meal planning, cant think what to have

melie3

hi all,
thinking about fridays meal plan, but cant think of what to do this week, and not to spend too much money.
feeding a family of 5,roughly i have done a plan, but feel uninspired, and want some ideas
so ive got
sun/roast chicken, veg, puds, roast pots
mon/ chicken curry and rice with leftover chicken (not sure what to do with regards to chicken, sainsburys west country chicken is £4 per kilo, about £8 for a large bird to do 2 dinners. tempted to gofor £5 large bird.. or should i check out butchers?
tues/ sausage casserole pots veg
weds/shephards pie
thurs/was going to attempt HM burgers and chips
fri/ fish fingers, white sauce new pots veg.
with all the other stuff to buy,its coming up at about £70. wanted to spend a bit less. its just payday, and i feel purse strings have loosened lol. i used to love spending money, i now hate it!!! my veg im going to try and use farm shop, and buy a big bag of spuds, as we must spend a £5 a week on potatoes:eek: . ive had scary experiences at the butchers before, when you have a price per kilo, ask for x amount and then told its like 8 quid and get same amount in asda for 2 quid. that is not mse!! im prepared to spend a bit more if its better, but how do you know when the butchers are honest? gotta do some homework i think
soz for long boring post!!
mel

angie_loves_veg

I think that it would be worth your while reading through some of the meal planning threads on the forum - there are some great ideas, especially for a small budget.

For what it is worth, I notice that you have meat on your menu each day, so if you are looking to buy good quality meat, this is going to be reflected in your costs ...

purpleivy

I would reduce costs by having a day or two with low cost options... Pasta with sauce, hm soup & good bread followed by a pud, or our family favourites, jacket spuds or egg and beans on toast.

liney

Have an 'Egg' day = Egg and chips, omlette, quiche, baked eggs, scrambled egg on toast, Egg and Tuna salad ... I do this most weeks as a cheap meal.

Also have a pasta night, so this can be lasagna/Spag bol whereby i make the meat sauce in a huge batch and assembly from the freezer, macoroni cheese, various pasta bakes, pasta with pesto.

Make and freeze portions of soup with all left over veg each week, and use as either a starter to pad out a meal, or on the nights people aren't very hungry as a main meal. Technically a freeby as its all made from left overs. Also do you like bubble and squeak? Make patties with left overs for supper; again technically a freeby.

moanymoany

Here is my menu plan for January. I am an experienced OSer and I have gradually reduced my monthly spending. My meals are tasty and nutritious.

January 2008 menu plan


9) Mock Goose

10) Frozen Quiche

11) Frittata

12) Pizza – frozen base

13) Workman’s Goose – breast of lamb

14) Frozen Quiche

15) Dhal Curry and bulgar wheat

16) Homity Pie – frozen pastry

17) Frittata

18) Bacon and Pasta Bake

19) Quiche – frozen pastry

20) Toad in the Hole

21) Bean recipe

22) Fish

23) Vege burgers

24) Pizza

25) Mock Goose

26) Mince dish

27) Baked macaroni and cheese

28) Stovies

29) Pasta and garlic with bacon

30) Vegetable hotpot

31) fish fingers

sunset_gold

Morning Moanymoany,

What a meal planner, I'm ashamed to say I only do a week at a time!

What are Mock Goose, Frittata, Homity Pie and Stovies please? SG

Pink.

Hi melie3,

If you're ever stuck for inspiration it's always worth a look at The Complete Menu Plans Collection

Pink

sunset_gold

Thanks Pink, there are so many links there I'll never be lost for inspiration now. Under Old School Recipes there is a mention for Chocolate Sponge with Chocolate Sauce and Chocolate Custard, does anyone have these recipes please? SG