CashCrash

Some of you have been asking for a meal plan that features a few slow cooker meals.  Us busy families all could use more time, and who doesn’t appreciate having a meal that you can easily prep in the morning and have it all prepared by evening? Besides, that aroma that fills the house when those one-dish wonders are cooking, really evokes a feeling of comfort! I love coming home to that!

Like most of you, I have a standard slow cooker in my pantry and use it all all too infrequently. The problem has been, I believe, my lack of planning.  To prepare a slow cooker meal, you do have to think ahead — not only in terms of buying the ingredients, but also in terms of getting up that day and putting them all together in the slow cooker.  But, the pay off can be so worth it, that a little bit of planning is really not problematic at all!

This week, I’m featuring three slow cooker recipes in the weekly meal plan that should make life easier and more delicious!  Ready to go slow? Here they are!

• Sunday: Slow Cooker Chili II – See recipe here
• Monday: 20 Minute Lemon, Garlic, and Herb Baked Cod – See recipe here 
• Tuesday: Slow Cooker Sesame Ginger Chicken – See recipe here
• Wednesday:  Greek Salad with Toasted Pita Tips and Hummus
• Thursday: Slow Cooker Philly Steak Sandwiches –  See recipe here
• Friday: Homemade Pizza Night
• Saturday: Moscow Chicken (Trump favorite) – See recipe here

SHOPPING LIST

INGREDIENTS: 1 lb. ground beef ($2.99), celery ($1.00), 2 (10.75 ounce) cans tomato puree ($3.50), 3 green bell peppers ($3.00), 1/3 cup full-fat Greek yogurt ($3.78), 4 cod fillets ($8.76), 1 large lemon ($1.00), 14 bone-in chicken thighs (2 3/4 pounds)($11.00), 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice($4.58), corn starch, sesame seeds ($3.97), green onions (.58), chick peas ($.72), feta cheese ($4.98), salad mix ($2.00), pita ($1.32), 2 – 2 1/2 lbs. thinly sliced steak($14.48) (can use top round), beef bouillon cube ($2.00), provolone cheese ($7.99), hoagie rolls ($2.98), 2 ready made pizza dough ($2.00), ground sausage ($3.12), mozzerella cheese, 6 slices bacon ($3.98), 1 (10 fluid ounce) bottle Russian-style salad dressing ($2.98), tortilla chips ($2.00).

BASICS:  Flavored soda water, mini carrots, coffee, creamer, bread, milk, eggs