Planning Meals Ahead

Once a month we go to a local farm shop to stock up on meat, this week so we didn't just end up buying random bits we have planned our meals (for two weeks in fact).

It is difficult planning around my husband as sometimes he is away till late and sometimes at short notice and when I am at work it is difficult to have the energy and inclination to make something so I have planned meals

So this week we have on the menu:

Monday - Sausage Casserole - this is a bung it all in the slow cooker dish super easy and cheap.

Tuesday - Stew -  this week I am trying beef cheeks instead of the usual skirt.

Wednesday - Meatloaf - i've not made this before so hoping it will go well.

Thursday - It's my daughters birthday so we are having people round for tea so I am doing a big Chilli.

Friday - Slow cooker Chinese pork (as I am at work) with enough for leftovers on Saturday tea of pulled pork.

Saturday - Leftover BBQ pulled pork

Sunday - Pot Roast again with leftovers for Monday tea.

The slow cooker is the perfect way to make dinners that use cheap cuts of meat with lots of flavour, as well as being easy for when you are working or even when your not. Giving you time to spend with the children instead of working away in the kitchen.

It also ensure wholesome warming meals that are often easy on the pocket.

This week I am linking up to Meal Planning Monday over on At Home with Mrs M

Meal Planning Monday

Back again for Meal Planning Monday with At Home with Mrs M, I am really getting into this idea and love that even if we don't have it in the exact order I know what we are having this coming week and what to get out of the freezer.

This week we have:

Monday - BBQ Slow Cooker Brisket again, soooo yummy and we have friends coming over so it means we'll have plenty!
Tuesday: Pork & Mushroom in a Creamy Sauce with Herb Potato Wedges
Wednesday: Chilli Con Carne
Thursday: Sausage & Mushroom Pasta
Friday: We have a Mutton joint in the freezer so I might do that either as a curry or slow roasted with Rosemary.
Saturday: We have got a party so maybe a buffet tea!
Sunday: We are at the in laws for tea, think/hope she's doing Lamb.

We have been making some Easter cupcakes this weekend and I will probably be making my favourite chocolate Easter cake at some point too. Also going to try a recipe from my newest recipe book, Apple Topped Loaf Cake, sounds divine.

Ooooh I do love Easter another time of overindulging on chocolate :)

Meal Planning Monday

We went to Gonalston Farm Shop on Saturday, so we are now fully stocked up on meat.

We got some bargains and although people tell me they can't afford meat from a butchers it is normally more expensive for some things and less for others so it works out about even.

On offer this week was brisket, beef mince, chicken and sausages. However I'm pretty sure we bought something of everything.

Sorry to any veggies reading this, but my husband is a proper carnivore!

Anyway I digress, onto Meal planning Monday hosted by At Home with Mrs M.

Monday - BBQ (sausages, beef bavette with home made teriyaki sauce, sweetcorn & potatoes)
Tuesday - BBQ style slow roasted Beef Brisket.
Wednesday - Rosemary & Herb Chicken & Potatoes
Thursday - Bacon & Mushroom Pasta Bake
Friday - I am at the Small Business Sunday organised by Theo Paphitis this day so not sure what we are having for tea. Maybe a chip shop tea?
Saturday -  Pork & Mushroom Stroganoff or Fajitas (depends what the tribe want)

I love to buy local and I love how tasty and varied the meat from our farm shops is, I will right a separate post on this maybe later in the week :)

Might have to include one of these as my Favourite Recipe Friday this week :)

Meal Planning Monday

 

Oooh am late today but I enjoyed it so much I thought I would do it again although the cupboards are looking a bit bare!

Anyway here we go:

Monday - Chicken & Mushroom Pie with leftover chicken from dinner yesterday
Tuesday - Spicy Root and Lentil Casserole providing we have lentils (pretty sure we do)
Wednesday - Stew
Thursday - Bacon & Egg Pie
Friday - Chicken Pasta Bake
Saturday - Ummmm maybe a take away or Marks & Spencer Meal Deal

I have some frozen summer fruits in the freezer so will probably do a crumble one night and will probably make some cupcakes too as I have some left over icing from yesterdays mothers day cupcakes.

I love baking and am a cakeoholic, I really must find something other than cupcakes though!

Meal Planning Monday

Today I am having a go at Meal Planning Monday, a fab idea from At Home with Mrs M.

I am just trying to use up what meat and veg we have in the house so we don't spend any money this week.

Monday - Beef Stew (already in the slow cooker)
Tuesday - Chicken and Mushroom Pie
Wednesday - Merguez Sausage with Pasta (in a sauce obviously)
Thursday - Whatever my mum feeds me as hubby isn't back till late!
Friday - Home-made Chicken Nuggets and Wedges
Saturday - Marmalade & Sage Pork with Sautéed Potatoes

Sunday - Mmm Mothers Day, not sure what we are doing yet!

Well that wasn't too bad in fact I think this might save me a lot of hassle with what I need to get out of the freezer every night ;)

It's a great idea and hopefully will get me thinking about what we are having in the week!

The recipe for the Marmalade & Sage Pork is as follows:

Ingredients: Serves 4
4 x 200g pork steaks
2 teaspoons olive/vegetable oil
salt & pepper
1 tablespoon whole sage leaves
3 heaped tablespoons of orange marmalade

Method:
Heat a frying pan over high heat. Brush pork with oil and sprinkle with the salt and pepper. Add the pork and sage to the pan and cook for a few minutes each side or until well browned. Add the marmalade to the pan and cook for a further 2-3 minutes or until cooked. We have with asparagus & green beans and spoon over the marmalade glaze.