Weekly Menu Retrospective #62

Welcome to my weekly roundup of the past week's eats. I prefer to report what we ate in the last week, rather than what we're planning to eat in the coming week. Why? The reason is pretty simple: although I usually have a general idea of what we're going to eat in the next week or so, life often unfolds a little differently than planned, and I adjust my menu plan on a near-daily basis to accommodate leftovers and other not-possible-to-plan-ahead circumstances. I find this is the easiest way to ensure that I minimize our family's food waste. I'm also willing to admit that I'm a rather spontaneous cook, given to preparing foods that strike me as the most appealing thing to eat right here and now!

If you'd like a whole book full of inexpensive, quick and kid-approved recipes, my book, Cheap Appétit : The Complete Guide to Feeding Your Family for Less Than $400 a Month (While Eating Better Than You Ever Thought Possible) IS NOW AVAILABLE on Amazon (Amazon.com, Amazon.ca and Amazon UK) and Barnes and Noble.  I've included page references to recipes that are in the book in my menu plans so you can locate them quickly. For more details about the book, go here.

Breakfasts: Granola (p.92), peanut butter toast, cornbread with jam, pumpkin oatmeal chocolate chip muffins (subbed pumpkin for bananas in this recipe, p. 96)

Lunches: sandwiches, leftovers, pizza

Dinners:

Monday: Chickpea and Barley Soup, Cornbread (p. 212)

Tuesday: Chicken Enchiladas (p. 127), green salad

Wednesday: Sausage on a bun with sauteed onions, Broccoli, Bacon and Cheddar Salad (p. 204)

Thursday: Pad Thai

Friday: Turkey Pinwheels (p. 111), sweet potato fries (using the same basic method as my Easy Oven Fries, p. 194)

Saturday: Bacon, Egg and Potato Hash (variation of Make-It-Your-Way Potato Hash, p.140)

Sunday: Barbecued chicken with lemon and herbs, Coconut Rice (p. 199), green salad, Rhubarb-Raspberry Crostata

In keeping with my local and organic challenge, I'd also like to note the local and/or organic items on this week's menu:

Organic: coconut oil, coconut milk, sunflower oil, , turbinado sugar (in coffee), brown sugar (in granola),  raisins (in granola), oranges, bananas

Local: apples, potatoes, carrots, pumpkin (in muffins), cucumbers (hothouse), milk, eggs, sour cream

Local AND organic: oats (in granola and muffins), milk (to make yogurt), rhubarb (grown by my neighbour!), popcorn, sesame seeds (used to top bread loaves)

For more great meal ideas, check out Menu Plan Monday at orgjunkie.com.