So, last week worked really well - here's the gist if you missed it...
Back..ok
So, as usual I'm acting like my children actually run the house and have the upper hand, and I'm letting them do the meal planning again. I've suggested they follow up on this and do the shopping too but they both disappeared leaving me with a 1 year old that can push a trolley but just throws money out of purses therefore can't yet be trusted.
Although they have chosen what they want to eat, I have jigged it around a bit, just to stamp my authority as an adult really, and to make it so I can cook once on Monday after I've shopped and then have more free time to clean up after the little darlings and chauffeur them around if necessary.
Here it is..
Monday - Spaghetti Bolognaise and Garlic Bread
Tuesday - Green Thai Curry and Rice with piles of mange tout and baby corn
Wednesday - Spaghetti Tacos and potato wedges
Thursday - Slow Cooker Curry
Friday - Cheesy Mash Shepherd's Pie and piles of veg
Saturday - Take Awaaaaaayy!!
Sunday - Paprika Chicken and Quinoa
and the plan for cooking...
Monday
- Make huge batch of spag bol and freeze several portions.
- Put enough in fridge for Spaghetti Tacos on Wednesday
- Make Thai Curry and refrigerate
- Mix up the curry sauce in a freezer bag and put in fridge
- Make garlic bread - from scratch!! (anyone know if I can freeze dough?)
- Make two shepherds pies and freeze
Tuesday
- Make pan of rice and veg for with curry
Wednesday
- Dice chicken and add to bag of ingredients
Thursday
- Fling chicken curry bag contents into the slow cooker in a flamboyant, I've beat this stove standing lark fashion
- Remember to switch slow cooker on at the plug!!!
- Make some rice and chips at tea time
- Defrost a shepherds pie
Friday
- Bung shepherds pie in oven and boil loads of veg
And you're thinking but what about the Paprika Chicken?
Well it's already lingering at the back of the freezer. I found it during a lunchtime freezer dive last week.
This reduced cooking plan is really working for me!
This post is linked up with the Meal Plan Monday Linky on I'm an Organising Junkie. There are loads of meal plans on there and I urge you to read them as some are gourmet!!
This is a family favourite and easy leftover meal if you've had mash the day before.
My kids love this with beans and bacon.
There are no quantities stated because it is very much dependent on how much mash you have. You really can't go wrong (unless you make them early - see warning below!)
Ingredients:
Cold Mashed Potato
Plain Flour
Salt
Margarine or Butter
Method:
Add a little salt to your mash to taste if you haven't already (or leave out if you don't use salt)
Mix an handful of plain flour into your cold mash potato
Keep adding flour until the mixture firms up and goes stiff. Generally a pan full of mash takes about 4 handfulls.
Grease a baking tray. I put foil on my tray then grease that - easy cleaning!!
Dust a little flour over the greased foil/tray
Make a ball from the cold mash mixture and squash it to a circular potato shape
Add a tiny dollop of butter to the top of each potato cake
Grill until the tops start to brown and turn them over
(they will be soft and sloppy)
When the second side is browned, they are ready to serve.
Warning: You can make the mash ahead, but don't add the flour until you are ready to cook them. I did once and refrigerated them overnight and they had black spots the next day!!!!
Serve with beans, bacon, sausages, fish, you name it, potato cakes go with it!
Enjoy!
Claire
Meal Planning Monday - Finger Food Revolt!!
I'm at the stage with the youngest where he wants to feed himself with cutlery. He wants the same as us and wants to do it himself. Oh Joy! Now moving the dining room to the carpeted room does not seem a good idea. I'm wondering if a buffet in the kitchen is a daily possibility for the next six months?
So, I shall bite the bullet and cease arguing with a 15 month old because I can't win. Not only can he out ERRRRR me but he can now sign his requirements thanks to hisbaby sign class.
Here's my plan for the week.
Monday: Hot Dog Pasta Bake
Tuesday: Chicken Dinner (maybe without gravy!)
Wednesday: Fish and Chips
Thursday: Not So Chilli and Nachos
Friday: Sausage and .... (cringe) Mash with lots of rolling peas and sweetcorn
Saturday: Takeaway (Home made chicken strips and wedges for Mr Independence)
Sunday: The Big 3 Courser - (not decided exactly what yet!)
I know I've jibbed out somewhat and decided on food that can be finger food, but break me in gently, its 5 years since I did this!! (and we had a laminated floor)
How did you get through this phase of the toddler war for independence?
Advice please!!!
--
This post is linked up with Meal Plan Monday on I'm an Organizing Junkie - go and have a look, there's bags of inspiration.
Or Not So Chilli and I have named it. Kids love it, it's gentle enough for toddlers and this intro to chilli will ramp up over the years until the kids are all at full strength!
(Unfortunately we ate it before a photo, so a photo will follow soon!)
Ingredients:
1 pack of minced beef
10 sun dried tomatoes
2 tbsp worcester sauce
1 tin of BBQ Baked Beans
1 carton of Passatta
Method:
Cook the mince
Blend the sun dried tomatoes and worcester sauce and add to pan
Cook for a minute or two
Add the baked beans and heat through
Add the passatta
When it's all hot, it's done.
Serve with Nacho Chips, Sour Cream, Mashed Avacado and Savoury Rice
Can also be served over a jacket potato or with potato wedges
Cost:
£5.l4 based on Asda Prices on 21/03/14 which includes Nacho Chips and Savoury Rice
Equates to 64p per portion
Yeild:
8 child portions suitable for freezing
