So, here’s the menus and shopping lists to go with them.  I’m in the mood for pasta, I guess because almost every day is pasta of some kind or other.  Enjoy!

Day 1: Chicken and Biscuit Kabobs p. 620, Mixed Vegetables, Green Salad, Sliced Pears

Day 2: Fettuccine with Chicken p. 620, Green Salad, Green Beans, Raspberries and Cream

Day 3: Spaghetti with Sauce and Meatballs p. 416, French Bread, Green Salad, Peaches and Cream (notice a trend here?)

Day 4: Meat Loaf p. 377, Carrots, Baked Potatoes, Sliced Apples

Day 5: Tex-Mex Tortilla Soup p. 554, Buttered Toast, Sliced Oranges

Day 6: Fish Fillets (I’m just using frozen ones, I’m pretty busy, lately), Broccoli and Cauliflower mix, Rice

Day 7: Lasagna (I’m just using a frozen one, but you can make it from scratch if you have time), Green Salad, French Bread

Shopping List

Produce

• 4 Medium Zucchini or Yellow Summer Squash
• Green Salad (enough for the week)
• 3 Pears
• 1 Pint Raspberries
• 4 Onions
• 3 Green Sweet Peppers
• Celery
• Fresh Parsley
• Fresh Cilantro
• Jalapeño Chile Pepper
• 6 Fresh Peaches
• 1 lb. Carrots
• 6 Potatoes
• 3 Apples
• 3 Oranges
• 1 Avocado
• 2 Limes

Dry/Canned Goods

• 2 Cans Green Beans
• 3 (14.5 oz.) Cans Diced Tomatoes
• 6 oz. Can Tomato Paste
• 8 oz. Spaghetti
• 2 (9 oz.) Packages of Sweet Red Pepper Fettuccine
• 7 oz. Jar Oil Packed Dried Tomato Strips or Pieces
• 3 (14 oz.) Cans Reduced Sodium Chicken Broth
• Tortilla Chips
• Rice

Cold

• 9 Refrigerated Buttermilk Country Biscuits
• Butter
• 2 Pints Half and Half
• Eggs
• Milk
• 2.5 lbs. Ground Beef
• 12 oz. Package Skinless Boneless Chicken Breast Strips (or buy regular breasts and slice them yourself)
• 1.25 lbs. Skinless, Boneless Chicken Thighs or Breast Halves
• 1 Cup Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese

Frozen

• 9 Frozen Cooked Breaded Chicken Breast Chunks
• Mixed Vegetables
• Corn
• Broccoli and Cauliflower Mix
• 6 Fish Fillets (or more if you are big eaters)
• Lasagna (big enough to feed your family or buy the stuff to make it from scratch)

Bakery

• Bread
• 2 Loaves French Bread

Make Sure You Have: honey, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, black pepper, salt, 2 cloves garlic, cooking oil, basil, oregano, marjoram, sugar, dry breadcrumbs, ketchup, brown sugar, dry mustard, chili powder, cumin

Photo credit:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/jshj/824608884/

Family Fitness Challenge

Let’s play this summer and get fit at the same time.  I’m excited for fun ideas to do with my kids to keep us all happy and healthy.

Dinner Menus

Day 1:  Ham and Bean Soup p. 558, Onion Dinner Rolls p. 152, Orange Sections

Day 2:  Baked Potatoes with Ham and Sour Cream, Peas, Sliced Apples

Day 3:  Quick Onion and Herb Pot Roast p.614 (if you want to save even more, just roast your own roast instead of buying a pre-cooked one),  Mashed Potatoes p. 587, Gravy p. 404, Fruit Crisp p. 273

Day 4:  French Dip Sandwiches with Cheese and Veggies p. 382 (use leftover roast beef), Strawberries with Creamy Marshmallow Dip for Fruit p. 64

Day 5:  Hot Beef in Gravy over Rice (use leftover roast beef), Broccoli, Five-Cup Fruit Salad p. 508

