In addition to crafting, sewing, and constant rearranging of home decor, I also LOVE to cook.  I also LOVE to organize.  Furthermore, I HATE wasting money.  These are the reasons that drove me to create pre-set menus before heading to the grocery store.

Price Range: $30-40 depending on what "pantry items" you have on hand and where you shop

Features:
-A grocery list detailing every item you need to make four dinners and one bread/breakfast item
-Individual recipes

Meals for a Week #1 

1.     Chicken Scallopine 

2.     Low-Fat Turkey Chili 

3.     Weeknight Enchiladas with Black Beans and Yellow Rice 

4.     Baked Chicken with Potato Bundles 

5.     Basic Blueberry Muffins 

Pantry Items (check that they are in the house):

• Flour
• Olive oil
• Salt and Pepper
• Oregano
• Linguine pasta
• Lemon juice
• Butter
• Ground cumin
• Minced garlic
• Parmesan cheese
• Aluminum foil
• Italian bread crumbs
• Capers
• Vegetable oil

Grocery Items:

• Meats:
• 2 lbs ground turkey (buy two separate packages or seperate)
• 2 lbs chicken breast
• Produce:
• 1 bunch fresh cilantro
• 3 small onion (yellow or white)
• 1 package white mushrooms
• 1 bunch fresh parsley
• Celery
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 green pepper
• Russet potatoes
• One large carton/Two small cartons blueberries
• Canned Items:
• 1 (10 3/4 ounce) tomato soup, undiluted
• 1 (10 ounce) can mild enchilada sauce
• 1 can pinto beans
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 can corn
• 1 can black beans
• Dry Goods:
• 1 package saffron rice
• 1 packet mild chili mix
• Dairy:
• Sour cream
• 1 bag shredded cheddar cheese
• Small container heavy whipping cream
• Eggs
• Other:
• 1 package flour tortillas
• White wine

Chicken Scallopine

Ingredients:

• Linguine pasta
• 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Flour
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 tablespoons butter
• Capers
• 12 ounces white mushrooms sliced
• 1 cup white wine
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• Fresh parsley (optional)

Directions:

1. Cook linguine according to package instructions
2. Flatten chicken breasts to 1/4 inch and coat in flour
3. Add olive oil and butter to pan and brown chicken
4. Remove chicken from pan and add sliced mushrooms
5. Cook mushroom until slightly brown
6. Add lemon juice and white wine to pan and simmer for two minutes
7. Add cream, parsley, and capers and simmer for another two minutes
8. Serve chicken over pasta and pour sauce on top

Low-Fat Turkey Chili

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, thinly sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 lb. ground turkey
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup mild chili powder mix
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans, drained
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 (9 ounce) box frozen corn

Directions:

1. Using a large pot, combine oil, onion, red and green peppers, celery, and turkey and cook for two-three minutes or until turkey is no longer pink
2. Add garlic and cook for another minute
3. Add chili powder and cook for one minute, stirring continuously
4. Add tomatoes, bean, oregano, and salt and stir to combine
5. Bring chili to a boil
6. Reduce heat to low and simmer, partially covered, for 20 minutes
7. Add frozen corn and cook for ten minutes

Weeknight Enchiladas with Black Beans and Yellow Rice

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. ground turkey
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 (10 3/4 ounce) tomato soup, undiluted
• 1 (10 ounce) can mild enchilada sauce
• 8 flour tortillas
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• Sour cream (optional)
• 1 (5 ounce) package saffron rice
• 1 can black beans
• 3 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350*
2. Cook rice according to package instructions
3. Combine black beans with lime juice, chili powder, and cumin and heat in microwave or on stove until hot (add cilantro when hot if you would like)
4. Cook turkey and onion in non-stick skillet until turkey is no longer pink
5. Stir in tomato soup and enchilada sauce and heat for two minutes
6. Spray glass baking dish with non-stick spray
7. Place 1/4 cup of turkey mixture into each flour tortilla, roll up tortilla, and place in baking dish
8. Cover enchiladas with remaining turkey mixture and sprinkle with two cups cheddar cheese
9. Cover dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes
10. May serve with sour cream

Baked Chicken with Potato Bundles

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Italian breadcrumbs
• 6 Russet potatoes
• 1/2 yellow onion, diced
• 1 stick butter
• 1/4 cup heavy cream (or milk)
• Salt
• Paprika
• Pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (optional)
• Aluminum foil

Directions:

1. Preheat over to 400* and cover baking sheet with aluminum foil and coat with non-stick cooking spray
2. Place chicken in large ziplock bag and pound to 1/4 inch thickness
3. Coat chicken with breadcrumbs and place on baking sheet
4. Tear off small sheets of aluminum foil just large enough to accommodate the diced potatoes and onion
5. Dice potatoes into 1/2 inch squares and roughly chop onion
6. Place equal portions of potato and onion onto each square of aluminum foil
7. Put two pads of butter, a splash of heavy whipping cream, a dash of paprika, and salt and pepper to taste on each set of potatoes
8. Fold up the aluminum foil and create little “bundles”
9. Bake chicken for 25-35 minutes and juices run clear
10. Bake potatoes for 35-45 minutes (cooking time will vary depending on how soft you like your potatoes)

Basic Muffins

• 1 1/4 cup flour
• 1/4 cup oats
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 1/4 blueberries – OR – 1 cup chocolate chips
• 2 tblsp flaxseed (optional)

Directions: 

1. Preheat over to 400*
2. Mix together all dry ingredients
3. In separate bowl, combine milk, eggs, and vegetable oil and whisk for 5 minutes
4. Slowly add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients
5. Fold in blueberries
6. Bake for 18 minutes

This system has made my life so much easier and saves me time!  Additionally, I know I am going to use everything I buy.  Hope this helps all you busy moms and dads out there!!!

Blessings,

Jen