Friday, August 11, 2006

Smart Menu Planning

Before you can start to cook you must have a plan! I start each week by making a menu and then creating a grocery list. After I buy groceries at the farmer's market, health food store and grocery store (whew!), I can get cooking!

You can make a week's worth of menus, too. Just break it down. Here's what I do.

Sundays -- Traditional Sunday Dinner
I often have more time to cook on Sundays, so I usually plan a Sunday Dinner for that night. Think casseroles or a New Heritage Cooking style traditional Sunday Dinner -- soy sausage, a couple of veggies and cornbread or biscuits. Yum!

Mondays -- Soup or Salad
In the summer, I love to create big salads for Monday night supper. In the winter, I serve soup, which I often make on Sunday afternoon. These quick Monday dinners are rounded out with whole grain rolls or bread.

Tuesdays -- Beans or Tofu
Classic beans and rice, stir fry tofu, beans and greens... the combinations are endless!

Wednesdays -- Pasta
Pasta is a quick and filling meal for midweek. And pasta can take a number of forms -- soba noodles with peanut sauce, rice noodles with Pad Thai, whole wheat spaghetti with marinara sauce. Yummy!

Thursday -- Sandwiches
Thursdays can busy nights at my house -- workouts at the gym, yoga class, and just being plain tired from a hectic week. Sandwiches fit the bill just fine.

Friday -- Pizza
What's better on Friday night than a homemade pizza?! Top with low-fat or soy cheese and your favorite toppings, pop in the oven and 15 minutes dinner is ready! Look for pre-made crusts in your grocer's cooler case or freezer for a truly fast meal.

Saturday -- New Recipe or Dining Out
Saturday night takes us out on the town or trying a new recipe. It's a fun way to wrap up a week of great eating.

3 comments:

laura k said...

Great ideas! My menu planning skills suck--some structure might just be the thing to get me going!

Harmonia said...

I'm soooo loving your blog for menu ideas! Keep em coming! Great place you have here! Mind if I link you? I'm at:
http://harmonia.bloggoing.com

Jill said...

Thanks, Harmonia. Link away!