Because We Need to Eat - Feb. 22-26

This week we did not do a big grocery shop. Because of C's baptism and a birthday party and Chinese New Year's party on Saturday groceries just did not happen. We have milk and few fresh fruits and veggies from last week, along with more freezer meals and frozen fruits and veggies to eat up so here is our "No New Groceries" meal plan for the week.

Pasta Bake with Caesar Salad - this is a recipe that I put together from two other recipes. K is being a bit funny with vegetables these days so next time I would probably mince instead of chop up the carrots, however she ate the leftovers today without picking out the carrots. Toddlers...so confusing!

  

• Package of ground turkey
• 1 small cooking onion, chopped or minced
• 2 medium carrots, chopped or minced
• 1 celery stalk, chopped or minced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 3/4 cups of dried macaroni
• 1 650 ml jar of pasta sauce
• 1 1/4 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese

1. Preheat oven to 375 F
2. Cook pasta according to directions, drain and set aside
3. In a large saucepan or frying pan cook meat over medium-high heat, for 8-10 minutes or until no longer pink; drain the fat
4. Add celery, carrots, onion, and garlic and simmer, uncovered, for 12-15 minutes
5. Combine pasta sauce and 1 cup of cheese in a large bowl. Add cooked pasta and meat mxture. Stir to combine
6. Spoon mixture into a 2-quart casserole dish and bake, covered, for 35-40 minutes
7. Uncover and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake for 5 more minutes or until cheese is melted

Creamy Chicken Casserole - This was a freezer meal that we haven't tried yet but it is pretty basic and easy.

Slow Cooker Pizza Bake - Looking forward to this one because of the pepperoni, I'm not going to lie. 

Spinach Omelette with Peas & Carrots - K loves omelettes but doesn't like when they are too hot (temperature-wise) but has trouble being patient and waiting for it to cool down. I use an omelette pan which makes this super easy. I put in one egg, some defrosted frozen spinach, cottage cheese (sometimes other cheese), and a sprinkle of garlic powder. We had some parmesan cheese leftover from C's baptism so I put that on top once the omelette was cooked. 

Cheese & Crackers with Frozen Broccoli - I know. It seems weird but it is easy. I sometimes put cream cheese on the crackers instead of cheddar cheese. The broccoli is for a token vegetable. 

Mini Pancake Muffins - I used a boxed pancake mix but if you want a from-scratch recipe click here. All I did, after mixing the pancake batter, was add an egg. K helped and put a frozen berry (cherries, blackberries, blueberries) in each muffin. I baked them in a mini muffin pan at 350 F for 13-15 minutes. Super easy and K scarfed down 6 of them. 

Berry Banana Smoothie with Pretzels - I really want to try to add greens to my smoothies but haven't worked up the courage yet. Soon...possibly! Here's my recipe:

• 1 cup of yogurt (I used plain Greek yogurt this time)
• 1 cup of frozen berries
• 1 banana
• 1/4 cup of milk

1. Place all ingredients in a blender
2. Blend until smooth