Week 47 – Bonus Recipe!

Shopping List:

2 ripe avocados

Tortilla chips

Maple pancake syrup

Maple flavoring

8 chicken breasts

Can of condensed cream of celery soup

Can of condensed cream of cheddar cheese soup

Can of condensed cream of onion soup

2 6.5 oz cans of chopped clams

5 pears

Red onion

Jar of sun-dried tomatoes

Eggs

Spinach

Feta cheese

English muffins

[Also needed: salsa, lemon juice, salt, BBQ sauce, olive oil. Buy a 1 L of half-and-half this week]

 

Breakfast: Egg sandwich

Lunch: Chowder, guacamole, tortilla chips, and a pear

Dinner: Chicken, onions, and rice

 

Egg Sandwiches

Heat 2 tsp of olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add 2 cups of fresh stemmed spinach and cook until wilted. Rinse, drain, and chopped 4 sun-dried tomatoes. Stir in with spinach and heat through, about 2 minutes.

Beat 2 eggs with a dash of water. Stir eggs into the spinach and sun-dried tomatoes and add a pinch of garlic powder, 1/4 tsp of oregano, and a little fresh ground pepper. Using a spatula, stir the eggs until cooked through, about 4-5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the feta. Divide the eggs between two English muffins and eat hot.

 

Clam Chowder

Combine a can of cream of celery soup, a can of cream of cheddar cheese soup, a can of cream of onion soup, 1/4 cup of chopped red onion, and 3 cups of half-and-half cream. Cook over medium heat until heated through. Add 2 cans of drained chopped clams and heat through. Do not boil! The clams will lose their texture if it cooks for too long.

 

Maple Barbecued Chicken

Combine 3/4 cup of BBQ sauce, 3/4 cup of maple pancake syrup, 1/2 tsp of salt, and 1/2 tsp of maple flavoring in a bowl and mix well. Remove 3/4 cup to a small bowl for serving. Cover and refrigerate. Slice 1/2 a red onion into rings.

Grill chicken, uncovered, over medium heat for 3 minutes on each side. Add onion rings to the grill. Grillchicken 6-8 minutes longer, basting with remaining sauce and turning occasionally. Serve with reserved sauce and grilled onions.

 

Guacamole

Peel and chop 2 avocados. Place in a small bowl. Sprinkle with 1 Tbsp of lemon juice. Add 1/4 cup of salsa, 1/4 cup of chopped red onion, and 1/4 tsp of salt. Mash coarsely with a fork. Refrigerate until serving. Eat with tortilla chips.

Week 46

Shopping List:

Tube of refrigerated buttermilk biscuits

2-3 oz mozzarella cheese

Pizza sauce

12 cherry tomatoes

1 lb smoked turkey sausage (fully cooked)

2 green peppers

Onion

Rice

Envelope of Italian salad dressing mix

6 hoagie buns

12-16 oz of sliced luncheon meat (I got a variety of salami, ham, and turkey)

12 thin slices of cheese (I got a variety of Swiss, cheddar, and brick)

Bag of chips (Plain pairs the best as a side dish so it doesn’t overwhelm the main attraction of the meal)

Jar of pickles

5 figs

[Also needed: oregano, butter]

 

Lunch: Sandwich, chips, pickles, a fig, and mozzarella puffs

Dinner: Kabobs with rice

 

Hot Hoagies

Combine 3/4 cup of softened butter and an envelope of Italian salad dressing mix. Spread 1 Tbsp inside each of 6 hoagie buns. On bottom of each bun, layer one slice of meat, two slices of cheese, and another slice of meat. Replace tops. Spread 1 Tbsp of butter mixture over top of each bun.

Place on a baking sheet. Broil 6 inches from the heat for 2-3 minutes. Eat with chips and pickles.

 

Colorful Kabobs

Cut 1 lb of fully cooked smoked turkey sausage into 1/2 inch chunks. Cut 2 green peppers into 1 inch pieces. Cut an onion into wedges. Thread a cherry tomato onto six metal or soaked wooden skewers. Alternate the sausage, green pepper, and onion wedges on skewers, ending with another tomato.

