Leo who blogs here has been trying out some of the recipes from my meal plans and blogged her feedback. It is fab to hear what another family honestly thinks about recipes from my blog. We've been tweeting about meal planning too and I'm sure she'll be coming up with plans of her own before long. Do take a look at her blog it is gorgeous!
The weather here is cold, snowy and generally unpleasant so we'll be having a comfort food inspired Meal Plan this week. This week leads up to Easter so from Thursday evening onwards everyone will be at home. We'll be busy with events at Church over Easter so meals are low faff for when we are busy or due to be home late. I've got some portions of soup in the freezer and will make more Root Vegetable Soup and Minestrone Soup for lunches and after school snacks.
The weather here is cold, snowy and generally unpleasant so we'll be having a comfort food inspired Meal Plan this week. This week leads up to Easter so from Thursday evening onwards everyone will be at home. We'll be busy with events at Church over Easter so meals are low faff for when we are busy or due to be home late. I've got some portions of soup in the freezer and will make more Root Vegetable Soup and Minestrone Soup for lunches and after school snacks.
My 3 daughters will be having school dinners this week which will make things easier and breakfasts will be porridge or toast with fruit for afters. Given that there will be a shed load of chocolate and Hot Cross Buns consumed over Easter there will be no baked treats for the bulk of the week.
The cost of our shopping this week was £50.53 from Asda on 24/03/13. I used My Supermarket to compare the prices and our shopping would've cost £62.15 from Sainsbury's and £62.55 from Tesco.
The cost of our shopping this week was £50.53 from Asda on 24/03/13. I used My Supermarket to compare the prices and our shopping would've cost £62.15 from Sainsbury's and £62.55 from Tesco.
Dinners
Vegetable and Quinoa Curry (Monday)
1 onion, finely sliced
1 pepper, deseeded and finely diced
1 stick celery finely diced
4 Tblsp curry paste
400g can light coconut milk
400ml milk
750g frozen mixed vegetables
200g quinoa, rinsed
Put a large saucepan onto a moderate heat, add 2 Tblsp water then cook the onion, pepper, celery and curry paste for about 5 minutes until the onion has softened. Add the milks to the pan and warm through for 5 minutes before adding the quinoa and vegetables. Bring everything to the boil and simmer for 10 - 15 minutes until the quinoa is cooked through. Season to taste and serve with rice or flatbreads.
Sticky Chicken Portions (Tuesday)
8 chicken pieces, bone in and skin on (I'll used drumsticks)
2 Tblsp low salt soy sauce
1 Tblsp honey
1 tsp tomato paste/puree
1 Tblsp dijon mustard
Cut a few slashes in each of the chicken pieces. This will help the marinade penetrate the meat and also mean they cook quicker. Mix together the soy sauce, homey, tomato paste and mustard. Pour over the chicken then massage it in thoroughly. Leave to marinate for half an hour at room temperature or overnight/all day in the fridge.
Preheat your oven to 200C/180C Fan. Put the chicken into a roasting dish and cook for 35 - 40 minutes until cooked through. I serve ours with potato wedges or cooked rice and steamed vegetables.
Three Bean Pie (Wednesday)
1 Tblsp oil
1 onion, finely diced
1 pepper, deseeded and finely diced
3 cloves garlic, crushed
3 x 400g tins 3 bean mix in water, drained
5 Tblsp creme fraiche
2 tsp dried thyme leaves
100g wholemeal breadcrumbs
50g grated cheese, I used cheddar
Preheat your oven grill to high. In a fryingpan over a moderate heat, soften the onion and pepper for about 5 minutes before adding the garlic and cooking for a further minute or two. Add the drained tins of beans, creme fraiche and 1 teaspoon of dried thyme. Season to taste and cook until everything has heated through.
Pour the bean mix into a large baking dish. Mix the remaining teaspoon of dried thyme with the breadcrumbs and grated cheese. Sprinkle over the bean mix then put the dish under the preheated grill. Keep an eye on it and cook until the breadcrumbs are crisp and golden. I serve ours with steamed vegetables.
Simmered Mince Many Ways (Thursday, Friday Saturday)
Roast Chicken Pieces with Roast Vegetables and Yorkshire Puddings (Sunday)
Shopping List
31 items: £50.53
Packets & Cereals
1x Mornflake Superfast Oats (2Kg) £1.88
1x ASDA Smartprice Spaghetti (500g) 19p
1x Asda Wholefoods Strong White Bread Flour (1.5Kg) 80p
1x ASDA Wholemeal Bread Flour (1.5Kg) £1.26
1x ASDA Smartprice Long Grain Rice (1Kg) 40p
1x Asda Home Baking Easy Bake Yeast (6 per pack - 42g) 65p
1x Great Scot Quinoa (300g) £2.18
Frozen
1x ASDA Frozen Mixed Vegetables (1Kg) £1.00
2x ASDA Smartprice Mixed Vegetables (1Kg) 75p
Tins, Jars & Cooking
5x ASDA Smartprice Chopped Tomatoes (400g) £1.55
1x ASDA Chosen by You Chilli Beans (290g) 68p
1x ASDA Double Concentrated Tomato Puree (200g) 55p
3x ASDA Mexican Style Bean Mix in Water (400g) £1.59
1x Kingfisher Reduced Fat Coconut Milk (400ml) £1.19 was £1.40
1x Sharwood's Tikka Paste (290g) £1.00
Dairy & Eggs
1x ASDA Crème Fraîche (300ml) £1.10
5x ASDA British Whole Milk 4 Pints (2.27L) £5.00
1x Cathedral City Extra Mature Cheddar (350g) £2.00
Meat, Fish & Poultry
2x ASDA Butcher's Selection British Beef Mince (500g) £4.00
1x Banham Poultry Chicken Thighs (1Kg) £3.50 any 2
FOR £7.00
1x Banham Poultry Chicken Drumsticks (1Kg) £3.50 any 2 FOR £7.00
1x ASDA Butcher's Selection Smoked Bacon Lardons (200g) £1.28
Fruit & Vegetables
20 ASDA Smartprice Apples by Weight (100g) £2.36
20 ASDA Bananas by Weight (100g) £1.36
2x ASDA White Potatoes (2.5Kg) £3.50 2 FOR £3.50
1x ASDA Celery 89p
2x ASDA Garlic Loose 60p
1x ASDA Smartprice Peppers (700g) £1.77
2x ASDA Brown Onions (1Kg) £1.00
1x ASDA Carrots (1.2Kg) £1.00
Drinks
1x Echo Falls Merlot (187ml) £2.00 any 4 FOR £5.00
Prices and special offers reflect those of the online grocery websites,
and are correct as of 24 March 2013.
Prices may vary in different in-store locations.
Don't forget to check out the Meal Planning Monday linky with At Home With Mrs M.
Another fantastic meal plan as ever.Hope you have a great week
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