Spin Off: Weekly Menus

Do you plan your weekly dinner menu or do they just kind of "evolve" as the week goes on? If you plan, when do you plan & shop? What is your planning process? What makes it easier for you? Does DH help at all with this? Inquiring minds want to know!

Re: Spin Off: Weekly Menus

I'm a planner. Some of my menus change a little bit as the week goes on for one reason or another (convenience/time).

I often have an idea about 1 or 2 things I want to make because I saw it in a magazine, on line or just had a random craving. Then I hit the circulars to see if there are any crazy sales that I need to take advantage of. I create a list of meals (usually protein/Vegetable/Starch) and then a shopping list of items I don't have on hand and need to buy to complete. I tend to put items with fresh or quick spoiling veggies earlier in the week to avoid going back to the store.
It definitely makes things easier for me. I work full time and have 2 children.. I leave for work between 6 and 7:30 and don't get home until 7pm. Trying to figure things out on the fly doesn't really work too well for me. I also save a ton of money by hitting up the store with a plan. I am way less prone to impulse buys. And it's fun for my family to see the weekly menu hanging up on the fridge. I try to make each night sound special when I write it.. whet their appetites a bit.
Rob doesn't do ANYTHING with relevance to cooking.. except make PB & J or pop open a can of soup for the boys when they are hungry. And he hates shopping and complains about the cost of everything "Why are you buying THAT steak.. this one is cheaper??" .. um.. the one you have is a 7 bone chuck and I am holding a rib eye...

Re: Spin Off: Weekly Menus

oh wow you are so organized! how long does it typically take to put your menu together? i want to try your planning process.

Re: Spin Off: Weekly Menus

I just started to really plan last week. I got a grocery store list template and modified it for myself. I then went to my cookbook to figure out what I wanted to make for the week.

Sunday
Baked Ziti
Salad

Monday
Chicken marinaded since yesterday in mango coconut sauce
left over corn
left over home made peach chutney
tater tots

(Lunch for me was a left over 1/2 chicken cutlet with cranberry stuffing)

Tuesday
Chili
Salad

(Lunch for DH and I will be left over ziti)

Wednesday
Tuna melt
left over ziti and salad

(Lunch will be left over chili and I will freeze some of the chili for next week too)

Thursday
Chicken Marsala
Mushroom Risoto
Steamed broccoli

(Lunch will either be sandwiches or leftovers)

Friday (I planned this meal but realize we will be eating with the family so I will keep the chop meat in the freezer for next week)
Sweet and Sour meatballs
Udon noodles
Green beans

Saturday (we will be eating with the family so I will have to play it by ear)
not sure yet


I bought club sized packs of chicken and then trimmed them and portioned them into zip locks. Some I left plain, others are frozen with marinade. I also had the butcher make small portions of the chop meat for me. I just stuck those in the freezer. I went through my pantry to figure out what we had and what we needed. I also tried to use up the perishable ingredients we had from last week.

ETA: I have been inspired by the other girls here to make weekly menus and have been doing that for a month or two now. It was just this past weekend where I have really gotten the hang of things and am getting good at using leftovers and incorporating them into new meals.

Message edited 12/29/2009 12:11:29 AM.

Re: Spin Off: Weekly Menus