This is something we really try to do. Our grocery list is virtually the same each week with a couple additions for specific meals during the week. As long as you have a good variety of ingredients in the house you won’t be tempted to order in or go out to eat. One thing I always mean to do is take out a couple packages of meat so that the next day when I forget (because I always do) there is already something thawed. Use my list below as a guideline. Add fresh produce and baked breads and special cuts of meats or seafood. Add staples that you know you will eat, if you hate black beans don’t buy them but if you love potstickers stock up when there is a sale.
Of course you need to start with a stocked pantry and freezer. These are the staples we keep in the house.
Beans of all varieties (kidney, cannellini, black, pigeon peas, refried)
Tomatoes of all varieties (diced, stewed, puree, sauce, paste)
Pasta of different shapes (ziti, penne, ditalini, egg noodles)
Stuffing
Rice, white and brown
Onions
Potatoes (russet and sweet)
Garlic (minced in the fridge)
Tortilla shells (burrito and soft taco size)
Flavored Vinegars (rice wine, balsamic, red wine, garlic herb white, thyme red wine)
Sauces, Condiments and Marinades (General Tsao’s, Bbq, Teriyaki, Herb & Garlic, mustards, Salsas) or make your own with herbs, oil, vinegar, citrus juice
Herbs and Spices
Chicken breasts individually frozen
Pork Roasts
Ground Turkey Breast
Turkey Meatballs
Potstickers, raviolis, tortellini, pierogies
Cheese (pizza blend, mozzarella, American, grated parmesan)
Frozen Veggies (peas, corn, broccoli, edamame, green beans, diced peppers, spinach)
4 Burrito size Tortillas
1 can refried beans
1 can of black beans, rinsed and drained
3-4 chicken breasts, diced and cooked, seasoned with Cumin, oregano, salt and pepper, garlic powder
1 cup shredded cheese (pizza blend is what we use) plus ½ cup additional cheese for topping
1 cup salsa
on a baking sheet lined with foil place 1 tortilla, spread 1/3 of refried beans then 1/3 black beans then 1/3 chicken then 1/3 cheese then 1/3 salsa all over to edges.
Repeat until all ingredients have been used and you end with a plain tortilla
Sprinkle additional cheese on top, Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until HOT
Garnish with sour cream, green onions, side of rice or ice cold margaritas LOL
1 ½ ground turkey breast
1 package stuffing mix, any flavor
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried rosemary
½ cup broth (if needed)
Mix ground meat and herbs and stuffing till well blended, add broth if mixture seems very dry
Form into 6 patties, think meatloaf slices
Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Serve with steamed broccoli and green beans with lemon juice and garlic.
General Tsao’s Chicken
3-4 Chicken Breasts cut into bite size pieces
½ lb carrots cut into strips
1 medium onion, cut into thin strips
1 cup General Tsao’s sauce (trader joe’s is yummy)
1 tsp ground ginger (fresh is better if you have it)
½ cup broth
In large skillet on medium heat cook carrots and onions in drizzle of oil for 5 minutes then add broth, continue to cook for 10 minutes. Crank up heat and add chicken, stir around for 5 minutes till almost cooked, add sauce and ginger and lots of black pepper. Turn down to simmer and let cook for 10 minutes.
Serve with Rice. Cook Rice with broth instead of water, when done add 1 cup frozen peas, put lid back on and let sit for 5 minutes. Add couple shakes of Rice Wine Vinegar and ¼ tsp of ground ginger, Fluff with fork and serve with General Tsao’s Chicken.
