Does anyone make a monthly menu? Do you stick to it? Does it work? I'm getting tired of dh always asking "What's for dinner?" So today I made a calendar for the month of April and put something on every day for dinner (he's never home for lunch and I've got daycare menus for that anyway--weekends we'll do leftovers or something simple for lunches). I'm going to give it to dh tonight and tell him if you don't want what's on there change it. I shop on Saturday's for the following week. This will also make shopping easier. I do have a couple nights on there for pizza (either take and bake or order out) and leftovers (like Easter dinner--ham--there WILL be leftovers). I'm hoping this will simplify our lives a bit. I also put on the calendar appointments and activities we have planned. I already know about a few meetings I have and there's karate every Monday and Wednesday night (those are simple nights--like hot dogs or spaghetti). What am I forgetting??? Anyone that does this, let me know what you think. Does this sound like a plan? TIA

By Tunnia on Friday, March 26, 2004 - 06:06 pm:

I make two-week menus. I don't like grocery shopping so I only go every two weeks. I have found that when I make the menu (I post it on the fridge) not only do I spend less at the store because I am buying only what I need, but also I know what types of meals I can make with what's in the house.

Every day I look on my menu and choose what I feel like making that night. I include three or four meals that are quick and easy for those nights when I don't feel like cooking and I always try to include a couple of meals with recipes I have never tried before. I also include one night out on the menu. I figure that after cooking two weeks I deserve a break and my dh can take us out to dinner! LOL I also let my children choose one meal each for the menu. They come up with some interesting meal ideas sometimes, but they love the fact that they get to help choose what we eat for dinner too.

BTW, I've done it this way for nearly 10 years now.

By Cat on Friday, March 26, 2004 - 06:37 pm:

Well I showed the menu to dh and he said "You mean I have to live with a menu now?" lol But he did go over it and change a few meals. I also told him we're not stuck to a particular night (except those nights with meetings or something) but we can change things within a week. So we'll see how it goes. Then he asked what's for dinner tonight and I said "I don't know, this menu doesn't start until Sunday." rofl Maybe tonight will be pizza (It's $5 pizza day at Safeway) Thanx for the input, Tunnia.

By Vicki on Friday, March 26, 2004 - 08:06 pm:

I used to do this and really, I have no idea why I stopped. I think you will like it. It is so nice to not think every day..what am I going to make tonight. I made it a family thing. We all sat down with the calander and rotated picking what we would have. That way, everyone got their favorites!! During that same time, if I made something like stuffed shells or a casserole, I always doubled it and froze one. I need to get back on this. Espically with summer coming. Thanks for making me remember how nice that was!!!

By Coopaveryben on Friday, March 26, 2004 - 09:18 pm:

I have never done an entire month, it sounds like a good idea. I tried the cooking one day a week thing and I liked it but just didn't stick it out for longer than a week, but that one week sure was nice.

Vicki, I need to start making double too. You're right with summer coming we are so busy that making dinner becomes and afterthought for me.

By Mommyathome on Friday, March 26, 2004 - 10:07 pm:

For those of you that freeze meals....what do you freeze them in? Do you bake it in the same dish that you freeze it in?

By Palmbchprincess on Saturday, March 27, 2004 - 04:39 am:

I love using a menu. I do mine for 2 weeks, and shop by it. I have all 3 meals, and it makes my whole day easier, not to mention shopping is cheaper. I freeze dishes in either Pyrex dishes or ziplock bags.

By Coopaveryben on Saturday, March 27, 2004 - 07:18 am:

I buy the inexpensive aluminum pans, if you use pyrex dishes you have to make sure it is thaw or it will break, or at least they did for me...not a pretty sight. I can just stick the aluminum in the oven.

By Texannie on Saturday, March 27, 2004 - 10:38 am:

I don't do monthly menus, but I do weekly and that's how I do my grocery list.
My dh always asks what's for dinner, but it doesn't bother me, think he just wants to know! LOL
Coop..if you put the pyrex dish into the oven cold and let it preheat along with the oven, it won't break.