Grill, uncovered, over medium-hot heat for 10-15 minutes. Remove meat and vegetables from skewers and serve over rice.

 

Mozzarella Puffs

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Take apart a refrigerated tube of buttermilk biscuits and make an indentation in the center of each biscuit. Sprinkle with 1 tsp of dried oregano. Cut a 2-3 oz block of mozzarella cheese into 10 cubes, 3/4 inch each. Place a cube in the center of each biscuit. Pinch dough tightly around cheese to seal.

Place seam side down on an ungreased baking sheet Spread 2 Tbsp of pizza sauce over tops. Bake 10-12 minutes.

 

Week 45 – Bonus Recipe!

Shopping List:

Club crackers

Slivered almonds

1 1/4 lbs of fish fillets [Orange roughy, haddock, trout, and walleye all work well for this recipe]

Paprika

2 chicken breasts

Can of whole kernel corn

Salsa

4 oz cheddar cheese

8 flour tortillas

5 apples

1 red chili pepper

Fresh basil

Fresh dill

Fresh parsley

Semisweet chocolate chips

[Also needed: butter, sugar, vanilla extract, seasoning salt, pepper]

 

Breakfast: Mini frittatas

Lunch: Chicken wrap, an apple, and nutty crackers

Dinner: Fish and rice

 

Corny Chicken Wraps

Cook 2 chicken breasts and cut into cubes. Combine chicken, a seeded and diced red chili pepper, a can of drained whole kernel corn, and 1 cup of salsa in a pot. Cook until heated through. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over 8 flour tortillas. Place about 1/2 cup of chicken mixture down the center of 8 warmed tortillas. Roll up and secure with toothpicks.

 

Fast-Baked Fish

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place 1 1/4 lbs of fish fillets in a greased baking dish. Sprinkle with 1 tsp of seasoned salt, pepper, and paprika, if you want. Drizzle with 3 Tbsp of melted butter. Cover and bake for 15-20 minutes.

 

Nutty Cracker Delights

Preheat oven to 350 Place 42 club crackers in a single layer in a foil-lined baking pan. Melt 1/2 cup of butter in a pot over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup of sugar. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat. Add 1 tsp of vanilla extract. Pour evenly over crackers. Sprinkle with 1 cup of slivered almonds.

Bake for 10-12 minutes. Immediately remove from the pan, cutting between crackers if necessary, and cool on wire racks. Store in an airtight container.

 

Mini Veggie Frittatas

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray 8 cups of a muffin tray with an oil mister or non-stick cooking spray. Whisk 4 eggs, 3/4 cup of egg whites, 1/2 cup of milk, 2 tsp of shredded fresh basil, 1 tsp of finely chopped fresh dill, 1 Tbsp of finely chopped fresh parsley, 1/2 cup of loosely packed shredded spinach, 1 tsp of smoked paprika, a dash of sea salt, and a dash of black pepper in a bowl until well combined. Mist a small frying pan with oil and set heat to medium. Lightly saute 1/2 cup of diced yellow onion and 3/4 cup of diced mixed bell peppers for about 2 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat.

Divide the vegetable mixed evenly between the 8 muffin cups, followed by the egg mixture. Bake for 15 minutes. Shred 1/2 cup of low-fat mozzarella cheese. Remove pan from the oven and sprinkle cheese on top of each mini quiche. Place pan back in oven and cook for another 10 minutes. Remove pan from the oven and allow it to cool slightly. Slide the blade of a knife around each quiche to loosen them. Then carefully lift out of pan. Eat warm. (You can divide recipe in half or quarters if you prefer to eat the frittatas fresh every time)

 

 

Week 40

Shopping List:

1 lb of uncooked medium shrimp (peeled and deveined preferably)

Pasta (Your choice)

1 1/2 lbs of turkey parts (breasts, legs, wings, whatever you want)

2 jars of apricot preserves (12 oz ea)

