There are signs that summer is nearing an end. The mornings are cooler, the leaves are beginning to change color and we are no longer permitted to wear white. I love fall. I love the return to a routine. Part of that routine, is cooking and eating more meals at home.
I’ve come to find out that most people don’t mind cooking, they just don’t know what to make…..which is why I try to meal plan each week. Actually, I’ve been successfully meal planning since 2012. I started a blog back in the day and I would create a 28 day meal plan every month. My brain thrives on routine and organization. It’s comfortable with predictability. Meal planning has increased my efficiency and eliminated excessive trips to the grocery store.
I should be getting a pay increase sometime soon.
But seriously, it makes “cooking” so much easier if you plan ahead.
Here is my rule of thumb each week, for what it’s worth:
1 Chicken/Poultry Meal per week
1 Beef Meal (ground or something “fancier” like steak or brisket)
1 Fish or Seafood Meal
1 Soup Night, Pasta Meal or Meatless Entree
1 Pork Meal
This is my formula and it works for our family.
I plan out our meals before going to the grocery store. Then I can make sure that I have all of the necessary ingredients on hand.
I realize not everyone has the time or the interest to cook complex meals from scratch. I have included several ready made options that you can find at Johnnies. It’s a mix of homemade and ready made meals so that hopefully some or all of the meals will fit into your schedule too.
I still haven’t figured out how to eliminate or reduce all of the dirty dishes that come with home cooked meals. Send suggestions my way.
Week One.
Monday. Fully Cooked Beef Brisket: Just heat and serve. It’s perfect everytime.
Tuesday. Chicken in Basil Cream
https://www.johnniesinc.com/web/wp-admin/post.php?post=8867&action=edit
Wednesday. Mushroom Pork Tenderloin
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Thursday. Cajun Blackened Fish Taco Bowls
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Friday. Soup Night: Johnnies has more than 30 varieties of frozen fully prepared soups. Just add water and heat. My personal favorite, the Italian Wedding Soup or the Shrimp and Roasted Corn Chowder.
Side: Colossal Fries. Oven baked and crispy every time.
Week Two.
Monday. Fully Cooked BBQ Pulled Pork
Tuesday. Seabest Butterfly Breaded Shrimp.
Wednesday. Soft Beef Tacos
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Thursday. Pizza: Here is my favorite homemade (but very quick and easy) pizza dough.
https://www.johnniesinc.com/web/wp-admin/post.php?post=2375&action=edit
Friday. Wing Night. Johnnies offers both regular wings and boneless. Precooked and raw. Everyone loves wing night, especially during football season.
Dessert: Pellman’s Cheesecake. Johnnies stocks several flavors and even offers a box of assorted flavors. The raspberry and chocolate chip are still one of my favorites.
*To the best of my ability, I have tried to indicate all ingredients, products and equipment that are available at Johnnies in Bold Print.