NO menu plan this week

We have a lot of things going on this week, so no menu plan. I think we'll do okay as far as not going out, it will just take a little prep by me.

CostCo trip

We went into town the other day and stopped at CostCo to pick up some things. Multigrain chips, chocolate chips (the best price I have found), gum, cheese and two pieces of pizza. Total = $44.35, OOP = Zero (used a gift card)

We splurged and went to Culver's for ice cream. OOP = $5.17

Ramos again

James decided last night was a Ramos meal night. It was good, but I think it kept me up all night. Boo Hiss. OOP = $12.54

Money

I just got back from a mini-trip and we went to the store. I didn't take a picture because I'm embarrassed about the junk we bought. Total OOP = 13.62

Taco Chicken

I forgot to take a picture of our meal last night. I got a recipe for Taco Chicken from Betty Crocker. It was okay. Basically you make an egg dip with salt and taco sauce and a dry dip of nacho cheese chips and Bisquick. Dip the chicken in the egg and then coat with the chip mixture and fry up. The flavor of the chicken was good. Next time I will definitely bake the chicken instead of frying it in the pan. The egg made the dry mix clump and that was disappointing. So many different variations could come out of this recipe.

Picnic

Today was a beautiful day and James got off work almost on time. We decided to bail on the meal plan and go for a picnic. Off to the store we went and we picked up lunch meat and several splurges. OOP = $17.13. Worth EVERY SINGLE PENNY to enjoy a meal outside with James on a beautiful evening!

Oreo Muffins

I think I got this recipe from an old Taste of Home or Quick Cooking magazine. These muffins are okay, but not my favorite. James really likes them. I think I would like them better if I had made them with a chocolate muffin batter instead of a regular one. When I make these again, I will definitely use less butter.

Oreo Muffins
1 3/4 c all-purpose flour
1/3 c sugar
3 t baking powder
1/3 c cold butter
1/3 c sour cream
1 egg
1 c milk
16 Oreos, coarsely chopped

Topping:
3 T flour
3 T sugar
5 Oreos, finely chopped
2 T cold butter
1 c vanilla chips
1 T shortening

In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, and baking powder. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Beat egg, milk, and sour cream; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in chopped cookies. Fill muffin tins (fitted with paper liners) 2/3 - 3/4 full.

For topping, combine the flour, sugar, and crushed Oreos. Cut in the butter until crumbly; sprinkle about 1 T over each muffin. Bake at 400° for 16-18 minutes (my oven runs hot, so I cooked mine at 350° for 15 minutes) or until muffins test done. Cool for 5 minutes before removing muffins from pan to a wire rack. Melt the vanilla chips and shortening with a method of your choice, I used the microwave, until smooth. Drizzle over cooled muffins.

Menu Plan Monday

James is still having crazy days at work, on top of going to boot camp so I had to plan around those.

Monday - Pinto bean casserole

Tuesday - Grilled tuna and rice

Wednesday - Tuna casserole

Thursday - Taco chicken

Friday - Wraps using LO chicken

Saturday - Bison burgers and tater tots

Sunday - pasta

Dessert - Oreo muffins (currently cooling on the counter)

Out to eat at Ramos restaurant

We had a long day yesterday and went out to eat at Ramos. OOP = $11.77

Groceries and freebies

We did a little sale shopping this weekend.

Walmart: DiGiorno 200 calorie pizza FREE with MQ

HEB: Double Stuf Oreo Cakesters FREE with MQ

Whole Foods: 0.45 lb sucanat = $0.90

Sprouts:
3 packages of Extra Lean Ground Beef on sale for 40% off (normally $3.99/lb) = total $7.96
0.14 lb Chocolate Almonds on sale for 25% off (normally $5.99/ lb) = $0.63
0.22 lb Chocolate Bridge mix 25% off (normally $4.49/lb) = $0.74

Total OOP w/tax = $9.44
Total Sales = $4.47

We also went to this new place (well, new to us) called Taco Deli. We received two coupons for a free breakfast taco from when we attended the Greyla. We saved $4.01 and had an awesome breakfast. Taco Deli does not scrimp on the food at all! Try the habanero hot sauce it was my favorite.

No-bake Peanut Butter Chocolate dessert

I don't remember where I got this recipe from, but I think it was from the old Kraft magazines that they used to send out free. It is easy, if a little time-consuming, to make and super yummy! In case you haven't figured out from reading my blog, I love the combination of chocolate and peanut butter so this dessert is right up my alley! What I like about this is that besides being easy to make, there are so many combinations of puddings and flavors that could be used to make different versions of this dessert!

No-bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Dessert

1 c cold milk (I use skim)
1/4 c peanut butter
1 box instant chocolate pudding
1 tub of whipped topping
1 box of vanilla wafers

1. Mix the milk and peanut butter in a bowl with a whisk until combined. Add pudding and whisk until smooth. Stir or whisk in whipped topping.
2. Spread about a teaspoon of mixture onto each wafer and stack them together; fitting them into your serving dish. I just make an assembly line: smear pudding on wafer, put wafer next to wafer in serving dish, and repeat. Here's what mine looked like when I had finished putting the wafers in.


3. Spread the rest of the pudding mixture over the top of the wafers. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 hours. Cut and serve!

Chicken Chili and Cornmeal Dumplings

I had a tiny bit of baking mix left and wanted to use it up so I found this recipe at Betty Crocker. I changed it a little, as usual, but it was very delicious and easy to make. The dumplings were light and tasty and a good complement to the thick chili.

Chili Chicken and Cornmeal Dumplings

2 chicken breasts, cooked and diced
1 can chili beans
1 small can tomato sauce
several dashes of hot sauce
3/4 c baking mix
1/4 c cornmeal
1/3 c milk
cheddar cheese

1. In a large pot, heat the chicken, tomato sauce, and water (refill the tomato sauce can with water) until boiling. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in beans and let come to boil and then reduce heat to low.
2. In a bowl, mix together baking mix, cornmeal, and milk until a soft dough forms. Drop by spoonfuls onto hot chili. Cook uncovered for 10 minutes, then cover and cook for another 10 minutes.
3. Sprinkle about 1/4 c cheddar cheese over the top, cover and cook for about three minutes.

Small grocery trip

Total before: 24.44
Total Q: 6.16 (Syrups were free)
Total OOP: 7.53 (10.75 on gift card I received for Christmas)

My 65 pound lap dog!

He just loves to be with his mommy!

Menu Plan Monday

Because of my knee and me not being able to stand for long periods of time, James will be doing the cooking this week. He already has a rough week at work scheduled and now this, but he's a trooper. He picked the meals this week since he's cooking.

Monday - Chicken chili with cornmeal dumplings (we are hoping to finally try this)

Tuesday - Tuna steaks

Wednesday - tortellini

Thursday - Panko-crusted tilapia

Friday - homemade pizza

Saturday - hamburgers

Sunday - pinto bean casserole