Monday, March 12, 2007

it's not that I didn't have a plan

for the month of Feb. I did. I had put together 2 menus of 10 meals each as usual. But stomach illnesses and new flooring & DH's long work nights meant that only 13 of 20 meals actually got made.

Last week I wrecked my car. I failed to miss a chunk of tree limb in the middle of the road and did, according to my mechanic, "Significant damage" to my car. So far it looks like I owe my $500 deductible and $14 a day insurance on my rental car. The rest of the repairs and the cost of the rental are covered by my insurance. Unless it turns out that my transmission is significantly damaged. They they may call my car totalled. Add to that what will not doubt be an exorbitant electric bill because the heat ran almost non-stop through all of Feb adnthe fact that we just paid for flooring to be installed and there is no money to eat out and the grocery bill will have to be very small for the next couple of months. Planning & sticking to a menu to necessary. But planning more than 8-10 meals at a time is a bit too much for me (unless I am planning to double the amount & freeze half) so I am just doing a week at a time for now.

This week (probably in this order):
Indian Inspired Chicken with curried broccoli
Butoni tortellini & salad
Meatloaf with hidden veggies & corn
Veggie soup & grilled cheese
Broiled whitefish & veggie TBB
pizza - toppings TBD
Pork loin (to become BBQ sandwiches next week)

Target just opened recently & I've been trying out their Archer Farms snacks. We love the spinach & artichoke tortilla chips so I think I will make some sort of loaded nacho dish & serve with spinach salad. I suspect black bean soup is in my near future as well. It's been on my mind a lot. I may make it instead of the veggie soup. It might be good with the chips too. And maybe I'll make that Coq au vin from Cooks Illustrated again next week as well. Next Wednesday is Ostara so we'll have an omlette or frittata that night, maybe a quiche. Maybe some chicken & sweet potato salad on night as well. And i'll see what beef product is on sale next week for the last meal, or maybe we can grill some of those rib eyes we have if it is nice enough. Some beets with them perhaps, or turnips.