Day 6:  Baked Chicken (cook an extra chicken for tomorrow’s dinner), Rice, Corn, Five-Cup Fruit Salad

Day 7:  Old Fashioned Chicken Noodle Soup p. 554, Applesauce Bars p. 266

Shopping List

Produce

• Celery
• 6 Onions
• Green Onions
• Carrots
• 3 Oranges
• 5 Pounds Baking Potatoes
• 9 Apples, Peaches, Pears, or Apricots
• 3 Apples
• Strawberries
• Fresh Basil, Oregano, or Thyme
• Fresh Parsley
• Sliced Mushrooms
• Green Pepper

Dry/Canned Goods

• 1 Cup Dry Navy Beans
• Chopped Pecans
• Coconut
• 2 (14 oz.) Can Beef Broth
• 1 Pound Rice
• 8 oz. Can Pineapple Chunks
• 15 oz. Jar Applesauce
• 11 oz. Can Mandarin Orange Sections
• Tiny Marshmallows
• Egg Noodles
• 6 Cups Powdered Sugar

Cold

• Milk
• Butter
• Eggs
• 24 oz. Sour Cream
• 2 – 8 oz. Packages Cream Cheese
• 6 Slices Provolone Cheese
• Ham
• 2 Whole Roasting Chickens
• 2 or 3 – 16 or 17 oz. Cooked Beef Pot Roast With Juices (or 3-5 pound raw roast to save money)
• 1-1/2 Pound Meaty Ham Bone or Meaty Smoked Pork Hocks

Frozen

• Frozen Peas
• Broccoli
• Corn

Bakery

• 6 French Style Rolls, Split

Make Sure You Have:  thyme, salt, pepper, bay leaves, flour, yeast, sugar, garlic, oats, brown sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, oregano, vanilla, baking powder, baking soda, ground cloves, oil

Day 1: Calzones p. 151, Green Salad, Brussels Sprouts, Layered Cranberry Apple Mold p. 507

Day 2: Pork Chops, Rice, Peas, Layered Cranberry Apple Mold (leftovers)

Day 3: Steak, Baked Potatoes, Green Beans, Warm Spiced Peaches p. 597

Day 4: Beef Stew p. 550, Onion Dinner Rolls p. 152, Warm Citrus Fruit with Brown Sugar p. 596

Day 5: Spice-Rubbed Turkey With Cranberry Barbecue Sauce p. 477, Mashed Potatoes p. 587, Gravy p. 404, Cooked Carrots, Cinnamon Poached Pears p. 597

Day 6: Waffles p. 139, Eggs, Hash Browns, Orange Juice

Day 7: Hamburger Barley Soup p. 553, Baked Apples p. 595

Printable Shopping List

Produce

• Green Onions
• 1 Cup Fresh Mushrooms
• 2 Green Sweet Peppers
• Bagged Green Salad
• 7 Large Apples (Rome Beauty, Granny Smith, or Jonathan)
• Fresh Mint
• 5 Pounds Potatoes
• 3 Medium Red Grapefruit
• 3 Medium Oranges
• 3 Onions
• 2 Pounds Medium Carrots
• 3 Ripe Medium Peaches or Frozen Sliced Peaches
• Celery
• 1 Clove Garlic
• 6 Pears

Cannned

• 15 oz. Can Pizza Sauce
• Sliced Olives
• 2 (16 oz.) Cans Whole Cranberry Sauce
• 12 oz. Cranberry Apple Drink
• 2 Cans Green Beans
• 2 (8 oz.) Cans Pineapple Chunks
• 2 Tablespoons Rum (optional)
• 3 Cups Vegetable Juice
• Bottled Chili Sauce
• 3 (14 oz.) Cans Beef Broth
• 28 oz. Can Diced Tomatoes
• 8 oz. Can Tomato Sauce
• 4 oz. Apple Juice