Envelope of onion soup mix

Rice

2 10-oz cans of diced tomatoes and chilies (you may have to buy tomatoes and green chilies separately if you can’t find together)

2 cans of whole kernel corn

Can of black beans

Cheddar cheese

Sour cream

5 peaches

Raisins

Eggs (Save 1 whole egg and 4 egg whites for next week)

Unsweetened applesauce (Save 1/2 cup for next week)

[Also needed: soy sauce, lemon juice, chili sauce, ginger root]

 

Breakfast: Eggs and applesauce

Lunch: Soup and a peach

Dinner: Turkey casserole or shrimp pasta

 

Fast Fiesta Soup

Combine 2 10 oz cans of diced tomatoes and chilies, a can of drained whole kernel corn, and a can of drained and rinsed black beans in a pot. Heat through. Garnish bowl with shredded cheddar cheese and a dollop of sour cream, if you want.

 

Apricot Turkey Casserole

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook rice according to package directions. Place in an ungreased baking dish. Place 1 1/2 lbs of turkey parts in a hot skillet with a bit of oil or butter. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and any other spices you like with poultry. Sear for 5 minutes on each side. Place on top of rice. Drain a can of whole kernel corn and pour on top of turkey. Combine 2 jars of apricot preserves and an envelope of onion soup mix. Pour on top of turkey and rice. Bake for 15-30 minutes or until turkey is fully cooked. (Time will vary depending on what kind of turkey pieces you chose. Breasts take longer than wings, for example)

 

Shrimp Pasta

Combine 3 Tbsp of soy sauce, 2 Tbsp of lemon juice, 1 Tbsp of chili sauce, and 1 Tbsp of minced ginger root in a bowl. Mix well. Pour half the mixture into a Ziplock and add 1 lb of uncooked, peeled, and deveined shrimp. Seal bag and turn to coat. Refrigerate for 2 hours. Cover and refrigerate remaining marinade.

Cook pasta according to package directions. Saute shrimp in a skillet until almost finished. Add remaining marinade and heat through. Pour on top of pasta and toss.

 

Week 37

Shopping List:

Cream cheese

Garlic powder

Pkg of frozen creamed spinach

Swiss cheese (enough for 2 cups diced)

2 unsliced loaves of Italian or French bread (1 lb each) – I prefer French

2 bags of Tortilla chips – 1 regular and 1 ranch-flavored

Can of chili with beans (40 oz)

Can of chopped green chilies (4 oz)

Can of sliced ripe olives (2 oz)

8 oz of cheddar cheese

Pkg of refrigerated breadstick dough

Hot dogs

5 peaches

Bag of potatoes

Large zucchini

Popsicle sticks (optional)

[Also needed: ketchup, mustard, ranch salad dressing]

 

Lunch: Dog in a sweater, spinach dip with bread and tortilla chips, and a peach

Dinner: Casserole and potatoes (I like to spoon the casserole right on top of a diced roasted potato)

 

Dogs in a Sweater

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Separate an 11 oz package of refrigerated breadstick dough. Roll each piece into a 15 inch rope. Insert Popsicle sticks into hot dogs lengthwise, if you want, for easier eating. Starting at one end, wrap dough in a spiral around hot dog. Pinch ends to seal.

Place 1 inch apart on a baking sheet that has been coated with non stick cooking spray. Bake for 18-20 minutes. Serve with ketchup, mustard, and/or ranch salad dressing for dipping.

 

Chili Casserole

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine a can of chili with beans, a can of chopped green chilies, a drained can of sliced ripe olives, 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, and 2 cups of crushed ranch-flavored tortilla chips in a bowl. Transfer to a greased baking dish. Bake, uncovered, for 30-35 minutes.

