63 and some change off my total bill.  Woo hoo!!!  The main importance of this, is that two weeks ago, I would've probably bought close to these same items, without as much regard for the store specials, not to mention my lack of coupons.  I am so guilty of making impulsive trips to the store every month with the intention of grabbing only a few items, but come out with a $100 total, and hardly anything to show for it.  Hopefully, I'm working toward a different plan for my family.  I know there will be weeks ahead where those trips still come out of necessity, lack of time, or whatever the reason.  But, I'm here to tell you that I'm committed to trying - hopefully for the long haul!

I thought I might try to share a few of the meals I'm planning for this week.  My hope is that I can soon begin posting links to my recipes, because I love to cook and would love to share some of my favorite recipes.  I'm playing around with www.scribd.com website (a file sharing-type site), but I'm not completely comfortable with it yet.  Would anyone be interested in that if I added this to my blog?  Please let me know!  

I'm sorry to post this so late in the week, but this might give someone out there some inspiration for the remaining days this week, or even to help with planning in weeks to come!

• Monday, I had a late Junior League meeting so everyone ate different things.  It happens...
• Tuesday, Penne pasta with red meat sauce, small salad (see recipe below, it was yummy!)
• Wednesday, King Ranch Chicken Casserole.  See recipe here.  Yum!
• Thursday, probably leftovers
• Friday, sounds like a good night for hamburgers on the grill.  Good, easy, and cheap meal!

For weekends, I don't try to plan too much.  This Sunday is Mother's Day, so happy early Mother's Day to all the mommy's out there!  I hope it's a great and special day for you!  It also happens to be my husband's birthday, so I'll have to think of something to make to celebrate both occasions.  I think we'll probably do a 1:00 lunch, and right now, I think ham, a potato dish, baked beans and a great dessert might do the trick.  I'll post more as the week progresses!

Okay, I mentioned earlier that I would post the pasta sauce recipe from our dinner last night.  It's just a spaghetti-type red sauce, but it was especially good so I thought I would take mental notes as I was cooking, and would share.

Ingredients:

• 1-1 1/2 lbs. lean ground beef (or ground turkey would be good too)
• 1/2 white onion, chopped
• About 4 oz. sliced fresh mushrooms (half of one of the small containers from the produce section.  Hopefully, you know what I'm describing!  If not, just guesstimate!)
• 1 clove of minced garlic
• 2 heaping tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds (I love fennel seeds in Italian meals!)
• 1 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/8 teaspoon onion salt
• 1 large can tomato sauce (I'm sorry, I don't know the ounces.  Form your hands in a circle.  It's about that size!  28-30 oz. maybe?)
• About 1 cup prepared/jar marinara (like Ragu or Prego, etc)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Heat olive oil slightly and add chopped onions, garlic, and mushrooms.  Saute until it smells delicious and onions start to get translucent.  Add meat, and cook until browned.  Add your seasonings (fennel, Italian seasonings, and onion salt).  I personally don't drain the excess fat, I think it gives it some added flavor, but if you do, be careful not to dump the veggies down the drain!  Add the tomato sauce and marinara, and add additional salt and pepper to taste if needed.  Heat until slightly bubbly, then cover, and simmer for about 30 minutes or so until dinnertime.  In the meantime, boil your pasta water, add a little olive oil and some salt to the water.  Cook pasta until al dente (any pasta works).  Drain water, add a nice heaping scoop of butter to the pasta to prevent sticking.  Serve sauce atop pasta, and voila!  Make a small green salad and it makes for an easy, yummy, crowd pleasing family dinner!  Perfect for leftovers, or the next day's lunch if you pack your lunch for work.

Enjoy!

What does everyone else typically cook during the week?  I'd love to hear!!

Regan