We had a lovely vacation. We ate some of what I thought we might (on last week's menu plan) and came home with no more than we left home with. That's always a challenge to me, not to bring home more than I left with.
I try to take down just enough food to carry us through three meals (supper, breakfast and lunch) and then we shop for the remaining meals once we arrive. We go into the store not with a list of ideas, but with a number of meals in mind. I knew we'd be eating out one meal, and so we planned to have 8 meals. Those meals were based on ease of preparation and clean-up, what we felt we wanted to eat, and how shocking the price of some items were so that we retrenched and thought things over again.
When we are on vacation, I have a whole separate amount of money set aside strictly for vacation food. I know that in the area where we stay, we will be paying more for food than we would at home. We prefer one particular grocery and its right in the 'vacation' district which means prices are higher than at a store in a more suburban area. I save money by watching for good sales on nicer cuts of meat (chops and steaks) here at home and freezing them to carry with us. I also pack condiments and foil, basic seasonings, oil, butter and such as that from my supplies here at home.
Of course, none of this has a thing to do with this week's menu plans but I just thought I'd share what we do and how we handle our vacation meals. This week, we're back to eating 'ordinary' or 'every day' sorts of meals. Steaks and chops and shrimp are nice but it's not every day fare by any means.
Now let me get down to the task of planning meals for us to eat this week. It's not going to be noticeably cooler. I'm ready to eat something other than summer foods. If I plan autumn meals will it make the temperature change any faster?
The only thing I need to purchase this week will be lettuce.
Chicken Cobbler, Coleslaw. This will use up the last of the rotisserie chicken we brought home with us from vacation.
Chili, Hamburger. It was late when we came in from church, visiting family. I was trying to figure out a quick meal and had settled on reheating the sole burger left from Thursday night's supper. I found a container of chili on the back porch when we arrived. Sam had sent Josh over with it. That was dinner as far as I was concerned. It all tasted great!
Brenda's Slow Cooker Kielbasa with Potatoes au Gratin and Peas. This is an all-in-one dish, cooked in the slow cooker and so very tasty. It's one of those deceptively simple recipes that is simply delicious.
Slow Cooker Short Ribs, Mashed Potatoes, Apple Hand Pies.
Alpine Swiss Chicken, Cranberry Sauce, roasted Brussels Sprouts, acorn squash and sweet potatoes.
Salisbury Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans.
Creamy Sausage and Pumpkin Pasta, Autumn Harvest Salad. I watched Becky at Acre Homestead make several baked pasta dishes last week and one of them was this Creamy Pumpkin Pasta. I happen to still have a can of pumpkin on the expired foods shelf that I'd like to use up. All the rest of the ingredients are on hand as well. I plan to reduce her recipe by at least 1/2.
Autumn harvest salad: I'll add a sliced apple and some dried cranberries to green salad.
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7 comments:
I was thinking about trying the pumpkin pasta recipe that Becky posted as well. We haven't eaten pumpkin in savory recipes before, so it'll be an adventure. How nice of Sam to send you some chili so you had a meal ready when you got home from vacation.
finding chili when you need a meal sounds like a wonderful gift!
I had a sweet and funny dream about you last week. In the dream, I came to your house and your family was with you and in your living room. They were all happy and welcoming. There was also a beautiful oak staircase in your living room that led up to your second floor. So, do y’all have plans to add a second floor to your home anytime soon?
We’ve had cooler weather for a week and it’s been nice. But when I looked at the forecast, I see next Sunday it is supposed to climb back up to 100°. That doesn’t seem too bad though considering all the damage so many people have right now from the hurricane
Gosh, once again your menu sounds fantastic. I'm going to save several of the ideas you've shared. Like Rhonda said, we've had a nice week last week and now it's back to hot here in Oklahoma.
So glad you Helene didn't cause you any damage or mess up your vacation!
We also will do much of our cooking on certain trips- but, at the disadvantage of the fact that we fly from the SW to New England so cannot bring much. Most AirBnBs will have some oil, salt, pepper, but beyond that… we have brought home parts of loaves of bread in our suitcases so they don’t get wasted! Salad dressing once, too, wrapped well.
We also will do much of our cooking on certain trips- but, at the disadvantage of the fact that we fly from the SW to New England so cannot bring much. Most AirBnBs will have some oil, salt, pepper, but beyond that… we have brought home parts of loaves of bread in our suitcases so they don’t get wasted! Salad dressing once, too, wrapped well.
Tammy, I have added chunks of pumpkin to stew and chili and I love the recipe for the Pumpkin, Chicken Enchiladas. The pumpkin is incredibly silky/creamy and holds the enchilada seasoning well. So I think this recipe of Becky's will be very good.
Rhonda, It was a lovely gift indeed and right on time.
LOL, no plans for a staircase but I'm glad to know that my family was happy, and you were enjoying your visit.
Our temperatures are not as high as y'alls but it's not going to be cool either. I really feel those south of us without electricity and fans and such.
Karla, Thank you. Just what no sleep at all will generate in my mind, lol. It does sound like a good menu, but I've already had to alter it as I have NO potatoes to mash nor instant ones either. So tonight we're having the sausage with cabbage and those fancy little baby potatoes that are different colors.
Erin, I was surprised to find salt and pepper in the condo, and they do complimentary coffee discs. They management provides paper towels, a sponge, dish detergent. Usually owners or previous guests will provide things like a hot pad (But not always so we carry our own!), coffee filters.
I'm be prone to bringing things home in my suitcase too, lol.
We always enjoyed shopping the local markets and cooking meals while on vacation. Eating in restaurants gets old very quickly.
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