 

 

Creamy Swiss Spinach Dip

Beat a softened package of cream cheese and 1 tsp of garlic powder in a small glass mixing bowl until smooth. Stir in a thawed packaged of creamed spinach and 2 cups of diced Swiss cheese. Cover and microwave for 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Meanwhile, if you are serving this for company, cut a 4 inch circle in the center of one loaf of Italian or French bread. Remove bread, leaving 1 inch at the bottom of loaf. If you are not sharing this dish, or don’t care about presentation, skip this step. It looks awesome but if you don’t finish all the dip on the first day you make it, the bread dish gets soggy, gross, and inedible. I just dipped out of the bowl and it tastes the same.

I cubed one loaf of French bread and sliced another for variety. If you made the bread bowl, it will probably be easier if you cube the bread that came out of the middle. Then spoon the hot spinach dip into the shell, or don’t. Eat dip with bread cubes or slices or tortilla chips.

Week 34 – Bonus Recipe!

Shopping List:

Can of apricot halves

Orange juice concentrate

Pint lemon sherbet

4 chicken breasts

12 pepperoni slices

Mozzarella cheese

Can of pizza sauce

Fresh parsley

4 hamburger buns

Can of pineapple slices

Cheddar cheese

Mushrooms

Lemon

[Buy a half liter of milk this week. Also needed: peanut butter]

 

Breakfast: Muffin

Lunch: Sandwich and a glass of lemon water

Dinner: Chicken, rice, and sauteed mushrooms

Dessert: Apricot drink

 

Frothy Apricot Drink

(This recipe yields 4 cups of drink. Only make what you can drink so I would recommend quartering or halving the whole recipe)

Place a can of apricot halves with juice, 1/2 cup of milk, and 1/4 cup of orange juice concentrate in a blender. Cover and process until smooth. Add a pint of lemon sherbet. Cover and process just until combined. Pour into glasses and drink immediately.

 

Pizza Chicken Roll-Ups

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Flatten 4 chicken breasts to 1/4 inch thickness. Place 3 slices of pepperoni and 1 slice of mozzarella cheese on each. Roll up tightly. Secure with toothpicks. Place in a greased baking dish. Spoon pizza sauce over roll-ups.

Cover and bake for 35-40 minutes. Uncover and top with 4 more slices of mozzarella cheese. Bake 5-10 minutes longer. Sprinkle with minced fresh parsley.

 

Peanut Pineapple Bun

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place a hamburger bun, cut side up, on a baking sheet. Spread with peanut butter. Place a pineapple slice on the bottom half and a slice of cheddar cheese on the top. Bake for 5-7 minutes. Place cheese-topped buns over pineapple.

 

[Over the last couple months I had come $3-$7 under budget on each grocery trip. Instead of spending it on additional items, I put it away in a jar until I had enough to buy the ingredients for these delicious muffins! It costs about $30 total, but I had a lot of leftover ingredients to use for other things later.]

 

Healthy Carrot and Apple Muffins

Preheat oven to 375°F and line standard-sized muffin pan with muffin cups. In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 eggs, 1/2 cup of maple syrup, 1/2 cup of olive oil, 6 oz of yogurt, and 2 tsp of vanilla. Set aside. In a large bowl, stir together 1/2 cup of quick-cooking oats, 2 cups of whole wheat flour, 2 tsp of baking soda, 1/4 tsp of ground nutmeg, 1/2 tsp of ground cinnamon, 1 tsp of ground ginger, and 1/2 tsp of salt until thoroughly mixed. Pour wet ingredients into dry and mix until all ingredients are evenly moistened. Stir in 3 peeled and grated carrots, 2 peeled and grated apples, and 1/2 cup of dried fruit (I used raisins, cranberries, and cherries).

In a small bowl, use a pastry cutter or fork to press together 1 Tbsp of cold butter, 1 Tbsp of brown sugar, and 1 Tbsp of flour until crumbly. Add 2 Tbsp of oats, 2 Tbsp of sesame seeds, and 1 Tbsp of ground flaxseed, and press together until they form a uniform crumbly mixture.

Fill each muffin cup almost to the top with batter.  Sprinkle a spoonful of the topping over each muffin.  Bake for 20-22 minutes.

