Meal Planning Tips?

[electrictoaster]

Hi All.

I run a stupidly busy life these days, I never have time to think about what to cook, more so, for more than one night!

Does anyone have any good tips?

Thanks

ET

[Semigourmet]

Well, I base my meal plans around the meats that I have in the freezer. So for instance I usually have
boneless skinless chicken breasts,
ground beef (in 1 pound packages)
bone in skin on chicken thighs
salmon fillets (I buy it at sam's club and cut it into pieces the size I want and freeze)
Shrimp: raw, peeled, deveined (also bought at sams frozen)
whole hens (for roasting)
Pot Roast (any kind)

with the boneless skinless breasts I like to...

season and saute 3-4 cut up 2 to be used in salads, use the other two for meals, served with a steamed veg, and rice side or pasta side.

the chicken thighs I....

Oven Fried chicken thighs, served with veggies, and a starch side.
Braised chicken thighs with button mushrooms. served over rice with a veggie side.

the Ground Beef.....
spaghetti
hamburger gravy
taco meat (which I like to use in salads, or tacos)
beef and veggie soup
hamburger cabbage caserole
meatloaf (stuffed meatloaf)
etc...

the Salmon....

Panfried Salmon with pinot noir sauce
marinated grilled salmon
Herbed Salmon packets
bow ties with salmon and tarragon cream sauce


the shrimp...
grilled and lightly brushed with barbecue sauce
sauteed in butter with garlic, seasoning and white wine to finish.
shrimp scampi with angel hair pasta

whole chicken....

I like to roast them making beer can chicken. they are great the first time around and then you can use the leftovers in
chicken noodle soup (I would use fresh linguine or fettuccine for a more homemade flavor)
chicken Enchiladas
barbecued chicken tortilla pizzas
etc...

For the Pot Roast....

I like to use the leftovers in...
boiled beef and homemade noodles (you use the leftover meat, cut into bite size pieces. using some or all of the leftover gravy, water, and the homemade noodles thicken it to a stew like consistancy) then you serve over mashed potatos. LOL I know carb overload.

also I like to make a sandwich spread with some of the leftover roast.



Hope this helps.

[electrictoaster]

Hi Mary,

These are great tips! I especially like your ideas for a Whole Chicken, will try that this week!

I've been using a couple of online resources such as taste.com.au for ideas, but it's not good for planning a couple of days in advance. I must admit, I found a site, www.mealopedia.com, which has been brilliant, for example, you could throw in an ingredient such as above, and get meal ideas for the week with nutritional guidelines etc..

Will keep you posted on my luck with the above, thanks again.

ET

[Semigourmet]

You're welcome and Good luck! Also I forgot that I also use the leftover beer can chicken or roasted chicken to make pot pies, that works out great too.

[Semigourmet]

By the way Great website. I will be passing this one on to a few friends that don't plan well for their meals. Thank you.