Well here we are in another week.  I must say, my pantry and freezer are looking pretty good...mostly because we got to use very little out of them last week.  We'll do better this week, because I have a very valid excuse for staying at home and enjoying my own home cooking.  Kay needs to rest up after a weekend spent in the hospital.  I'll start the week off with a repeat of what I'd planned to make at the end of last week.  We just never got to have meals at home and therefore the menus move forward to this week.  Then I'll add in a few new menu plans using items we have on hand.  My only plans for purchasing this week are fresh tomatoes and peaches from our local packing shed.

Monday:  Pork Tenderloin, Peach Salsa, Yellow Rice and Black Beans, Green Salad

I never got to make this meal last week and I admit it sounded awfully good when I was digging in the freezer and found that pork tenderloin.  Typically I wouldn't buy the tenderloin, as it is too pricey for my budget, but this came from the reduced price bin.  Still a bit high, but under my $3/pound limit, and so an okay choice for the tight budget we had to work with last pay period.  I like that tenderloin is small and therefore doesn't need to cook very long and is incredibly tender.  I discovered the meat was injected with a 'flavor solution' which was in very small print.  I seasoned the meat with cumin, oregano and chili powder, then browned on all sides in a cast iron skillet, which I then popped into the oven for twenty minutes.  It was perfect.

I diced peaches, mixed with lime juice and zest, sweet vidalia onion, and minced jalapenos.  Let me tell you, this was good!  We had this meal midday today and Chance who normally would ask "What's this?  Have I had it before?  Will I like it?" didn't ask any of those questions, just started eating and saying "Boy this is good..."  Well it was!  Oddly it was the yellow rice they complained of, saying it was too spicy for their taste.  Kay gave me a tiny portion from her plate and it was spicy hot.  No clue why, it was the same brand we normally buy. 

Tuesday:  Smoked Chicken with Oriental Sauce, Stir Fried Vegetables, Steamed Broccoli

Don't ask me how to make the Oriental sauce, because I haven't a clue.  A friend of ours makes it and it's awesome.  When he made up the last batch he put aside a whole pint of the stuff for us.  I am using it today only because Chance insisted we be so stingy with the previous gift that we have a bit of overflow of sauce in the fridge. 

I'll toss shredded cabbage, onions and peppers into the frying pan and cook with a bit of fresh ginger and garlic.  If I'd remembered to buy egg roll wrappers, I'd have prepared egg rolls to go with this meal, but since I didn't and I'm working on a pantry challenge we'll just make do with the vegetable stir fry.

Wednesday:  Vegetable Beef Soup, Peach Sundaes

Chance back to work today and we'll have a big dinner out with Mama and Granny today.  But homemade vegetable soup, made with frozen beef broth, and 1/4 pound cooked ground beef will be our supper.  Kay will eat homemade soup when she refuses every other food in the house.  I'll make a huge pot and freeze some for later.  I like to have a meal's worth in the freezer at all times, just because it's so superior to canned soup.

Thursday:  Zucchini Lasagna, Green Salad, Garlic Toast

No lasagna noodles on hand, but plenty of zucchini that I picked up from the produce manager's reduced price bin at the grocery.  I'll cut the zucchini into long thin slices and layer with tomato sauce, cheeses.  It's a meatless meal that everyone will love.

Friday:  Oven Fried Chicken, Potato Salad, Green Peas, Sliced Tomatoes, Corn Muffins

Boneless skinless breasts are dipped in egg wash and then rolled in dry bread crumbs and baked in a hot oven to 'fry' without grease.  Homemade potato salad and sliced tomatoes are wonderful side dishes.  I'll make green peas with minty butter sauce just for something different.

Saturday:  Kid's Favorite Casserole, Leftover Corn Muffins, Pineapple Salad

This week is all about tempting Kay's picky appetite.  I know she'll eat this all in one dish casserole of green beans layered with ketchup and onion seasoned ground beef, then mashed potatoes.  We'll reheat the corn muffins and make a pineapple salad to go alongside.  Pear or Peach Salad would also do, if you haven't got canned pineapple on hand. 

Sunday:  Beef Shanks with Vegetable Medley, Mashed Potato Cakes, Green Lettuces Salad

Another item from the reduced price meats bins, beef shanks.  The label said to braise and cook slowly.  I thought they'd make a nice alternative to short ribs in one of our favorite crockpot meals.  Instead of the usual mashed potatoes, I'll make extra on Saturday and make potato pancakes.  Kay loves the crispy fried cakes as a side dish.  And a salad of mixed greens from the fridge.