Week 26

Shopping List:

Cream cheese

4 oz of cheddar cheese

Broccoli florets

Bacon

3 boxes of crackers (one must be cheese flavored)

Envelope of taco seasoning

6 chicken breasts (about 2 lbs)

2 oz Monterey Jack cheese

Can of chopped green chilies

Pick two or three of your favorite veggies to eat raw

Pkg of mixed salad

Pkg of Spanish rice

Rhubarb

[Also needed: pepper]

 

Lunch: Crackers and broccoli-cheese ball, a little bit of rhubarb that I roasted for a couple minutes with honey (maple syrup or even just sugar would work too), and a few veggies

Dinner: Chicken, Spanish rice, salad, and veggies

 

Taco Chicken Rolls

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Finely crush 1 cup worth of cheese-flavored crackers. Combine the cracker crumbs with one envelope of taco seasoning in a shallow dish. Set aside. Flatten 6 chicken breasts between two sheets of waxed paper to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut Monterey Jack cheese into 6 sticks. Place a cheese stick and 1 Tbsp of chopped green chilies on each piece of chicken. Turk the ends of chicken in and roll up. Secure with a toothpick.

Coat chicken with crumb mixture. Place in a greased baking dish. Bake, uncovered, for 35-40 minutes. Remove toothpicks.

 

Bacon-Broccoli Cheese Ball

Beat a package of cream cheese, 1 cup of finely shredded cheddar cheese, and 1/2 tsp of pepper in a mixing bowl until blended. Stir in 1 cup of finely chopped broccoli florets. Shape into a ball. Cook 6 strips of bacon and crumble. Roll cheese ball in bacon. Cover and refrigerate. Remove ball from fridge 15 minutes before eating. Eat with crackers!

Week 22

Shopping List:

24 fresh jalepeno peppers

12 oz bulk pork sausage (this kind of sausage is not sold in links. It looks like ground beef. Italian sausage can also be used)

Bacon

Pkg of macaroni and cheese dinner (like Kraft Dinner)

Eggs

Jar of pizza sauce

40 slices of pepperoni (2 1/2 oz)

8 oz of mozzarella cheese

Wagon wheel or spiral pasta

Can of chili

Can of tomato sauce

Cheddar cheese

Okra

5 apples

Pkg of muffins

[Also needed: ketchup, chili powder]

 

Breakfast: Muffin and eggs

Lunch: Chili, jalapeno, and an apple

Dinner: Macaroni casserole and okra

 

Wagon Wheel Chili

Cook 2 cups of wagon wheel or spiral pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, combine a can of chili, a can of tomato sauce, 3 Tbsp of ketchup, and 1/2 tsp of chili powder. Mix well. Heat through. Drain and rinse pasta. Stir into chili. Garnish with shredded cheddar cheese.

 

Peppy Macaroni

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a package of macaroni and cheese dinner according to package directions. Fold in two lightly beaten eggs. Spread into a greased baking dish. Top with an 8 oz jar of pizza sauce, 40 slices of pepperoni, and 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese.

Bake, uncovered, for 30-35 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

 

Grilled Jalapenos

Put on rubber or plastic gloves. (Very important! Or else your hands will be stinging and burning for days!) Wash 24 fresh jalapeno peppers peppers and remove stems. Cut a slit along one side of each pepper. Remove seeds. Rinse and dry peppers. Over medium heat in a skillet, cook 12 oz of bulk pork sausage and drain. Stuff peppers with sausage and wrap with half a strip of bacon. Secure with a toothpick.

Grill peppers for about 15 minutes on an uncovered grill over medium heat, turning frequently.

Week 20

Shopping List:

Pkg of instant vanilla pudding mix

Whipped topping (like Cool Whip)

Graham crackers

Can of cream of chicken soup

4 oz of cheddar cheese

Pkg of frozen California-blend vegetables

Rice

150 g deli ham cut as a 1 cm thick steak

2 cans of tomato soup

Chili powder

Oyster crackers

Monterey Jack cheese

Leek

3 pomegranates

Natural cane sugar

[Buy a 1 L of milk this week. Also needed: miniature semisweet chocolate chips]

 

Lunch: Soup and 1/2 a pommegranate

Dinner: Ham and rice bake

Dessert: Ice cream sandwich!