Dry

• 6 oz. Package Lemon Flavored Gelatin
• 1.3 oz. Package Dessert Topping Mix
• Sugared Cranberries (optional)
• 1 Pound Rice
• 1/2 Cup Quick Cooking Barley
• 1/2 Cup Raisins

Cold

• Milk
• Butter or Margarine
• 2 Dozen Eggs
• Grated Parmesan Cheese
• 8 oz. Mozzarella Cheese
• 1 Pound Ground Beef, Italian Sausage, 4 oz. Pepperoni, or 1 Cup Cubed Cooked Ham or Canadian Bacon
• 6 Pork Chops
• 6 Small Steaks or 3 Large Ones
• 14 oz. Stew Meat
• 3-1/2 Pound Turkey Breast With Bone
• 1-1/2 Pounds Lean Ground Beef

Frozen

• Brussels Sprouts
• Peas
• 1-1/2 Cups Green Beans
• Corn
• Hash Browns
• Orange Juice
• Ice Cream or Half and Half

Make Sure You Have: flour, yeast, salt, olive oil, sugar, mayonnaise or salad dressing, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, beef bouillon granules, oregano, marjoram, pepper, bay leaves, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, nonstick cooking spray, paprika, garlic powder, cumin, chili powder, cider vinegar, baking powder

Some of you know that I cook at the senior center locally part time.  Lately, everyone has been donating all the excess produce from their gardens and I am just amazed at how much people can grow here in Idaho.  I never had much success with stuff like melons, cabbage, and onions, but there are buckets coming in each day.  And tomatoes and zucchini like you wouldn’t believe.

So, in honor of harvest time, I’m dedicating these printable grocery lists and menus to harvest from your garden…or maybe your neighbor’s garden.  Whatever the case may be.  Enjoy a slice of Zucchini bread hot from the pan with melted butter on top for me.  And maybe rent the movie, Ratatouille, on the night you cook it for dinner.  Your kids will love you for making it!  And they’ll enjoy the movie more knowing that it’s actually a food, even if they’ve already got it memorized from watching it so much.  Who knows, it could become one of their favorite memories, like the time my mom cooked Zucchini Bisque and we all ate it out of hollowed out Zucchini halves.

Online Menu

Day 1: New Potato Simmer p. 566, Sliced Tomatoes, Sliced Melons

Day 2: Kalamata Lemon Chicken p. 463, Corn on the Cob, Carrot Salad (Shredded Carrots, Raisins, Pineapple, and Mayonnaise), Sliced Melons

Day 3: Swiss Steak p. 372 (This tastes divine with fresh tomatoes instead of canned, so I didn’t include canned tomatoes on the list), Mashed Potatoes p. 587, Zucchini and Crook Neck Squash Sauteed with Garlic and Red Peppers, Grapes

Day 4: Ratatouille p. 594,  Green Salad, French Bread, Warm Spiced Peaches p. 597

Day 5: Meatloaf p. 377, Mashed Potatoes p. 587, Gravy, Sliced Tomatoes, Zucchini Bread p. 132

Day 6: Lemon Chicken Pasta Toss p. 419, Marinated Cucumbers p. 500, Squash, Raspberries

Day 7: Ham, Baked Potatoes with Sour Cream, Creamy Cole Slaw p. 502, Apple Slices

Printable Grocery List  (Try to shop as much as you can from your garden or your neighbor’s garden…with their permission, of course!)

Produce

• 1-1/2 Pounds Tiny New Potatoes
• Leek
• 1 Head Napa Cabbage
• 1 Head Green Cabbage
• 1 Head Green Leafy Lettuce
• 2 Cucumbers
• 12 Tomatoes
• 4 Cantaloupe, Honey Dew or other Melons
• 1 Lemon
• 1 Orange
• Grapes
• 6 Peaches
• Raspberries
• Lemon Juice
• 6 Ears of Corn
• 2 lb. Carrots
• 4 Onions
• Celery
• Carrots
• 6 Pounds Potatoes
• 5 Small Zucchini
• 2 Small Crookneck Squash
• 1 Red Pepper
• 2 Green Sweet Peppers
• 3 Small Eggplant
• 5 Shallots
• Green Onions
• Squash
• Fresh Oregano Leaves
• Fresh Lemon Thyme or Regular Thyme
• 9 Cloves Garlic
• Fresh Basil or Oregano
• Fresh Parsley

