MMC 30-Minute Menus for January 30, 2011

I don't know about you but my budget is having a rough time right now with all the heating bills! The menus this week are a quick fix to a tight budget with a 'cook once - eat three times' combination along with less expensive menus throughout the week. Inexpensive doesn't mean ho-hum; these menus are just a flavorful and hearty as ever!

The Friday menu, Chicken Taco Ring, is just plain fun for the whole family! Everyone can spice-up their meal just like they like it.

The Saturday night menu, Hot Brats with German Potato Salad, has an easy prep that makes it great for a family night but is also tasty enough for a casual company night! If you are having company, I would recommend the Tex-Mex 'Party in a Bag' appetizer course consisting of: a Sharp Cheddar Wedge or Slices with Farmhouse Chutney; Buffalo Wings and Celery, Carrots,Ripe Olives, Sliced Apples with Blue Cheese Dressing; Tortilla Chips and Simple Water Crackers; Smokehouse Almonds. This will keep everything easy and casual plus leave you time to enjoy your guests, too!

Do you have a party in your plans? If so, check out the latest feature on my website - 'Party in a Bag'! The Bags are designed to help you pull your party together in 30 minutes - flat! I love to entertain but don't often have the time required to pull off a big, fancy 'do', so, over the years, I have learned a few short-cuts; I will share them with you.

If you are planning a dinner party or family gathering, take a look at the Holiday and Special '30-Minute Complete Menu Plans' on my website. You will find menu ideas to help with your celebration or 'do'.

The Family Meals '30-Minute Complete Menu Plans' are developed to help with both weeknight and special dinner prep. I create Complete Menu Plans using the 30-minute menus from this blog:

• The Complete Menu Plans give you recipes and step-by-step instructions for preparing the complete meal (not just the entree as most meal plans do) in 30 minutes - flat! I even include a grocery list to save unnecessary trips to the grocery store.
• These are eComplete Menu Plans so you can purchase the menu plan now and use it for dinner tonight!
• You won't have to spend your precious time thinking of menu ideas and then looking up the recipes - I will send it all directly to you!
• You can purchase a Complete Menu Plan for the introductory price of .25 each.
• You can purchase a Complete Menu Plan for the introductory price of .25 each. If you have found my 30-minute menus helpful, then you must check out the 30-Minute Complete Menu Plans!

You will find that I use several cooking methods, mix and match, to get dinner on the table quickly! (The ingredients in parenthesis show some of my quick-prep steps.) You can always substitute your favorite made-from-scratch recipes when you have more time.

I hope you have a great week!

Sunday:
Cheese Stuffed Jumbo Shells (vegetarian: jarred marinara sauce, shredded cheeses)
Mixed Greens and Pear Salad (bagged salad greens, canned pears)
Pineapple Upside Down Cupcakes (yellow cake mix, canned crushed pineapple)

Monday:
Turkey Breast with Herbed Wine Sauce (crock pot; save some turkey for Wednesday and Friday)
Mashed Potatoes (frozen mashed potato steamers; purchase extra steamers for Thursday)
Green Beans
Pecan Tarts (purchased pecan tarts, whipped cream topping; save some whipped cream topping for Thursday and Friday)

Tuesday:
Tuna Burgers
Buns and Condiments (purchased sandwich buns, jarred condiments)
Cheesy Potato Wedges (shredded cheddar cheese)
Slaw (bagged slaw mix, jarred slaw dressing; purchase extra for Saturday)
Rocky Road Brownies (boxed brownie mix)

Wednesday:
Mexi-Mac Turkey with Double Cheese (turkey from Monday, boxed mac&cheese mix, shredded cheese; purchase extra cheese for Friday)
Fresh Broccoli
Cookie S'mores (purchased cookies, bagged chocolate morsels, mini-marshmallows)

Thursday:
Shepherd's Pie (frozen mashed potato steamers, canned mixed vegetables and soup)
Waldorf Salad
Cherry Fluff (canned cherry pie filling and pineapple, whipped cream topping)

Friday:
Turkey Taco Ring Bake (turkey from Monday; refrigerated crescent rolls, shredded cheese, canned tomatoes)
Salsa and Sour Cream Toppings with Shredded Lettuce (jarred salsa, bagged shredded lettuce)
Refried Beans (canned beans)
Red Onion - Orange Salad (canned Mandarin orange sections)
Heavenly Hash (canned fruits, frozen whipped topping)

Saturday:
Hot Brats (fully cooked brats)
German Potato Salad (canned potatoes)
Cole Slaw (shredded slaw mix, jarred cole slaw dressing)
Apple Cobbler (canned apple pie filling, puff pastry)

Get inspired for your weekly menus at OrgJunkie!

I sincerely hope you have fun with your meal planning and preparation,
Elizabeth Randall and Family