HAPPY SPRING!!!!! Can you believe Spring is here????? We have been outside enjoying this amazing weather all weekend!!! I hope you are too!
I have heard from many of you that you are opting to join a CSA this year! You will be so happy that you did! I will share some freezer tips along the way or if you have questions about how to use something just shoot me an email. I may not be an expert in the field but I have been doing this for a few years now and I have learned a few tricks along the way! We will also take advantage of the veggies while they are in season – the best time to eat them!!!! Which is why we have asparagus every week – in case you were wondering.
Guess what? Our first grill recipe of the year!!! An oldie but goodie Caesar Chicken. Make extras because we will have chicken wraps on Thursday and you will want extra for lunches to throw in a salad or make a sandwich. And like I have said before – If you are afraid of the big, bad, grill – get over it! The grill is your friend … embrace it!
Calling all Popeyes – lots of spinach this week!!!! Mixed up in a lasagna roll that your kids MAY not notice. Or if they are like Popeye, the sautéed spinach is fabulous!!!
Hope you enjoy the recipes and the savings! Here it is:
MONDAY
Lasagna Roll-ups
Tossed Salad
Lasagna Roll-ups – adapted from All*You
8 lasagna noodles – regular NOT the do-not-boil kind
1 box of frozen-chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 ½ cups of ricotta cheese
1/3 cup of parmesan cheese
1 ½ cups of marinara sauce
½ cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
Cook the noodles according to the packages directions. Preheat the oven to 350˚
While the pasta is cooking, combine the spinach, ricotta and parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Spray a 9x9 baking dish with cooking spray and spread ½ cup of marinara on the bottom.
Once the pasta is cooked and drained, take one noodle at a time and lay out on a work surface. Spread some of the spinach mixture down each noodle and then roll it up. Place rolled up noodle, seam side down, in the baking dish. Repeat.
Once all of the noodles have been rolled, spread the rest of the sauce over the noodles and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake uncovered for about 25 minutes or until the sauce is bubbling and the cheese has melted.
TUESDAY
Grilled Caesar Chicken
Sautéed Spinach with Feta
Roasted Red Peppers
Steamed Rice
Grilled Caesar Chicken – Double this recipe if you want leftovers for wraps and lunches!
1 lb. of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded out
¾ cup of Caesar salad dressing
Marinate the chicken in the salad dressing at least 4 hours or overnight. Remove chicken and grill about 6-8 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the chicken, over medium heat. Discard marinade. Remove from the grill, cover with foil and let rest while you prepare the spinach.
Sautéed Spinach with Feta
1 -2 pkgs. of fresh baby spinach or 1-2 boxes of frozen
1 T. of olive oil
1 -2 t. of fresh, minced garlic (depends on how much spinach)
Salt and pepper to taste
2 T. of crumbled feta cheese
Heat oil and garlic in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add spinach and toss until wilted. Season with salt and pepper. Just prior to serving add the feta cheese and stir just until it begins to melt.
***Time-Saving Tip*** I buy roasted red peppers in the jar that are pre-sliced. I just warm them a little in the microwave or serve at room temperature. They are very good!
WEDNESDAY
Oven-Roasted Cod and Mushrooms
Rice
Broiled Asparagus
Oven-Roasted Cod and Mushrooms – adapted from Everyday Food
2 small packages of sliced mushrooms
2 T. of olive oil
1 t. of thyme
Salt and pepper
4 cod fillets – about 6 oz. each
1 T. olive oil
1 lemon
1 t. of parsley – fresh if you have it
Preheat oven to 450˚
On a jelly-roll pan, toss the mushrooms with the olive oil, thyme and season with salt and pepper. Roast in the oven for about 10 minutes until the mushrooms have browned.
Meanwhile, rub 1 T. of olive oil on the fish and season with salt and pepper. Arrange the fish on top of the roasted mushrooms. Roast until the fish is opaque throughout – about 10 – 12 minutes. To serve plate the mushrooms and the fish, squeeze fresh lemon juice and sprinkle with parsley.
***Reheat leftover steamed rice from the night before.***
Broiled Asparagus
One bunch of asparagus, with the ends trimmed
1-2 T. of olive oil
Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
Toss the asparagus with all of the ingredients and lay flat on a jelly-roll pan. Place under the broiler for 5-8 minutes. This can be done while you are plating the fish.
THURSDAY
“Wrap It Up” This is how we will use any leftovers and reduce waste and continue to save $$$!!!
Chicken Wraps
Leftover Caesar chicken, sliced into strips
Roasted Red Peppers, sliced
Cucumbers, chopped
Hummus
Feta Cheese
Caesar Salad Dressing
Large tortillas – burrito size
To assemble, spread hummus on a tortilla, top with chicken strips, slices of roasted red peppers, cucumbers, feta cheese and lettuce or spinach leaves. Drizzle with Caesar dressing and wrap it up and enjoy!!!
FRIDAY
Pizza Night – Any way you like it!
Salad
This night is all about your favorite pizza! You can either order in or make your own! GE has pizza crust, sauce and cheese on special this week. If you take advantage of their specials, you can make a pizza for less than $3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Add your favorite toppings and well you might break $5 – WOW!!!!
Our favorite way to make “homemade” pizzas is to use flatbread. We buy our flatbread at Costco. It comes in a double pack – they call it “pocketless pita bread.” We keep it in the freezer and pull out however many we need. They are the perfect size for individual pizzas!
And now here is your shopping list:
Shopping/Checklist
Produce
Salad – GE special on bagged salad – or use whatever you like
Spinach – 1 or 2 bags depending on how many Popeyes you have!
Garlic
Lemon
2 small packages of sliced mushrooms – GE special
Asparagus
Cucumbers
Deli
Parmesan cheese
Feta
Hummus
Wraps – I like Spinach wraps or regular tortillas
Pizza crust – GE special only $1
Pizza toppings – pepperoni, sausage, hot peppers – etc.
Canned Goods/Ethnic Foods/Dry Goods
Lasagna noodles
Marinara sauce – GE specials on Market District, Classico or check your freezer for homemade
Roasted Red peppers
Rice
Pizza Sauce – GE special cans of Contadina 10 for $10 – do not need to buy all 10
Spices/Oils/Vinegars/Dressings/Condiments
Ken’s Light Caesar Dressing – there was a coupon a few weeks ago
Olive oil
Thyme
Parsley
Frozen Foods
Box of spinach
Seafood/Meat Case/Butcher
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts – consider getting 2 lbs. to double the recipe
4 cod fillets – about 6 oz. each - GE special
Dairy
Ricotta cheese
Mozzarella cheese – GE special on Kraft
Bread /Cereal
Misc.
Thanks again to everyone who has passed on my menu! I really appreciate it and am grateful that you are enjoying the recipes and the savings!
Follow the plan so you can save time, money, and a few calories! Remember – cooking our own food is healthier than ordering in and eating out any day!!! Your family, wallet and waistline will thank you!
I hope you all enjoy your week, the recipes and the savings!
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