Meal Planning is a Homemaker MUST + Our Dinners of the Week

The Chic Assignment, August 2020 A Highly Unusual Day in the Life: Ext...

Meal Planning is a Homemaker MUST + Our Dinners of the Week

Meal planning is a homemaker must. Through the years, I've gone for long periods of time when I was on top of meal planning, and long periods of burn-out where I didn't meal plan at all. And I can definitely say that meal planning helps my life go more smoothly, it's better for our food budget, and I end up producing more appealing meals that the whole family actually enjoy.

In today's video I'm sharing the meals we made this past week. I write them down on this magnetic meal planning paper pad and place it on the fridge. I always get the days wrong (as you will see), but it's helpful to have a meal plan written down, as well as a grocery list. To give you an idea on what we spend on groceries, our bill for this week, which included all of the ingredients I needed to make the meals, plus breakfast items, snacks for the kids, and other fresh produce, ended up being $170. This is a great price for a family of six considering that many of the items I bought (milk, eggs, etc.) would last for more than one week as well.

The potato gratin recipe comes from William & Sonoma's Bride and Groom cookbook, the chicken roll-up recipe was one I originally found on Kristin Stepp's channel and she got it from Plain Chicken (links below). The Linguini with Clams (pantry staple) is from All Recipes. I will also leave my versions of the recipes down below as I did alter some of them a bit.

Featured in the video:
⚜️Meal planning notebook/ grocery list
⚜️Lemon juicer
⚜️Instant Pot
⚜️Slow Cooker
⚜️Cast Iron skillet
⚜️Cellar Door Candles
⚜️ Kitchen-Aid white mixer
⚜️Copper measuring cups
⚜️Kristin Stepp's YouTube channel
⚜️Plain Chicken blog
⚜️Boos block
⚜️Vintage kitchen timer
⚜️French apron
⚜️Blue & white Churchill plates
⚜️Red Le Creuset casserole dish

