What’s For Dinner? 11/3/2013

Every week I will share our meal plan for the coming week. Making your own food is a great way to save money, explore new cuisine, and eat healthy (if you choose to make healthy foods). A good meal helps bring people together and as you improve your cooking skills you will impress more and more people! I generally use recipes as a starting off point and then experiment with different proportions or ingredients. Leftovers make great lunches for the 9-5 crowd who might otherwise have to decide between a sandwich or a pricey cafeteria.

This Week For Dinner…

Cavatini with Apple Pie å la mode

This was the recipe I was thinking of last week. If you like pizza you’ll love this casserole because it is essentially pizza casserole.

3 c uncooked pasta (tri-color rotini or something with lots of surface area for sauce)

4 oz sliced mushrooms

4 oz sliced and quartered pepperoni (a stick/log not the pre-sliced stuff)

1/2 c black olives sliced

3/4 c sliced green pepper

1 med onion chopped

15 oz spagetti sauce

6 oz tomato paste

8 oz tomato sauce

1 c shredded cheese (any variety of your choosing)

Cook and drain the pasta. Add all other ingredients to the pasta and combine well. Throw into a casserole dish and cover with foil. Bake until bubbling @ 350 degrees ~ 20-30 min. Remove foil and top with 2 c shredded mozzarella. Return to oven and bake until cheese is melted.

Shae made a special Apple pie for me as dessert. I do love apple pie!

Tuna Salad

This basic noodle, tuna, mayo, and relish dish is a breeze to make. It can really hit the spot sometimes as well. If you find it too bland or boring it is easy to add spices or ingredients to kick it up a notch.

Sausage & Sauerkraut with Pierogis

Here is another uber simple recipe. Slice up 2-4 ropes of sausage and throw into a pan. Add a jar or bag of sauerkraut and heat up. If you’d like to make a more advanced version, then add bits of bacon, apples, and some brown sugar to the mixture. Serve the whole thing piping hot with your lederhosen on. Pierogis make a nice side dish. Steamed peas add some color and nutrition to round out the meal. What is your favorite homemade ethnic food?

Shrimp Po Boys with Tater Tots and steamed veggies

This is a new dish that we have never made before. I have not decided on a specific recipe to follow but there are several if you search the internet. This Louisiana staple is made or broken by quality bread. At least that is what I gathered from reading online sources. Hopefully our 79¢ manager’s special Hoagie Rolls pass the mustard.

Snack Food…

Crackers & Cheese, Cottage Cheese, Bananas

Bananas are 59¢/lb at our local grocery store. Cottage cheese is still a popular craving in the household. Bagels have also been making an appearance to hold over empty stomachs until mealtime.

Frugal Living

Indulging in life, financially responsible