Menu Planning Monday 5

Well, another week has passed so quickly. I decided to peruse my cookbooks for this weeks menu plan, and I shopped for it on Friday. I only spent $130 which is well below my goal of $150 so will see if I can last out the week without having to spend any more. I am back to work today (groan) but did achieve one of my goals which was to experiment with some lunchbox friendly recipes to reduce the cost of store-bought items. I will feature two of the recipes this week - Spinach and Carrot Slice (using my home grown spinach of course!) and Pizza Flavoured muffins.

Menu Plan

Monday - Meat Loaf with Mashed Potato and Vegies
Tuesday - Lemon Chicken with Quinoa
Wednesday - Creamy Avocado Chicken with Pasta
Thursday - Tuna and Tomato Patties with salad
Friday - Thai Beef Curry with Rice
Saturday - Chilli Prawns with Salad
Sunday - Baked Tropical Chicken with Roast Potatoes & Vegies

I am already set for tonight with the meatloaf prepared and in the fridge, ready to pop in the oven when I get home from gym tonight.

Spinach and Carrot Slice

You will need:

I bunch of Silverbeet or Spinach (approx 3 loose cupfuls, when chopped)
4 Eggs
1/2 x packet french onion soup mix
1 teaspoon crushed garlic
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup grated low fat cheese
3 cups grated carrot
1/2 onion finely chopped
3/4 cup self-raising flour
Cooking Spray
Extra 1/3 cup grated cheese

Remove stalks and chop spinach. Then place into bowl with a little water and microwave for 2-3 minutes. Drain and squeeze to remove all water.

In a large mixing bowl beat eggs then add french onion soup mix, garlic, parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup grated cheese and combine well.

Add in grated carrots, spinach, onions and flour. Stir well until combined, then place into a greased ovenproof dish.

Sprinkle cheese on top and bake for approx 40 mins a moderate oven or until browned on top and cooked through. Serve hot or cold.

Pizza Flavoured Muffins

You will need:

3 cups self raising flour, sifted
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 cups of grated cheddar cheese
150g ham chopped
2/3 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons tomato paste or pasta sauce
2 eggs
1 cup milk

Place the flour, baking powder, 1 cup of cheese and ham into a bowl. Mix to combine.

Place the oil, tomato paste, egg and milk in another bowl and whisk to combine.

Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture and stir until just combined.

Spoon the mixture into muffin pans. Mine are medium sized and I used cases. This mixture made 16 medium sized muffins. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top.

Bake in 180 degree oven for 30 minutes or until browned on top and they spring back when touched lightly in the centre.

It was a pleasure packing the boys lunches with some home-made and home grown produce. The boys want me to make meatlovers pizza muffins next time - with salami and bacon, so will experiment some more.

Hope you have a great Monday!