By Dawnk777 on Saturday, March 27, 2004 - 02:46 pm:

I should do a menu and THEN go to the store. We always end up at the store without any idea of what we might want to eat and then you sure don't know what you should buy. Then I end up with the same old stuff because I have to go with the recipes I know by heart!

By Cat on Saturday, March 27, 2004 - 06:08 pm:

Thanx, everyone. I got everything on next week's menu this morning and forgot something for tonight! lol So we'll scrounge something up. It was kind of different, walking up and down the isles. Like I saw a can of Manwich and thought, *Oh, we could have that-but I'd need hamb*. Then I thought *Wait! It's not on next week's menu!* lol Guess we could have had it tonight! rofl This will probably take some getting used to, but I think it will work well in the long run.

By Yjja123 on Saturday, March 27, 2004 - 06:40 pm:

I do not do menus but I precook my meat on Sunday. For example I will grill a family pack of chicken breasts and put it in a rubbermaid container in the fridge.
It will be used throughout the week:
~chicken breast with veges
~chicken ceasar salad
~chicken stir fry
~shredded chicken bbq sandwiches
~chicken pineapple over pasta (my sons favorite)
~chicken ontop a pizza
~chicken fayitas etc.......
I will sometimes do a version with ground beef that I precook with peppers and onions.
It becomes
~tacos
~beef stroganof
~beef ziti
You get the point. I find having the meat ready I can put a meal quickly together.

By Marg on Saturday, March 27, 2004 - 06:54 pm:

Yvonne, may I have the recipe for chicken pineapple over pasta?

By Yjja123 on Saturday, March 27, 2004 - 07:38 pm:

This is the actual recipe. We serve it over pasta because my kids do not like rice. I also soak the chicken in pineapple juice the night before. It makes them super juicy and sweet tasting. Also because my chicken is already cooked I skip the first part of the directions.

Pineapple Ginger Chicken Stir-Fry

This stir-fry is spicy and piquant with the bold flavors of pineapple, ginger and molasses.
Estimated Times:
Preparation Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Servings: 4
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts cubed
2 tablespoons peanut oil
2 cups fresh pineapple chunks
3 tablespoons molasses
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
8 green onions cut into 2-inch pieces
1/4 cup minced crystallized ginger (note I use crushed wet ginger from a jar have never found crystallized)

Directions
Heat a large wok or skillet over high heat. Add oil and when hot add chicken and stir-fry until brown on all sides, about 6 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside. Add pineapple and molasses to wok and stir-fry until pineapple is brown and tender. Stir in the lime juice, red pepper flakes, green onions and chicken. Sauté until scallions are bright green and the chicken is fully cooked, about 15 minutes. Toss in ginger and serve over rice.

By Dawnk777 on Sunday, March 28, 2004 - 02:22 pm:

Yum! I'm going to have to make it sometime. Fortunately, everyone at my house likes rice.

By Coopaveryben on Sunday, March 28, 2004 - 02:32 pm:

I have a another great recipe for chicken, it sounds weird but my WHOLE family loves it...and that is saying something. My neighbor got the recipe from me and her WHOLE family (8 of them) love it. The best part is you can use whatever meat you have cooked and just leave it in the crock pot, come back when you are ready.

Easy Chow Mein

1 Pound Chicken, Ground Beef, Turkey, or Pork (I usually use chicken unless I have leftover Turkey)
1 medium onion chopped
2 cans chinese vegetables, drained
1 Bunch chopped celery
2 envelopes brown gravy mix
2 tablespoon soy sauce

Hot Cooked rice and chow mein noodles

In a skillet cook meat and onion over meduim heat until meat is no longer pink;drain. Transfer to a crock pot. Stir in celery, chinese vegetables, gravy mixes and soy sauce. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or until celery is tender, stirring occasionally. Serve on rice with chow mein noodles.

Yvonne, that is a great idea to cook the meat ahead, I have cooked a turkey and used it all week and it has been a lot easier but it just never occured to me to do it with the other meat. Thank you, I am going to try that recipe this week!

By Marg on Sunday, March 28, 2004 - 03:14 pm:

Thank you ladies, I will have to try both!

By xza4hah@altavista.com on Wednesday, July 19, 2006 - 05:28 pm:

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