Dry and Canned

• 5 (14 oz.) Cans Reduced-Sodium Chicken Broth
• Dried Orzo Pasta
• 8 oz. Multigrain Penne Pasta
• Kalamata Olives
• Capers
• Greek Seasoning
• Raisins
• Crushed Pineapple
• Dry White Wine or Chicken Broth
• Package Gravy Mix
• 1/2 C. Walnuts or Pecans
• Parmesan Cheese

Cold

• 1/3 Cup Whipping Cream
• Butter
• Milk
• Eggs
• 1 Pound Smoked Turkey Breast or Smoked Chicken Breast
• 2 Pounds Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
• 18 oz. Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast Halves
• 2 Pounds Boneless Beef Round Steak, cut 3/4 inch thick
• 1-1/2 Pounds Ground Beef
• 2 Pounds Ham

Baked Goods

• Crusty French Bread or Sour Dough Bread

Make Sure You Have: flour, Dijon mustard, olive oil, salt, pepper, mayonnaise, basil, garlic, oregano, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, bread crumbs, sage, ketchup, brown sugar, dry mustard, baking soda, baking powder, oil, vinegar, celery seeds

Thanks to the new movie and book, Julie/Julia starring Meryl Streep, there is a new craze with people trying to cook olive oil cake, which frankly I have never heard of until now. However, after a bit of research, I think I will make it. It looks absolutely delicious.

Looking through the internet, I’ve come across several sites that have great Olive Oil Cake recipes. I thought I’d show you what I’ve found and let you try them yourselves.

The first site is LA weekly blogs with a great article by Amy Scattergood. It’s full of gorgeous shots of the cake, elegantly plated, and caramel sauce dripping from the spoon. It makes my mouth water just looking at the pictures. And the recipe looks splendid.

Then, I checked the Seasoned To Taste blog, which had a recipe that looked easy to follow and sounded good.

Pastry Studio had another beautiful blog with gorgeous pictures and, as you know, I think pictures are very important. I just wish I knew how to take better pictures. Food is hard for me. But, the cake looks lovely and has a beautiful presentation.

So, if you’ve just seen Julie/Julia or read the book, and are dying to try your hand at something new, maybe the olive oil cake is the thing to try. Now, you know where to go to get three great recipes. Bon Apetit!

3 Cups Flour

1-1/2 Cup Shortening

1 teaspoon Salt

1 Tablespoon Vinegar

1 Egg

5-6 Tablespoons Cold Water

Mix flour and salt in a bowl.  Cut in shortening until it resembles course crumbs.  Stir in vinegar, egg, and water just until moistened.  Knead 10 times and then roll out between plastic wrap.  Pie crust should look marbled and slightly unmixed.  The less you play with it, the better it will be.  Just roll it out once, put it in the pan, and poke with a fork.  Then, either bake it or fill it depending on the type of pie you’re making.  Enjoy!

Day 1:  Curried Chicken Salad Sandwiches p. 494, Sliced Cucumbers, Cottage Cheese, Sliced Peaches

Day 2:  Old Fashioned Beef Stew p. 550, Green Salad, Dinner Rolls, Sliced Tomatoes, Cranberry-Apricot Pie p. 438 (small slices will leave some leftovers)

Day 3:  Thanksgiving Style Turkey Sandwiches p. 349 (requires a fryer if you follow the recipe)[Note:  This recipe makes a bunch, so it would be a good night for a block party or having friends over, or you could just freeze the extra turkey for later], Green Salad, Corn on the Cob, Cranberry-Apricot Pie

