Back to Basics
The contents of this weeks Produce Box were not among my family's list of favorites. So we skipped this weeks delivery. Now what is a girl suppose to do without her weekly Produce Box? That brought me back to basics.
Before I discovered the Produce Box and later in the early winter, I will be left to my own devices to plan my weekly menu. Where do I start?
My freezer and refrigerator are my first stops. Based on what I have stock-piled from previous meat sales will begin to shape my weekly menu. Any fresh produce that needs to be used up? This too will influence my menu planning. My last kitchen stop will be my cupboards and pantry. A couple of cans of black beans? Might inspire me to make chili or a Mexican dish. Lastly, I take into account what I currently have on hand and delve into my cookbooks and the internet for final inspiration.
Before I discovered the Produce Box and later in the early winter, I will be left to my own devices to plan my weekly menu. Where do I start?
My freezer and refrigerator are my first stops. Based on what I have stock-piled from previous meat sales will begin to shape my weekly menu. Any fresh produce that needs to be used up? This too will influence my menu planning. My last kitchen stop will be my cupboards and pantry. A couple of cans of black beans? Might inspire me to make chili or a Mexican dish. Lastly, I take into account what I currently have on hand and delve into my cookbooks and the internet for final inspiration.
Of course outside factors will shape my weekly menu too. Wednesdays my husband is usually not home for dinner. Therefore, I plan a simple meal or even a meal he isn't too fond of that evening.
It is Summertime a
nd fresh produce is bountiful at local farm stands and farmer's markets. I plan on making what has become a weekly stop for me at DJ's Berry Patch to pick up fresh fruits and vegetables.
nd fresh produce is bountiful at local farm stands and farmer's markets. I plan on making what has become a weekly stop for me at DJ's Berry Patch to pick up fresh fruits and vegetables.Wednesday- My girls and I are on our own for dinner tonight. At present time I am not sure what simple meal I will whip up but a good guess would be grilled cheese sandwiches or breakfast for dinner. Or maybe I'll treat the girls to Chick-fil-a (their favorite restaurant).
Thursday- Today's meal was actually the last dinner I decided upon. I think reading a recent Facebook post from a friend planted the inspiration of tonight's dinner, Flour Tortilla Pizzas. I'll use shredded mozzarella cheese, my homemade tomato sauce, slices of fresh tomato & onion and sliced chicken to make these up. I will season and cook the chicken earlier in the day and then use slices for the pizzas. I will also add some herbs and spices to kick up the flavor for our pizzas! I buy chicken breasts in bulk at BJ's so we always have chicken on hand. I made up homemade sauce over the past 2 weeks, so that was already on hand. I picked up some of the fresh produce on my weekly visit to DJ's Berry Patch.
Thursday- Today's meal was actually the last dinner I decided upon. I think reading a recent Facebook post from a friend planted the inspiration of tonight's dinner, Flour Tortilla Pizzas. I'll use shredded mozzarella cheese, my homemade tomato sauce, slices of fresh tomato & onion and sliced chicken to make these up. I will season and cook the chicken earlier in the day and then use slices for the pizzas. I will also add some herbs and spices to kick up the flavor for our pizzas! I buy chicken breasts in bulk at BJ's so we always have chicken on hand. I made up homemade sauce over the past 2 weeks, so that was already on hand. I picked up some of the fresh produce on my weekly visit to DJ's Berry Patch.
Friday- I plan on cooking up Risotto with Tomato, Corn and Basil along with some Italian Sausage for dinner. A bottle of wine and fresh bread will nicely round out tonights meal. I enjoy making homemade risotto so of course I have an ample bag in my cupboard. Since I had a weekly menu plan, I was able to pick up the produce for this recipe while I made my trip to DJ's Berry Patch.
Saturday- This has become one of my favorite new dishes, Squash and Zucchini Burritos. I discovered this dish through a friend. There after, I added my twist and viola! A sumptuous summer dish. I will not use all the tortillas for Thursday's meal so I will use the remaining burrito wraps for this meal. I had canned black beans and salsa verde in my pantry. And of course with some pre-planning, the produce I picked up on my trip to the farm stand.
Sunday- I plan on
making Grilled Shrimp Skewers. The recipe actually calls for apple but we have always omitted it. The spicy yet sweet flavors of the marinade are to die for! This has quickly become one our favorite ways to prepare grilled shrimp. I serve it with the remaining risotto I made Friday and a green salad. I usually have frozen shrimp in my freezer.
Monday- Again I buy most of my meats in bulk at BJ's. Unless the local grocery store is running a particular sale on a certain meat I find the prices normally lower at bulk stores. With an extra freezer in our garage storage isn't a problem. I recently restocked pork chops.
Tonight we will be having Grilled Rosemary Pork Chops accompanied with Southern Green Beans and Rosemary Red Potatoes.
Southern Green Beans
4 slices bacon
1 large onion sliced
4 cans green beans
salt and black pepper
Fry bacon, remove bacon before it becomes crispy.
In bacon fat fry onion until tender.
Pour 4 cans of green beans into pot. If more water is needed add until green beans are covered.
Season with salt and pepper.
Add bacon.
Bring to boil then let Simmer for about 30-45 minutes. (add water as necessary)
Tuesday- There is good chance tonight will be leftovers to make room for our next Produce Box delivery!
**pictures of food reproduced from allrecipes.com to depict recipe results**
Sunday- I plan on
making Grilled Shrimp Skewers. The recipe actually calls for apple but we have always omitted it. The spicy yet sweet flavors of the marinade are to die for! This has quickly become one our favorite ways to prepare grilled shrimp. I serve it with the remaining risotto I made Friday and a green salad. I usually have frozen shrimp in my freezer.Monday- Again I buy most of my meats in bulk at BJ's. Unless the local grocery store is running a particular sale on a certain meat I find the prices normally lower at bulk stores. With an extra freezer in our garage storage isn't a problem. I recently restocked pork chops.
Tonight we will be having Grilled Rosemary Pork Chops accompanied with Southern Green Beans and Rosemary Red Potatoes.
Southern Green Beans
4 slices bacon
1 large onion sliced
4 cans green beans
salt and black pepper
Fry bacon, remove bacon before it becomes crispy.
In bacon fat fry onion until tender.
Pour 4 cans of green beans into pot. If more water is needed add until green beans are covered.
Season with salt and pepper.
Add bacon.
Bring to boil then let Simmer for about 30-45 minutes. (add water as necessary)
Tuesday- There is good chance tonight will be leftovers to make room for our next Produce Box delivery!
**pictures of food reproduced from allrecipes.com to depict recipe results**
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