Hey everybody! I'm actually sitting down at my computer with a cup of coffee with thing 3 and thing 4 playing outside...and they're not fighting! Well, not yet anyway. Would you like six meals to plan for this week's dining pleasure? I knew you'd say yes.
_____________WARNING_____________
These meals may be good for your
appendix hole health!
From now on my meal planner is 80% vegetarian, in other words, don't yell at me for the lack of meat entrees! Our diets at the Izzo Household have changed drastically since Papa Izzo's
gall bladder attack. We eat meat one or twice a week, the rest of the time it's plant based proteins baby!
I'll try to make sure that the meals are kid tested and Papa Izzo approved before I post them. This may not mean a lot to you, but in reality I live with two of the pickiest eaters in America. We're talking texture issues, gross bug-food association issues and don't mix that with that issues. Serious stuff!
With that said, it's off to the races we GO!
Meal 1 Mini Deep-Dish Pizzas
INGREDIENTS
80¢ - medium russet potatoes
-
- $2.98 - 8 ounces 90%-lean ground beef
- 42¢ - 1 cup broccoli florets, finely chopped
- free - 1 cup water
- $1.50 - 1 cup shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese, divided
- 80¢ - 1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream
- Come on- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Seriously - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- 80¢ - 3 scallions, sliced
- Total: $7.30
INSTRUCTIONS
-
- Pierce potatoes all over with a fork. Place in the microwave and cook on Medium, turning once or twice, until the potatoes are soft, about 20 minutes. (Or use the “potato setting” on your microwave and cook according to the manufacturer’s directions.)
- Meanwhile, brown meat in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring often, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl. Increase heat to high, add broccoli and water to the pan, cover, and cook until tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Drain the broccoli; add to the meat.
- Carefully cut off the top third of the cooked potatoes; reserve the tops for another use. Scoop out the insides into a medium bowl. Place the potato shells in a small baking dish. Add 1/2 cup Cheddar, sour cream, salt and pepper to the potato insides and mash with a fork or potato masher. Add scallions and the potato mixture to the broccoli and meat; stir to combine.
- Evenly divide the potato mixture among the potato shells and top with the remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Microwave on High until the filling is hot and the cheese is melted, 2 to 4 minutes.
- Grand Total: $64.41 - $65.61
- Shopping List
Produce
1 Medium Onion 1 Onion - 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced (11/2 cups)
1 large sweet potato, cut into 1/2-inch cubes 2 beets, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch wedges, greens reserved and rinsed well 1 leek, white and pale-green parts only, halved lengthwise, cut 1/4 inch thick, and rinsed well 2 1/2 Cups broccoli - 1 1/2 cups chopped broccoli florets
- 1 cup broccoli florets, finely chopped
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives 1 lb. asparagus, cut into 11/2-inch pieces 2 medium red bell peppers, cut into thin strips 1 5-oz. pkg. baby spinach leaves Desired toppings, such as cooked vegetables, pineapple and ham, or pepperoni 4 medium russet potatoes 3 scallions, sliced
Baking
All Purpose Flour - All-purpose flour, for dusting
- All-purpose flour, for rolling
Beans, Grains & Rice
1 cup cooked quinoa (from 1/4 cup dry)
Bread & Bakery
1 11-ounce tube refrigerated French bread dough (like Pilsbury)
Canned Goods
2 24-oz. jars Franchesco Rinaldi Sweet and Tasty Tomato
Cheese
1/2 pound (8 ounces) fresh mozzarella, sliced into 1/4-inch slices 1 3/4 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese (about 5 ounces) 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella (4 ounces) 1 cup shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese, divided 1 5-oz. fresh goat cheese (like Chavrie)
Condiments & Sauces
1 4-oz. jar prepared pesto sauce
Dairy
6 Large Eggs - 4 large eggs
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg
1/2 Cup Sour Cream 3 Tablespoons Sour Cream - 3 tablespoons sour cream
- 1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream
2 pounds of prepared polenta or polenta grain 1/2 pound homemade or store-bought pizza dough (like Pilsbury)
Frozen Foods
1 17.3-oz. pkg. frozen puff pastry, thawed
Meat & Poultry
1 pound sweet Italian sausage (removed from casings) 8 ounces 90%-lean ground beef, (see Variation)
Oil & Vinegar
4 Tablespoons Olive Oil 1 Olive Oil - 4 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 Tbs. olive oil
2 1/2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon white-wine vinegar Vegetable oil, for brushing
Spices
4 cloves garlic, minced 1 Teaspoon Salt Salt - 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Coarse salt and ground pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/4 Teaspoon freshly ground pepper freshly ground pepper - Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
Kosher salt 1 Tbsp oregano 1/4 teaspoon thyme