PrintPotato GratinIngredients:1 1/2 tsp butter (room temp.)2 lb russet potatoes2 cloves of garlic1 cup heavy cream1 1/2 cup half and half1 tsp saltblack pepper to tasteInstructions:Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Grease a 2 quart baking or gratin dish with the butter. Peel the potatoes and cut into slices around 1/8 inch thick. (You can also use a mandolin.) Crush the garlic and add into the pot along with the potatoes, cream, half and half, salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil and then lower the temperature and cook for around 10 minutes. Transfer the potatoes to your greased baking dish and cook in the oven for another 15 to 20 minutes. Recommended Products:Red Le Creuset baking dishCreated using The Recipes Generator.ccm-wrapper, .ccm-wrapper *{box-sizing: border-box;}.ccm-wrapper h3{margin: 0;}.ccm-show{display: block !important;}.ccm-wrapper{color:#000;max-width: 620px;position: relative;padding: 20px;margin: 20px auto;background: #f2f2f2;border: 6px double #6672E5;}.ccm-name{font-size: 20px!important;font-weight: 700!important;letter-spacing: 0px !important;}.ccm-info{position: relative;font-size: 13px;text-transform: capitalize;margin-bottom: 20px;}.ccm-author,.ccm-yield{display: inline-block}.ccm-yield{margin-right: 30px}.ccm-wrapper img{margin:0!important;padding:0!important;}#ccm-printbutton{margin: 0;color: #fff;padding: 5px;font-size: 14px;border-radius: 3px;cursor: pointer;width: 80px;height: 35px;background: #555;text-decoration: none;display: inline-flex;align-items: center;justify-content: center;}.ccm-print-options{display: none;white-space: nowrap;position: absolute;top: 32px;right: 0;z-index: 2;background: #fff;border: 1px solid #ccc}.ccm-print-options button{display: block;background: 0 0;border: 0;cursor: pointer;padding: 10px;width: 100%;text-align: left;}.ccm-print-options button:hover{background: #555;color: #fff}.ccm-head{color: #000;font-size: 20px !important;font-weight: 700 !important;margin: 30px 0 0 !important;text-transform: uppercase !important}.ccm-section-title{font-weight: 700;font-size: 16px;}.ccm-section{padding-left: 20px;line-height: 1.7;margin: 10px 0 30px}.ccm-section ol,.ccm-section ul{margin: 0 !important;padding: 0 0 0 30px !important;}.ccm-section li{margin: 0 0 6px !important;padding: 0 !important;}.ccm-section-steps li{line-height: 1.6;margin-bottom: 10px !important}.ccm-posturl{padding-top: 10px;border-top: 1px solid #ccc}.ccm-posturl a{font-size: 13px;}.ccm-notes{font-size: 15px;margin: 10px 0;padding-left: 30px;font-family: inherit;line-height: 1.7;white-space: pre-line}.ccm-link{color: #4193f0;}.ccm-copyright{font-size: 13px;font-style: italic;line-height: 1.6;margin-top: 15px;padding-top: 15px;border-top: 1px solid #ccc;}.ccm-credit{font-size: 12px;padding: 10px;text-align: center;background: #fff;margin: 15px -20px -20px;border-bottom-left-radius: 10px;border-bottom-right-radius: 10px;border-top: 1px solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15);}.ccm-credit a{color: #00f;text-decoration: none}.ccm-keywords,.ccm-categories,.ccm-cuisine,.ccm-video,.ccm-section > br,.ccm-time br{display: none}.ccm-products{font-size: 0;}.ccm-product{display: inline-block !important;width: calc(33.33% - 11px);text-align: center;vertical-align: top;}.ccm-product:not(:last-child){margin-right: 15px;}.ccm-product-name{display: block !important;font-size: 14px !important;color: #6672e5;margin: 10px 0 !important;}.ccm-product-image{width: 100% !important;height: 170px !important;-o-object-fit: contain;object-fit: contain;border: 1px solid #ccc;background: #fff;border-radius: 5px;}.ccm-product:hover .ccm-product-image{box-shadow: 0 0 10px #ccc;}@media screen and (max-width: 420px){.ccm-product{width: 100%;max-width: 200px;margin: 10px auto !important;}}[data-ccmcardnum='1'] .ccm-wrapper{border:0;padding:0 20px!important;border-radius:10px;box-shadow:0 0 10px rgba(0,0,0,.25)}[data-ccmcardnum='1'] .ccm-image{text-align:center;height:300px;margin:0 -20px -22px!important;overflow:hidden;border-bottom:3px solid #6672E5;}[data-ccmcardnum='1'] .ccm-image img{width:100%;height:100%;min-height:100%;-o-object-fit:cover;object-fit:cover;-o-object-position:50% 50%;object-position:50% 50%;border-top-left-radius:10px;border-top-right-radius:10px;}[data-ccmcardnum='1'] .ccm-btns-wrapper{position:relative;margin-bottom:40px;text-align:center;}[data-ccmcardnum='1'] #ccm-printbutton{float:none;border-radius:25px;width:120px;height:40px;font-weight:700;text-transform:uppercase;background:#6672E5}[data-ccmcardnum='1'] .ccm-print-options{right:calc(50% - 53px)}[data-ccmcardnum='1'] .ccm-name{text-align:center!important;margin-bottom:20px!important;text-transform:capitalize}[data-ccmcardnum='1'] .ccm-info{display:-webkit-box;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-ms-flex-pack:justify;justify-content:center}[data-ccmcardnum='1'] .ccm-time{border-right:0;border-left:0;margin:0 -20px;border-top:1px dashed #000;border-bottom:1px dashed #000}[data-ccmcardnum='1'] .ccm-summary{margin-bottom:25px}[data-ccmcardnum='1'] .ccm-summary:after{content:'';display:block;width:50px;height:2px;background:#000;margin:auto;margin-top:10px}