Day 4:  Chicken with Black Beans and Rice p. 463, Zucchini, Yogurt with Sliced Peaches

Day 5:  Vegetable Frittata with Cheese p. 232, Green Salad, Crusty French Bread, Grapes

Day 6:  Italian Chicken and Pasta p. 541 (Slow Cooker)[Note:  If your crock pot is too small to double the recipe, then you can stretch it by making more pasta and thinning out the sauce a bit.], Strawberry Chiffon Pie p. 444 (if you have a small slice, you can have some tomorrow, too)

Day 7:  Shredded Beef Sandwiches p. 534 (Slow Cooker), Dinner Rolls, Sliced Cucumbers, Strawberry Chiffon Pie

Shopping List

Produce

• 2 Stalks Celery
• Green Onion
• 2 Lemons
• Orange
• Lettuce
• Salad Mix
• 4 Slicing Tomatoes (one for Salad)
• 4 Roma Tomatoes
• 4 Cucumbers
• 6 Peaches
• 4 Onion
• 6 Cloves Garlic
• 3 Medium Zucchini (one for Frittata)
• 3 Medium Potatoes
• Carrots
• 3 lbs. Fresh Apricots (or 3- 15.25 oz. Cans Apricot Halves)
• Corn on the Cob (enough for day 3, whether you invite people over or just have your family)
• Grapes
• 2 Cups Fresh Mushrooms
• 2-1/2 Cups Fresh Strawberries

Canned Food

• 24 oz. Vegetable Juice
• 8 oz. Tomato Juice
• Peanut Oil
• 16 oz.Cranberry Sauce
• 1 (15 oz.) Can Black Beans
• 1 (14.5 oz.) Can Diced Tomatoes with Onion and Green Pepper
• 2 (14.5 oz.) Cans Italian Style Stewed Tomatoes
• 2 (6 oz.) Cans Italian Style Tomato Paste

Dry Food

• Cashews or Almonds
• Walnuts
• 1/2 Cup Dried Cranberries
• Long Grain Rice
• 12 oz. Dried Fettuccine
• Parmesan Cheese
• Unflavored Gelatin

Cold Food

• Milk
• 3/4 Cup Whipping Cream
• Cottage Cheese
• 8 oz. Cream Cheese
• 4 oz. Cheddar Cheese
• Vanilla Yogurt
• 1-1/2 Dozen Eggs
• 16 oz. Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
• 2-1/2 to 3 Pounds Meaty Chicken Pieces
• 24 oz. Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
• 16 oz. Beef Stew Meat
• 3 Pound Beef Chuck Pot Roast

Frozen Food

• 6 to 8 Pound Turkey Breast with Bone
• 1 Bag Frozen Cut Green Beans
• 2 Bags Frozen Corn
• 2 (9 oz.) Packages Frozen Italian Style Green Beans

Bakery Items

• 1 Loaf Multi-Grain Sandwich Bread
• Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls
• 24 Sweet Hawaiian Rolls (or enough for your family on day 3)
• Crusty French Bread
• 8 French Rolls

Make Sure You Have: mayonnaise or salad dressing,  salt, chutney, curry powder, basil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, ground cloves, cayenne pepper, chili powder, oregano, marjoram, pepper, pumpkin pie spice, bay leaves, flour, oil, Worcestershire sauce, beef bouillon granules, cider vinegar, shortening, sugar, cornstarch, honey, Items For BREAKFAST and SNACKS.

