This Week on the Dining Table

The "Unseasonably Hot September" Edition................

The last few days(and I see 7 more are coming this week)it's been very warm and muggy, especially for this late in September here.  The perpetual motion machine named Dixie Belle has even been waylaid a bit and actually lays in a bed for more than 3 seconds at a time.  Summer is not loosening her grip on NEPA.

Moving On....

Onward to the meal planning!

This is what was planned--

1. Sunday--Chili, leftover rolls
2. Monday--Chicken Cordon Bleu, Veggie TBD

3. Tuesday--Barbecue Chicken Thighs, Yellow Squash and Onions, other Leftover Sides

4. Wednesday--Steak Ravioli w/Sauce, Salad

5. Thursday--Salmon, Roasted Sweet Potato and Carrots

6. Friday--Steak
7. Saturday--Leftovers

And this is what actually happened--

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

1. Sunday--Chili, leftover rolls
2. Monday--Leftovers(I had a BLT)

3. Tuesday--Barbecue Chicken Thighs, Yellow Squash and Onions

4. Wednesday--Chicken Cordon Bleu, leftover Yellow Squash and Onions

5. Thursday--Steak, Caesar Salad

6. Friday--Leftovers
7. Saturday--Leftovers

Last week saw 4 nights of home cooked dinners, 3 nights of leftovers/ffy, and 0 nights of Eating Out/Take-Out.

Everything happened except the Salmon meal and the Ravioli which moves to this coming week.

I tried my hand at making Chicken Cordon Bleu from scratch.  Maybe I should have tried an actual recipe or something? lolz  They were tasty but a messy disaster because I pounded my chicken too thin inadvertently.  I tried to make "burritos" or pockets with them, so the cheese didn't leak out.  This meant using so many toothpicks and they still leaked!  They were just messy and time consuming and now I know why when Hubs wants this dish I buy them pre-made and frozen. lolz
The dish's taste vs. work wasn't worth it for me.

What got put into the freezer last week.....

* Just a small baggie of home grown broccoli.  I didn't buy any meats or cheese for the freezer. (Unless I decide to shred up some of that 6 lbs. of cheddar I got at Walmart last week but the clip at which Ex-College Boy goes through cheese......)

What got taken out of the freezer and used last week.....
* Stew Beef pack and a less than 1 lb. hunk of London Broil
* Some shredded Swiss cheese(about half a package)
* 3 T-Bone Steaks

One trip to Weis($32.24), a trip to the Ocean State Job Lot($72.70), and a trip to Walmart($47.13)brought the weekly spending to $152.07 and my September Total spending on food to $376.78.

My savings percentage last week was 51.25%(without Rite-Aid trips)and September's monthly savings total comes in at 55.05%(w/out R-A).

I have 7 more food shopping/spending days in September.  The budget is $400 so I have very little left to spend($23.22)before September is through.
As I am hitting OSJL this week before their annual "20% off everything in the store Sale" is over I am assuming now I will be over for the month.  But it will be worth it.
And as I was almost $100 UNDER budget for food/toiletries in August and the fact that I won't be home for a good part of October(=no food shopping)I don't feel too bad about going over this month.

Leftovers going into this week......2 Pork Chops, Carrots, Asiago Rice, Goulash, Egg Noodles, Chili.

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

1. Sunday--Spaghetti with Sauce, Meatballs, Salad
2. Monday--Leftover Pork Chops w/Apricot Glaze(glaze is new), Asiago Rice, Veggie TBD

3. Tuesday--Salmon, Roasted Sweet Potato and Carrots, Mac and Cheese

4. Wednesday--Hot Dogs w/Chili, Beans

5. Thursday--Steak Ravioli with Sauce, Salad

6. Friday--Leftovers or FFY
7. Saturday--Leftovers or FFY

This week will see 5 new meals cooked, 3 night of leftovers/FFY, and 0 nights of  Eating Out.

What needs buying for this menu?  Nothing.  I've got everything here in the fridge, freezer or pantry.  It's a good thing too since I am about out of food budget for the month.

Of course, except for Sunday(which is in the books now)or tonight's leftover fest, this plan can change in a hot minute depending on if I feel like eating/making this menu or not when that particular night is here.
Cooks prerogative rules, am I right!? lolz

What is getting fixed and served at your house this week?

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