PrintChicken PiccataIngredients:4 thin boneless, skinless chicken breasts1/2 teaspoon sea salt1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepperFlour for dredging4 Tbs unsalted butter2 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil1/2 cup chicken brothjuice from 2 lemons1/4 cup capers2 Tbs parsley, choppedInstructions:Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. Dredge the chicken in the flour to coat it lightly. In a large pan, melt 2 Tbs. butter and 2 Tbs. olive oil. Add the chicken and cook until brown (roughly 3 minutes on each side). Transfer the chicken to a plate. Add the broth, lemon juice, and capers to the same pan. Bring this to a boil, scraping up the brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Return the chicken to the pan and cook until it is fully cooked through (about 5 minutes). Transfer the chicken to a platter. Stir the remaining 2 Tbs. butter into the sauce. Pour the sauce over the chicken and garnish with parsley. Recommended Products:lemon squeezerCreated using The Recipes Generator.ccm-wrapper, .ccm-wrapper *{box-sizing: border-box;}.ccm-wrapper h3{margin: 0;}.ccm-show{display: block !important;}.ccm-wrapper{color:#000;max-width: 620px;position: relative;padding: 20px;margin: 20px auto;background: #f2f2f2;border: 6px double #6672E5;}.ccm-name{font-size: 20px!important;font-weight: 700!important;letter-spacing: 0px !important;}.ccm-info{position: relative;font-size: 13px;text-transform: capitalize;margin-bottom: 20px;}.ccm-author,.ccm-yield{display: inline-block}.ccm-yield{margin-right: 30px}.ccm-wrapper img{margin:0!important;padding:0!important;}#ccm-printbutton{margin: 0;color: #fff;padding: 5px;font-size: 14px;border-radius: 3px;cursor: pointer;width: 80px;height: 35px;background: #555;text-decoration: none;display: inline-flex;align-items: center;justify-content: center;}.ccm-print-options{display: none;white-space: nowrap;position: absolute;top: 32px;right: 0;z-index: 2;background: #fff;border: 1px solid #ccc}.ccm-print-options button{display: block;background: 0 0;border: 0;cursor: pointer;padding: 10px;width: 100%;text-align: left;}.ccm-print-options button:hover{background: #555;color: #fff}.ccm-head{color: #000;font-size: 20px !important;font-weight: 700 !important;margin: 30px 0 0 !important;text-transform: uppercase !important}.ccm-section-title{font-weight: 700;font-size: 16px;}.ccm-section{padding-left: 20px;line-height: 1.7;margin: 10px 0 30px}.ccm-section ol,.ccm-section ul{margin: 0 !important;padding: 0 0 0 30px !important;}.ccm-section li{margin: 0 0 6px !important;padding: 0 !important;}.ccm-section-steps li{line-height: 1.6;margin-bottom: 10px !important}.ccm-posturl{padding-top: 10px;border-top: 1px solid #ccc}.ccm-posturl a{font-size: 13px;}.ccm-notes{font-size: 15px;margin: 10px 0;padding-left: 30px;font-family: inherit;line-height: 1.7;white-space: pre-line}.ccm-link{color: #4193f0;}.ccm-copyright{font-size: 13px;font-style: italic;line-height: 1.6;margin-top: 15px;padding-top: 15px;border-top: 1px solid #ccc;}.ccm-credit{font-size: 12px;padding: 10px;text-align: center;background: #fff;margin: 15px -20px -20px;border-bottom-left-radius: 10px;border-bottom-right-radius: 10px;border-top: 1px solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15);}.ccm-credit a{color: #00f;text-decoration: none}.ccm-keywords,.ccm-categories,.ccm-cuisine,.ccm-video,.ccm-section > br,.ccm-time br{display: none}.ccm-products{font-size: 0;}.ccm-product{display: inline-block !important;width: calc(33.33% - 11px);text-align: center;vertical-align: top;}.ccm-product:not(:last-child){margin-right: 15px;}.ccm-product-name{display: block !important;font-size: 14px !important;color: #6672e5;margin: 10px 0 !important;}.ccm-product-image{width: 100% !important;height: 170px !important;-o-object-fit: contain;object-fit: contain;border: 1px solid #ccc;background: #fff;border-radius: 5px;}.ccm-product:hover .ccm-product-image{box-shadow: 0 0 10px #ccc;}@media screen and (max-width: 420px){.ccm-product{width: 100%;max-width: 200px;margin: 10px auto !important;}}[data-ccmcardnum='1'] .ccm-wrapper{border:0;padding:0 20px!important;border-radius:10px;box-shadow:0 0 10px rgba(0,0,0,.25)}[data-ccmcardnum='1'] .ccm-image{text-align:center;height:300px;margin:0 -20px -22px!important;overflow:hidden;border-bottom:3px solid #6672E5;}[data-ccmcardnum='1'] .ccm-image img{width:100%;height:100%;min-height:100%;-o-object-fit:cover;object-fit:cover;-o-object-position:50% 50%;object-position:50% 50%;border-top-left-radius:10px;border-top-right-radius:10px;}[data-ccmcardnum='1'] .ccm-btns-wrapper{position:relative;margin-bottom:40px;text-align:center;}[data-ccmcardnum='1'] #ccm-printbutton{float:none;border-radius:25px;width:120px;height:40px;font-weight:700;text-transform:uppercase;background:#6672E5}[data-ccmcardnum='1'] .ccm-print-options{right:calc(50% - 53px)}[data-ccmcardnum='1'] .ccm-name{text-align:center!important;margin-bottom:20px!important;text-transform:capitalize}[data-ccmcardnum='1'] .ccm-info{display:-webkit-box;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-ms-flex-pack:justify;justify-content:center}[data-ccmcardnum='1'] .ccm-time{border-right:0;border-left:0;margin:0 -20px;border-top:1px dashed #000;border-bottom:1px dashed #000}[data-ccmcardnum='1'] .ccm-summary{margin-bottom:25px}[data-ccmcardnum='1'] .ccm-summary:after{content:'';display:block;width:50px;height:2px;background:#000;margin:auto;margin-top:10px}

