Weekly Menu Planning - October 2024

Cooking Discussions Cooking, Cookbooks, Ingredients
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Greetings from another lovely day in Ottawa. We are now getting more seasonable temperatures thankfully since I have a lot of squashes to cook and freeze. I picked up my last CSA of the season and my fridge is chock-a-block full of fresh veggies. Grocery shopping over the next few weeks will be minimal. Now that the CSA season is over, I now have my Thursday nights free which will be nice since the national museums offer free admission after 5:00 on Thursdays so I would like to get caught up on my museum visits. I plan on making my first Thursday museum visit to the Canadian War Museum since they have a special exhibition on women war artists that I would like to see. I am hoping to go this Thursday depending on my energy level :slight_smile:

Onto my menu this week with actuals from last Monday to plans through to next Thursday:

Last Monday I planned on having a potato tomato stew however my last remaining tomato perished so I had to change plans. I had half a can of salmon left since I had a salmon sandwich last Saturday so on Monday I went old school and had creamed salmon on toast with corn on the cob and brussels sprouts. Tuesday I had linguine with broccoli and carrots and Wednesday I had masoor dal and rice pilaf. I had planned on having chicken cacciatore for dinner last night but when I planned my meals for this week I forgot I had a film society screening last night. So I had some ramen on my way to the movie theatre and I will have the chicken cacciatore this weekend. As for the rest of the week:

Today: Take out fettucine al pesto and chicken from a nearby deli. I discovered on the way there that there is a movie being shot in my neighbourhood! The film crews were setting up the lighting and cameras on my way to the deli. We have a burgeoning film industry in Ottawa apparently but the film crews rarely shoot scenes downtown. I was too shy to ask what movie is being filmed there although I think the information is available online. Dinner tonight will be a creamy peanut slaw recipe that I clipped from the newspaper years ago. Apparently it is a recipe that first appeared in the Thug Kitchen cookbook but I found an exact version of the recipe here.

Saturday: Off to the National Gallery for a long overdue visit. The fall special exhibitions appear to be over and the new ones won’t start until January so I thought it would be a good chance to visit part of the permanent collection. I haven’t visited the Canadian galleries in awhile so off I will go. I will have chicken cacciatore for dinner.

Sunday: Off to Chinatown to replenish some Asian ingredients. I will have stirfried lo mein noodles using some bbq’d pork ribs from the take-away counter at the Chinese grocer I go to.

If they don’t have any ribs left I will make a pork and rice noodle bowl using the ingredients I have on hand.

Monday: A marinated kale salad from a raw vegan cookbook I have (“Simply Raw” by Natasha Kyssa).

Tuesday: The new go-to kale salad.

Wednesday Beef and cabbage stir fry.

Thursday: Angel hair pasta with roasted peppers.

Have a nice, autumnal week everyone!

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My mother was a big fan of creamed everything on toast!

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My mother only ever made creamed tuna on toast and she told me it would be a good, inexpensive dish to make when I first moved out on my own. Sometimes I would use canned salmon but I only make it now when I have half a can of something to use up that is quick to make. It’s the end of CSA season and I am tired of cooking…

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Hi, all! Cooking for 2 in Chattanooga, where we’re apparently having 3rd summer…But I will not be deterred from cooking like it’s fall!
Breakfast: Blueberry coffee cake
Saturday, October 26: Pad Thai. I hope it works out this time! I always end up with gluey noodles stuck to the skillet.
Sunday: Cacciatore with pasta, beet salad, banana bread
Monday: Poached chicken with vegetables and chili oil dressing; probably rice.
Tuesday-Friday: TBD. We’re going to celebrate a very early Thanksgiving with the kids and some friends next Saturday, so I need to clear out the fridge and prepare for that!
Happy Halloween to all who celebrate! Have a good week, and happy cooking!

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145

Someone else does this! :exploding_head:

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The November discussion is ready for when your plans are mostly in November.

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The beef and cabbage stir fry is up for this week’s menu. I just “found” a cabbage Thursday and have a half to use up. And actually have all the ingredients on hand. I am in no shop use up mode for October

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We occasionally had creamed hb eggs on toast.
I had totally forgotten about them.

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I’m having the beef and cabbage combination this week too. I live those budge t bytes recipes and they are especially handy for no shp weeks when I want to finish up bits and bobs in the fridge.

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I’ve never thought of having creamed eggs on toast. I will have to keep that in mind when I want to throw together a quick meal.

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This was called “eggs goldenrod” in my house growing up – the hardboiled yolks were separated and crumbled on top (like asparagus mimosa).

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It’s good cheap food.

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Exactly.

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Actuals for Oct 21 week, cooking for 2 in MN., where the (once again) over-filled-with-proteins freezer will be the source of mains for the foreseeable future. My husband worries that I’m a “hoarder”; those BOGO sales the past couple of months lured me in.

