Meal Planning for the Express Checkout!

Now that I am a full-time teacher/Mom and wife, I've really had to work on getting organized (or, organimized as I would say). No one has helped me do this more than the prayers of my mother....yes, she has been fasting and praying for me to be organized my whole life!! haha. Another tool that has been inspirational is my ever helpful "Everyday Cheapskate" email that I receive daily(See homemade laundry detergent in August). This particular one was so informative that I thought I would share it with you all. It's about a weeks worth of meals and only around 20 items to purchase!! I can not attest to the cooking skills of the creator of this meal guide but I'm sure we can spice it up to our families liking.

Something that is said often in these emails has really struck a chord in me. "Mary" often says "Tough times don't last but tough people do". How true is this in our christian walk? If we can just get a tenacity in our walk with God we will be victorious! But, I digress. Didn't mean to turn meal planning into a sermon haha!

Express Checkout Dinners
Here's a meal plan you are going to love: a week's worth of dinner entrees for four to six people, complete with recipes and a shopping list that requires so few items, you just might be able to go through the Express Checkout to save time.Menu

Monday: Chicken Stir-Fry

Tuesday: Taco in a Pan

Wednesday: Vegetarian Penne with Tomato and Mozzarella

Thursday: Sour Cream Mushroom Chicken

Friday: Crazy Cheeseburger Pizza

Shopping List* 2 pounds ground beef

12 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

1 16-ounce frozen bag of mixed stir-fry vegetables

1 package of taco seasoning mix

1 box of instant rice (8 cups)

cheddar cheese (at least 22 ounces)

1 pound dry penne pasta

16 ounces mozzarella cheese

honey

1 jar of pizza sauce

fresh basil

2 pounds fresh tomatoes

1 24-ounce container of sour cream

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 small can diced mushrooms

*List assumes cook has basic spices, dry white wine or chicken stock, soy sauce, flour, baking soda, vegetable and olive oils, red wine vinegar, milk and eggs.

Simple Stir-Fry with Chicken
4 cups instant rice1 tablespoon vegetable oil6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cut into 1-inch pieces1 16-ounce frozen bag of mixed stir-fry vegetables2 tablespoons soy sauce2 tablespoons honeyHeat oil in skillet. Add chicken pieces and brown. Then, add vegetables, soy sauce and honey. Cook for five to eight minutes, until vegetables are crisp but tender. Cook rice according to instructions on the package, and serve stir-fry mixture over rice. Servings: 4.

Taco in a Pan
1 pound ground beef 4 cups water 1 packet taco seasoning mix 4 cups instant rice1 cup shredded cheddar cheese sour cream 1/2 pound chopped tomatoes

Brown ground beef in a large skillet and drain. Add water and taco seasoning and bring to a boil. Stir in rice. Sprinkle cheese on top of rice, cover and simmer on low for five minutes, until rice has absorbed water. Top with sour cream and tomatoes. Servings: 4 to 6.

Vegetarian Penne
1 1/2 pounds tomatoes, seeded and chopped 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, cut in 1/2-inch by one-inch strips1/4 cup olive oil1 tablespoon red wine vinegar salt and pepper, to taste1/2 cup chopped fresh basil 12 ounces penne pasta

Combine mozzarella, tomatoes, oil and vinegar in a bowl. Add salt and pepper and let sit at room temperature for one hour. Cook pasta according to package instructions and add to mixture in bowl. Add fresh basil and toss to blend. Add more salt and pepper as desired and serve. Servings: 4.

Sour Cream Mushroom Chicken
1 10.75-ounce can condensed cream of chicken soup 1 10.75-ounce can condensed cream of mushroom soup 3/4 cup dry white wine or chicken stock 2 cups sour cream 1 can diced mushrooms 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

Preheat oven to 350 F. In a bowl, mix together chicken and mushroom soups, wine or stock, sour cream, mushrooms, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Pour mixture into a glass baking dish. Put chicken breasts on top of mixture. Bake in oven for 1 hour. Servings: 6.

Crazy Cheeseburger Pizza
Batter:1 cup all-purpose flour 3/4 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1/8 teaspoon black pepper 2 eggs, lightly beaten 2/3 cup milk Toppings: 1 pound ground beef 1/2 teaspoon pepper

6 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded 6 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded 3/4 cup pizza sauce

Preheat oven to 425 F and grease a pizza pan or cookie sheet with sides. Brown ground beef with 1/2 teaspoon pepper and drain. Mix flour, salt, oregano, 1/8 teaspoon pepper, eggs and milk together and pour into a pizza pan or cookie sheet. Tilt pan so batter covers it evenly. Sprinkle ground beef over batter mixture. Bake for 20 minutes, until crust is golden brown.Spread pizza sauce over crust and sprinkle with cheddar and mozzarella cheese. Return to oven for about 10 minutes, until cheese melts. Cut and serve. Servings: 4 to 6.