Meal Planner: 9/10/2012

Since I have kind of gotten back to reality, I guess it is time to start meal planning again. I have one goal for the fall/winter months. Wait, that is a total lie, I have about one million goals but I am currently obsessing over this one particular goal...shiny red ball.

Where was I? Oh right. I want to make one soup a week. Pretty simple task right? It's those simple tasks that usually fall between the cracks for me. Soup is awesome in my house but usually we eat CANNED. Holy crap is that CPS out my window? All because I eat canned soup? People be cray.

Anyways, in an attempt to limit and eventually eliminate canned foods in our house (never going to happen) I plan on making a different soup each week. Kayleigh LOVES soup. How awesome is that? I mean it is a souper (did you like that one?) easy meal and is loaded with veggies. I know, slow your roll crazy people out there. I know it is also loaded with sodium, msg and other fine delicacies but I am TRYING. Give me a break.

So even though I can usually get Progresso soups on sale at Walgreens for like a buck a piece (I probably still will because it is so easy and yummy) I plan on making my own. This weeks selection:

MONDAY

Homestyle Veggie-Beef Soup:

• 1 pound ground beef (we have started substituting turkey because it is cheaper. We have about five lbs in the freezer so we will be using that instead).
• 1 onion, diced
• 6 red potatoes, finely diced
• 5 carrots, thinly sliced
• 3 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 zucchini, chopped
• 1 lb. baby spinach or kale
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained (You can also use frozen)
• 2 cups frozen green beans
• 1 (46 fluid ounce) bottle tomato-vegetable juice cocktail (I try and use the low sodium kind)
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1. In a large pot over medium heat, cook beef, onion and potatoes, covered, until beef is no longer pink and potatoes are tender, 10 to 15 minutes.
2. Drain beef mixture and return to pot with vegetables, juice cocktail, water, salt and pepper. Simmer over low heat 30 minutes, until flavors are well blended and soup is hot.  

TUESDAY

Garlic Parmesean Chicken and Noodles

WEDNESDAY

Crock Pot Cube Steak and Gravy

THURSDAY

EASY Crockpot Chicken and stuffing

FRIDAY

Farfalle con Piselli - This is a Teresa Guidice meal. I'm making it for a vegetarian friend who just had a little boy!

SATURDAY

EASY Calzone Rolls

SUNDAY

Leftover Day