Mon: Shrimp, tortellini alfredo, Normandy blend veggies, breadsticks (hat-tip to @Autumm2 - those Green Mill breadsticks are delicious)
Tues: Chicken with tortellini and alfredo sauce, Normandy blend veggie, breadsticks, red grapes
Wed & Thurs :Sheetpan sausage coins, potatoes, peppers & onions. Sliced fresh apple. I took advantage of minimal morning traffic for a trip to the Apple Barn at the U of MN Arboretum for my baking-favorite Haralson apples. And got a dozen Snowsweet apples, too. Good thing apples keep well in the fridge.
Fri: Slow cooker beef pot roast with large bun, California mix veggie. Fresh apple slices.
Sat: Hot tuna melts open face on buns, tater tots, red grapes
Sun: (today) reheated beef pot roast – either on buns w BBQ sauce or mixed with veggies as filling for cottage pie, topped with mashed potatoes. The variation not eaten today will be Monday’s dinner. Fresh apple slices.

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Simple menus for ease and comfort.

For two adults in San Diego:

Breakfasts: Baking? Maybe. Buying something at the grocery? Maybe.

S: Went out for pizza.
Su: (Tonight) Old school crunchy tacos with all the fixings.
M: Lentil soup - vegetarian/soup
T: Open-faced chicken melts on sourdough, fruit on the side
W: TJ’s pumpkin ravioli with shrimp and garlicky spinach - seafood
R: Haven’t made this in awhile: https://www.budgetbytes.com/curry-beef-with-peas/
F: Chicken enchiladas, rice, beans

Have a good week!

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Week starting 10/27, 2-4 adults in DC/VA area:

Sunday, Thai Night Market goodies
Monday, Remains of veggie platter, regular and white bean hummus, chicken kebabs
Tuesday, zuppa toscana made on Saturday
Wednesday, fridge scrounge as we all have activities
Thursday, Cabbage pork stir fry + rice
Friday, Pizza (spouse in charge)
Saturday, TBD depending on farmers market offerings

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Still in combat here. The exterminator comes regularly and takes away occupied traps which he has placed strategically on the enclosed porch and garage. I discovered that mice had eaten hand warmers I left in the console between the two front seats in the car during COVID back when the food pantry moved outside. Euww! I am placing essential oiled cotton balls in anll drawers and cupboards and sprinkling cayenne in places where no dog ever goes.
I have been revisiting the freezer and there really is a lot of cooked food in there.
Thursday a sauté of beef kielbasa, potatoes and veg in wine and chicken broth
Friday freezer find rice, peas, chicken and gravy and half a baked acorn squash
Saturday boc choy and American chop suey
Sunday repeat Friday
Monday a quarter pounder with safe local burger and salad with safe local lettuce
Tuesday tbd freezer find
Wednesday my prodigal older DS has moved back to Massachusetts and is coming for dinner. No idea. He is kind of an anti vegan red meat eater but no dairy, gluten or nightshades. Maybe repeat Monday
Thursday the rest of the surprise freezer find from Tuesday.
Friday tbd.I need to go shopping which I usually
enjoy.

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That’s great that your son is moving back! If you do decide to make burgers for dinner, gluten-free buns are generally pretty crappy. Iceberg lettuce or green leaf lettuce (multiple layers/leaves) work pretty well as burger-holders.

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Hello to everyone from the very warm Twin Cities of MN where it was over 80 today. They are forecasting much cooler for trick or treating, which thankfully this is Mr Autumm’s turn to supervise, but nothing like the Halloween Blizzard of '91 which is still holds the record for the biggest snowfall in recorded history here. Getting back into the swing of things after fall break in Jamaica with activities and all that stuff. Having to cook food again was a bit of shock to the system. . . I love all inclusive resorts!

Actuals and Plans for 2 adults and 2 growing girls

Weds 23: Spinach salad with warm bacon dressing Alton Brown.

Thurs 24: Jamaican Red bean soup trying to recreate a soup from vacation.

Fri 25: Takeout after a mentally challenging day at work. I needed a “good” burger

Sat 26: Out for dinner after the zoo’s jack o lantern fest.

Sun 27: Jumped on the Zuppa Toscana bandwagon. Very similar to a version we had on vacation but the sausage I used had more of a kick than anticipated. Also Mommy’s Fancy Brussels Sprouts ala Hola Aprea

Mon 28: A new menu feature is Leftover Monday. Big kiddo skates at 645 and it’s just too hard to plan a menu so this is the plan. Leftover Jamaican Red pea soup, salads in shifts

Tues 29: Dine to donate PTA fundraiser so takeout pizza “it’s for the school. . .” Mr Autumm out with the boys. Girls agreed we don’t have to carve pumpkins this year!

Weds 30: Both girls skate. Leftover zuupa tuscana and salads

Thurs 31: Meatballs in the crockpot after trick or treating. Mr Autumm will be having warm boozy coffee while escorting Princess Elizabeth and a leopard around the neighborhood.

Nov 1: Not sure yet See how work goes and my energy level. . .

Sat 2: Big kiddo competes. My parents here for the weekend. Probably take out pizza

Sun 3: Little one competes in the morning. Hopefully hauling leaves and branches to the yard waste site. Food TBD

Take Care and Happy Halloween to those who celebrate (candy is really on sale at a local grocery store right now! 40% off in addition to the sale price)

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Love the idea of a dedicated night for leftovers. That would sure help move things along. Right now I’m looking at lentils with sausage, cinnamon seasoned rice, and potato and apple gratin. The thought of dumping them all into a breakfast frittata (my usual go-to) is kinda gross. Maybe a dinner buffet would work better.

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