Day 1:  Pulled Chicken Sandwiches p. 473, Spinach, Avocado, and Orange Salad p. 498

Day 2:  Spring Greens and Roasted Chicken p. 621, Whole Wheat Rolls, Banana-Berry Smoothies p. 117

Day 3:  Smoked Turkey and Tortellini Salad p. 621, Three-Bean Salad p. 505, Orange Sherbet p. 290

Day 4:  Fast Fajita Roll-Ups p. 615, Creamy Coleslaw p. 502, Vanilla-Orange Smoothies p. 116

Day 5:  French Dip Sandwiches p. 382, Sunny Broccoli Salad p. 499, Orange Sherbet (leftovers)

Day 6:  Chipotle Pork Soft Tacos p. 341, Sunny Broccoli Salad (leftovers), Berries, Milk Shakes p. 115

Day 7:  Salmon and Vegetable Packets p. 336, Rice, Lemonade p. 114

Shopping List:

Produce

• (3-4 Tablespoons Chopped) Red or Green Serrano Chile Peppers
• Fresh Thyme
• 5 Onions
• 6 oz. or 8 cups Fresh Baby Spinach
• 5 oz. Mixed Salad Greens (8 Cups)
• 3 Oranges
• 1 Cup Fresh Raspberries
• 4 Cups Mixed Berries
• 2 Avocados
• 4 Cups Fresh Strawberries
• 2 Lemon
• 4 Bananas
• 16 Cherry Tomatoes
• 4 Green Sweet Peppers
• 1 Red Sweet Pepper
• Red Onion
• 10 Cloves Garlic
• 3 Tomatoes
• 4 Cups Shredded Red and/or Green Cabbage
• Carrots
• Green Onions
• 7 Cups Fresh Broccoli Florets
• Shredded Lettuce
• 18 Fresh Asparagus Spears
• 6 Small Yellow Summer Squash
• 2 Cups Lemon Juice (or a lot of fresh lemons)

Canned

• 4 oz. Tomato Sauce
• 1 (16 oz.) Can Wax Beans, Black Beans, or Garbanzo Beans
• 1 (8 oz.) Can Green Beans, or Lima Beans
• 1 (8 oz.) Can Red Kidney Beans
• 2 (14 oz.) Cans Beef Broth
• 8 oz. White Wine or Chicken Broth
• Raspberry Vinegar
• Sherry Vinegar
• 2 Cans Sliced Olives
• Italian Vinaigrette or Balsamic Vinaigrette Salad Dressing
• Salsa
• Chipotle Chili Peppers in Adobo Sauce

Dry

• Honey Roasted Cashews or Peanuts
• 2 (7 oz) Packages Cheese Filled Tortellini
• 1 Package Unflavored Gelatin
• Raisins
• Sunflower Seeds
• Rice

Cold/Deli

• 2 (2- Pounds each) Purchased Rotisserie Chickens
• 2 Cups Chopped Cooked Smoked Turkey, Ham, or Chicken
• 24 oz. Deli Sliced Cooked Beef
• 4 oz. Gorgonzola or Blue Cheese
• 4 oz. Cheddar Cheese
• Pepper Jack Cheese
• 4 Cups Plain Fat-Free Yogurt
• 3 CupVanilla Low Fat Yogurt
• Sour Cream
• Milk
• Butter
• 8 Slices Bacon
• 24 oz. Flank Steak, Sirloin Steak, or Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast Halves
• 6 Pork Chops (3/4 inch thick)

Frozen

• 2 Cans Orange Juice
• 2 Quarts Chocolate Ice Cream
• 1-1/2 Pounds Salmon, Cod, Tilapia, or Orange Roughy fillets

Bakery

• 6 Kaiser Rolls or Hamburger Buns
• Whole Wheat Rolls
• 8 (8-inch) Flour Tortillas
• 12 (6-inch) Flour Tortillas
• 8 French Style Rolls (Hoagie Buns)

Make Sure You Have: Olive Oil, Cider Vinegar or White Wine Vinegar, Molasses, salt, Bread and Butter Pickles, Dijon Style Mustard, sugar, honey, pepper, Oil, thyme, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, celery seeds, cumin, cloves, dry mustard, Italian Salad Dressing, Mayonnaise, Vanilla, Ice Cubes or Crushed Ice, brown sugar

If you need an ice cream maker, may I suggest this one?

Cuisinart 2-qt. Pure Indulgence Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream & Sorbet Maker