 

Icebox Sandwiches

Mix a package of instant vanilla pudding mix and 2 cups of cold milk according to package directions and refrigerate until set. Fold in 2 cups of whipped topping and a cup of miniature semisweet chocolate chips.

Place 24 graham crackers square on a baking sheet. Top each with about 3 Tbsp of filling. Place another graham cracker on top. Freeze for 1 hour. Wrap individually in plastic wrap. Freeze. Eat frozen.

 

Ham and Rice Bake

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine a can of condensed cream of chicken soup and 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese in a large pot. Cook and stir until cheese is melted. Stir in a thawed package of California-blend vegetables, a cup of cooked rice, a cup of cubed deli ham, and a sliced leek (just the white and pale green part – compost the dark green part unless you want to make soup out if it).

Transfer to a greased baking dish. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup more of cheese. Bake, uncovered, for 25-30 minutes.

 

Zesty Tomato Soup

Combine 2 cans of condensed tomato soup, 2 2/3 cups of water, and 2 tsp of chili powder in a pot. Heat through. Garnish with oyster crackers and shredded Monterey Jack cheese.

 

Instant Impromptu Soup Tips!

Create instant soup by combining leftover vegetables with chicken or beef broth in a blender and processing until smooth.

OR

Add chicken or beef broth to leftover rice and stir in some lightly sauteed vegetables.

Heat just until warmed through.

Make soup out of leftovers and then freeze to eat on a later date.

Week 17

Shopping List:

Butterscotch ice cream topping

Vanilla ice cream

Granola cereal

Mini semisweet chocolate chips

Caraway seeds

Hot dogs

Swiss cheese

Apple

1 lb ground beef

Onion

Envelope of taco seasoning

2 tubes of large refrigerated biscuits

8 oz of cheddar cheese

3 cans of your favorite soup

Bag of premixed salad

[Buy a 1 L of milk this week. Also needed: sauerkraut and Thousand Island dressing]

 

Breakfast: Oatmeal

Lunch: Taco puff and soup or salad

Dinner: Reuben casserole

Dessert: Milkshake

 

Granola Chip Shakes

Combine 3/4 to 1 cup of milk, 2 Tbsp of butterscotch topping, and 2 cups of vanilla ice cream in a blender. The amount of milk you use will depend on how soft or hard your ice cream is and how thick or runny you like your milkshakes. Cover and process until smooth. Pour into a chilled glass.

Drizzle with 2 Tbsp of butterscotch ice cream topping. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup of granola and 1 Tbsp of miniature semisweet chocolate chips. Use a knife to swirl topping into shake. Top with another 1/4 cup of granola and 1 Tbsp of chocolate chips. Makes one big milkshake. Split recipe in half if you want a smaller one.

 

Reuben Dogs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Rinse and drain 1 cup of sauerkraut. Place in a greased baking dish. Sprinkle with 2 tsp of caraway seeds, 1/2 a chopped onion and a peeled and cubed apple. Top with 8 halved-lengthwise hot dogs. Bake, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes. Sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded Swiss cheese. Bake 3-5 minutes. Serve with Thousand Island salad dressing.

 

Taco Puffs

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cook 1 lb of ground beef and 1/2 cup of chopped onion in a skillet over medium heat. Drain. Add an envelope of taco seasoning and prepare according to package directions. Cool slightly.

Open one tube of large refrigerated biscuits and flatten the biscuits into 4 inches circles. Place in greased baking pans. Spoon 1/4 cup of meat mixture onto each biscuit. Top each with two cheddar cheese slices or 1/4 cup of shredded cheese. Open a second tube of large refrigerated biscuits and flatten. Place on top of the cheese and meat mixture and pinch edges to seal tightly. Bake for 15 minutes.