PrintSalmon with Dungeness Crab a la BalboaIngredients:Salmon4 6 oz. salmon steaks1 Tbs olive oil1 Tbs buttersalt and pepperCrabmeat topping1/4 cup mayonnaise2 oz. butter, melted1 Tbs mustard1 egg2 green onions, chopped1 Tbs. Old Bay seasoning1 lb crab meat1/2 cup bread crumbsInstructions:Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Mix all of the topping ingredients. Heat the olive oil and butter in your roasting pan in the oven. Place the salmon in the pan and top with the crab mixture. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Recommended Products:Blue and White Churchill ChinaCreated using The Recipes Generator.ccm-wrapper, .ccm-wrapper *{box-sizing: border-box;}.ccm-wrapper h3{margin: 0;}.ccm-show{display: block !important;}.ccm-wrapper{color:#000;max-width: 620px;position: relative;padding: 20px;margin: 20px auto;background: #f2f2f2;border: 6px double #6672E5;}.ccm-name{font-size: 20px!important;font-weight: 700!important;letter-spacing: 0px !important;}.ccm-info{position: relative;font-size: 13px;text-transform: capitalize;margin-bottom: 20px;}.ccm-author,.ccm-yield{display: inline-block}.ccm-yield{margin-right: 30px}.ccm-wrapper img{margin:0!important;padding:0!important;}#ccm-printbutton{margin: 0;color: #fff;padding: 5px;font-size: 14px;border-radius: 3px;cursor: pointer;width: 80px;height: 35px;background: #555;text-decoration: none;display: inline-flex;align-items: center;justify-content: center;}.ccm-print-options{display: none;white-space: nowrap;position: absolute;top: 32px;right: 0;z-index: 2;background: #fff;border: 1px solid #ccc}.ccm-print-options button{display: block;background: 0 0;border: 0;cursor: pointer;padding: 10px;width: 100%;text-align: left;}.ccm-print-options button:hover{background: #555;color: #fff}.ccm-head{color: #000;font-size: 20px !important;font-weight: 700 !important;margin: 30px 0 0 !important;text-transform: uppercase !important}.ccm-section-title{font-weight: 700;font-size: 16px;}.ccm-section{padding-left: 20px;line-height: 1.7;margin: 10px 0 30px}.ccm-section ol,.ccm-section ul{margin: 0 !important;padding: 0 0 0 30px !important;}.ccm-section li{margin: 0 0 6px !important;padding: 0 !important;}.ccm-section-steps li{line-height: 1.6;margin-bottom: 10px !important}.ccm-posturl{padding-top: 10px;border-top: 1px solid #ccc}.ccm-posturl a{font-size: 13px;}.ccm-notes{font-size: 15px;margin: 10px 0;padding-left: 30px;font-family: inherit;line-height: 1.7;white-space: pre-line}.ccm-link{color: #4193f0;}.ccm-copyright{font-size: 13px;font-style: italic;line-height: 1.6;margin-top: 15px;padding-top: 15px;border-top: 1px solid #ccc;}.ccm-credit{font-size: 12px;padding: 10px;text-align: center;background: #fff;margin: 15px -20px -20px;border-bottom-left-radius: 10px;border-bottom-right-radius: 10px;border-top: 1px solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15);}.ccm-credit a{color: #00f;text-decoration: none}.ccm-keywords,.ccm-categories,.ccm-cuisine,.ccm-video,.ccm-section > br,.ccm-time br{display: none}.ccm-products{font-size: 0;}.ccm-product{display: inline-block !important;width: calc(33.33% - 11px);text-align: center;vertical-align: top;}.ccm-product:not(:last-child){margin-right: 15px;}.ccm-product-name{display: block !important;font-size: 14px !important;color: #6672e5;margin: 10px 0 !important;}.ccm-product-image{width: 100% !important;height: 170px !important;-o-object-fit: contain;object-fit: contain;border: 1px solid #ccc;background: #fff;border-radius: 5px;}.ccm-product:hover .ccm-product-image{box-shadow: 0 0 10px #ccc;}@media screen and (max-width: 420px){.ccm-product{width: 100%;max-width: 200px;margin: 10px auto !important;}}[data-ccmcardnum='1'] .ccm-wrapper{border:0;padding:0 20px!important;border-radius:10px;box-shadow:0 0 10px rgba(0,0,0,.25)}[data-ccmcardnum='1'] .ccm-image{text-align:center;height:300px;margin:0 -20px -22px!important;overflow:hidden;border-bottom:3px solid #6672E5;}[data-ccmcardnum='1'] .ccm-image img{width:100%;height:100%;min-height:100%;-o-object-fit:cover;object-fit:cover;-o-object-position:50% 50%;object-position:50% 50%;border-top-left-radius:10px;border-top-right-radius:10px;}[data-ccmcardnum='1'] .ccm-btns-wrapper{position:relative;margin-bottom:40px;text-align:center;}[data-ccmcardnum='1'] #ccm-printbutton{float:none;border-radius:25px;width:120px;height:40px;font-weight:700;text-transform:uppercase;background:#6672E5}[data-ccmcardnum='1'] .ccm-print-options{right:calc(50% - 53px)}[data-ccmcardnum='1'] .ccm-name{text-align:center!important;margin-bottom:20px!important;text-transform:capitalize}[data-ccmcardnum='1'] .ccm-info{display:-webkit-box;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-ms-flex-pack:justify;justify-content:center}[data-ccmcardnum='1'] .ccm-time{border-right:0;border-left:0;margin:0 -20px;border-top:1px dashed #000;border-bottom:1px dashed #000}[data-ccmcardnum='1'] .ccm-summary{margin-bottom:25px}[data-ccmcardnum='1'] .ccm-summary:after{content:'';display:block;width:50px;height:2px;background:#000;margin:auto;margin-top:10px}

The tacos are pretty self-explanatory. I like to make taco meat in large batches and freeze it (ground beef or ground turkey cooked with taco seasoning according to the package directions). Then I freeze it. I have cooked mine in the Instant Pot.