Instead of a weekly menu plan, I thought I would make a list of possibilities for the entire month of January.
We need to do some huge eating from the freezer next month. It is overstuffed with inventory just waiting to be consumed. I looked through it yesterday to see what is available. I can make all the meals listed below from things already in the freezer, filling in with some produce, dairy, eggs, and bread. (I am positive I can do the same thing with a February and March list too)
I seriously doubt I will make all of these meals, and really just count this as a guide or suggestion. But sometimes a list of ideas keeps me focused, veering off with subtle changes here and there. Or I might go off the rails entirely (hope not), but at least I have an idea of what is available for some dinners.
I have included only the ham, brisket, and pork butt for leftover meals. I am trying to learn to cook for the two of us with just, enough left for lunches. Sometimes it works, but sometimes, well . . . those times will find some reformatted dish that is not found on this list.
Chili, cornbread, coleslaw
Vegetable soup, cornbread
Pumpkin sausage soup, salad, rolls
Bean soup, cornbread, coleslaw
Chicken and rice soup
Spaghetti w/ meat sauce, tossed salad, garlic toast
Steak, baked potato, tossed salad
Crock pot beef brisket, mashed potatoes, green beans
Beef stew, coleslaw, cornbread
Hamburger patty, asparagus, mashed potatoes
Mongolian beef, rice (bookmarked)*
Korean style ground beef, rice, Asian veggie medley
Greek Chicken, new potatoes, Greek green beans
Air fried chicken, potato salad, collard greens, biscuits √
Persian Chicken, rice, broccoli
Chicken parm, spinach salad (bookmarked).
Butter chicken, rice, kale salad
Greek style veggie bake, dinner rolls (bookmarked)
Mushroom goulash, broccoli, apple slices (bookmarked)
Veggie frittata , fruit compote
Black eyed peas, mac and cheese, coleslaw
Eggroll in a bowl
Pizza in a bowl
Pork chops, mashed potatoes, asparagus
Pork butt, collards, potato salad
Stuffed baked potato w/ leftover bbq pork butt, tossed salad
Ham, black eyed peas, cornbread, collards. √
Sliced ham, corn pudding, green beans
Grilled tuna steaks, baked potato, tossed salad, dinner rolls
Shrimp alfredo, kale salad
Grilled scallops, broccoli salad, baked potato
*Any where bookmarked appears is just to let me know I bookmarked an online recipe, kept in a folder called "try soon". Do I get extra points for folder naming originality?
hello, this list is a great plan. I recently did a freezer inventory and should make a similar list.
ReplyDeleteMy freezer is at max capacity. I need to move things (because I know I will buy any really good protein specials when they happen)
DeleteYou certainly have enough to choose from. :) Love the song clip today. When I was in high school, I played Snoopy in "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown" and that was my big number.
ReplyDeleteI am glad played something for you to enjoy! And now I know a little bit of trivia about your high school years.
DeleteThank you for reminding me to do a freezer inventory, I have to do that before the new year. I hope you have a happy New Years!
ReplyDeleteMy advice when doing a freezer inventory is to wear ski gloves!
DeleteNow that sounds like a plan! My mother used to make a monthly meal plan, when she first married and had an instant family of 5 step-children who apparently complained if they were served the same meal a week later!
ReplyDeleteTheHub is the one here who does not like to repeat meals.
DeleteI might have enough 'fixings' to last a week -- but there's little doubt Tom would find a reason to visit the grocery. That's his favorite place!
ReplyDeleteI know TheHub will still go to the grocery store for his recreational shopping fix, but at least it will not be things other than what he wants.
DeleteIt all sounds really great! I just have a small refrigerator freezer but I have a massive amount of dried beans and canned vegetables for one person. I need to do what you did and make a list!!! Cindy in the South.
ReplyDeleteI doubt I will stick to the list, but I do better with at least a suggestion of a plan.
DeleteYou have a good variety to pick from there. I too need to go through our freezer, thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteAnytime!
DeleteWhat is pizza in a bowl? Sounds interesting. Sue in MN
ReplyDeleteIt is a bunch of cooked veggies, mixed with pizza sauce and pepperoni bits. I usually have onions, peppers, mushrooms, cauliflower bits,and spinach. I put it in a heat proof bowl and sometimes top it with cheese, sometimes not.
DeleteI'm trying to work through my freezer too so pulling out one thing a day at the moment and going with it. I'm not so great at making lists but then there's only me so as long as I have one idea for the day that works for me. I also have a file on my computer called "recipes to try". It's about a mile long and I'm sure most of them have "gone off the boil" by now!
ReplyDeleteI have so many recipes under so many different folders. I imagine a huge amount of them are no longer available.
DeleteYour freezer is definitely full of great ingredients for wonderful meals! Interesting title for your folder. It could refer to other things too. :)
ReplyDeleteMy freezer is filled to the brim. I hope by making a list like this it will inspire me to use a lot of it
DeleteI took need to get the freezer cleaned out and need a few low spend months to jump start saving a bit. I'll make a lot of flatbread like meals to use up veggie bits this week.
ReplyDeleteI have to use a lot because I know I am a sucker for good buys when they happen and I need the space to add new finds.
DeleteSo many good ideas here, Anne. I need to make chili soon too as I have all the ingredients on hand and this is perfect chili weather.
ReplyDeleteI have already made the chili for the beginning of the month, and have frozen vegetable soup I made earlier too. I know it will not stay this cold, I but Iove soup meals and will make more as soon as I have used enough from the freezer to have the room to freeze them.
DeleteThat is a great list of foods. I never plan anything until the night before. Thank you for stopping over.
ReplyDeleteI plan but that does not mean I stick to a plan.
DeleteI love Snoopy! I'm sure Princess thinks she's going to starve sometimes. How nice to have a freezer full of meals.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
The freezer is filled with most of the fixings for a lot of meals, especially since it's just the two of us here.
DeleteWow, that is a lot of meals! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteThe freezer is stuffed and still have a tendency to overbuy. Its a bad combination.
Delete