This Week on the Dining Table

It's the "Almost Christmas" Edition--

This is a photo of my Christmas fudge prep, after draining the walnuts from the whiskey they had been soaking in for two days.
The leftover whiskey will not go to waste, as I'll add it to the non-nut variety of fudge I plan to make too. (The non-nut fudge isn't being eaten by anyone allergic to nuts so it's aok.)

Onward to the meal planning!

Here's what was planned last week.......

1. Sunday--Pecan Chicken, Corn Casserole, Broc/Cauliflower Mix
2. Monday--Rigatoni w/Meat Sauce, Salad or ?Veggie
3. Tuesday--Broccoli Soup, Grilled Cheese
4. Wednesday--Tacos or Taco Salad
5. Thursday--Chicken Parm, Spaghetti, Sugar Snap Peas
6. Friday--Kielbasa on Rolls, Beans, Veg TBD
7. Saturday--Leftovers

And this is what actually happened--

1. Sunday--Pecan Chicken, Corn Casserole, Broc/Cauliflower Mix
2. Monday--Leftover Quiche
3. Tuesday--Broccoli Soup, Toasted Bagel
4. Wednesday--Stuffed Shells w/Meat Sauce, Salad, Garlic Bread
5. Thursday--Fish Fry, Cole Slaw, Steak Fries(for Hubs and CB)
6. Friday--Cole Slaw and Chili Hot Dogs on Rolls
7. Saturday-Roast Chicken, Leftover Corn Casserole grilled in pan, Brussels Sprouts

No Chicken Parm, Tacos or Kielbasa.
I found a .59¢ lb. whole chicken at the store so that got made inside of Parm.  And a 50% bag of Cole slaw mix I bought had me dig out frozen fish to serve instead of making tacos, then we all had a hankering for good hot dogs(and could use more of the Cole slaw with it)so it was dogs instead of kielbasa.

As for my grocery spending last week...... 3 trips to the grocery stores for a total of $42.92 spent OOP. Month to date is $278.95 spent for December on $610.60 worth of regular retail foods/toiletries(not counting Rite-Aid). I acheived a 59.86% savings rate on items bought this past week.  I have $71.05 leftover in the food budget for the rest of the month(plus $10.75 in Catalinas to spend by Dec. 26th).   Since I only have to shop for groceries this week and then I am done for the month/year I think I can stay on budget....maybe, if no instant discount meats appear while I am in the stores this week. ;-)

Leftovers going into this week.....Meat Sauce, Fish, Cole slaw, Stuffed Shells, Roast Chicken meat,

Here is this week's "food plan"--

1. Sunday--Rigatoni w/(leftover)Meat Sauce, Salad
2. Monday--Bourbon Glazed Salmon, (leftover)Cole Slaw, Olive Oil Potatoes
3. Tuesday--Chicken and Dumplings or Pot Pie(using leftover roast chicken meat)
4. Wednesday-Leftovers(this will mean fish, stuffed shells and/or rigatoni w/sauce + a veggie)
5. Thursday--Traditional Chinese Dinner out Xmas Eve
6. Friday--Beef Roast, Mac and Cheese, Ginger Carrots, Rolls, a green Veggie TBD
7. Saturday--Leftovers or a Subway sammich or Fend for Yourself

This week will see 3 new meals cooked and 2-3 meals of leftovers consumed(albeit 1 meal using leftover foods but in a new dish) plus 1 night Eating Out.

What I need to buy for this menu?.........a roast, milk and carrots.
Plus I'll do the Swanson Deal at Weis and maybe a few other things.  I should be able to stay under my $71.05 left in the food budget for December.  This week's shop will be my last of 2015.

What is getting fixed and served at your house this week?
Are you making something special for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?

Was last week's plan successful, did you go off plan or did you not even plan what was going to be eaten last week?

Any great deals on food at your stores this week?

Sluggy