Thanksgiving Grocery Shopping

So this year I'm hosting my first thanksgiving.

I'm excited and nervous all at the same time.

I went to the grocery store on Tuesday and tried to get the majority of our thanksgiving shopping done.

So the bill was a lot more than normal.

Total Before: 206.21 (my eyes were HUGE at this)
Club card savings: -43.55
Coupon savings: -35.75
Total Savings: -79.30

Grand total: 126.91 (thank jeebus)

The only thing I didn't buy was red potatoes and whatever desert I want to make.

Version 1 - Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

So Chicken Noodle Soup is BIG in our homestead. I love chicken noodle soup.

This is Version #1 - My Stove Top Version.

I don't normally use this version because I like to use my crockpot (which is version #2). So when I'm doing this version, I'm normally procrastinating or short on time.

Ingredients:
3 Cans chicken stock
3 Cans water
4 Chicken breasts
1 Chicken Bullion cube
Carrots
Celery
red onion
a bunch of spices

So chicken noodle soup is really hard to screw up honestly. I've done it a bunch of times, with a bunch of variations.

In this version I ad the chicken stock and water, then chop up the veggies and toss them in on low.


I leave them on low until my chicken is defrosted. (remember the procrastination part... this is where that comes in).

When the chicken is defrosted I just toss the breasts into the broth with the veggies and turn it on Medium-High.


I didn't list the spices, because honestly I don't keep track.
I'm a non-measuring kind of cook.

My staples are Onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, seasoning salt, Italian seasoning, basil, oregano.... but there are some others I know I'm forgetting. I like spices. In my eyes bland food = bland people. Everyone can use a little more spice in their life

I leave it on medium high until the chicken is cooked through.

Then I turn it down to medium low. I pull out the chicken and use a fork & knife to just shred it.


Mean while I boil some noodles on the side.

I HATE HATE HATE soggy noodles. So I would prefer to cook my noodles on the side then add them to my soup. My husband doesn't mind soggy noodles, but I despise them.
It doesn't really matter what noodles you use. we had medium shells in the pantry, so thats what i used. We normally use whole wheat egg noodles, but I was out.

I like to serve my chicken noodle soup with a bread as a side. I switch it up though. This time I had grands jr. rolls on hand, So that's what I used.


Then once the noodles are all done.
its time to serve it up.

I put the noodles in the bowl first, then ladle the chicken, veggies, and broth on top.
Enjoy!!

P.S. - my husband thought it was VERY weird that i was taking pictures of him ladling out soup. but its all for the good of the blog. :)

P.P.S - I also plan on making this with the left over turkey from thanksgiving. One of B's favorite leftover dishes is Turkey Noodle Soup.

Tomato - Tortellini Soup

Sorry No pictures... I'll try and get some the next time I make it. Blame it on me being UBER sick

This soup is super simple & super yummy

Ingredients:
2 - 14oz reduced sodium chicken or vegetable broth
1 - 9oz package of refrigerated tortellini
1/2 of an 8oz tub of cream cheese spread with chive and onion (I use the whole tub)
1 - 10.75 or 11 oz can condensed tomato soup or tomato bisque
fresh chives

Directions:
1) In a medium saucepan, bring broth to boiling. Add Tortellini, reduce heat. Simmer uncovered for about 5 min

2) in a small bowl whisk 1/3 cup of broth with cream cheese until smooth.

3) return mixture to saucepan along with tomato soup. Heat through.

4) sprinkle each bowl with chives.

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

I made crescent rolls to go with it. So yummy.

My Super Simple Stuffed Peppers

I EFFING LOVE Stuffed Peppers

Ingredients:
-Ground turkey
-1 Jar Pasta Sauce
-Brown Rice (cooked)
-4 Bell Peppers

Prep:
*preheat oven to 350*

1) Brown Ground turkey

2) add Pasta Sauce

3) Add in cooked rice. To be honest I really never measure how much rice there is.
4) cut the top off your peppers (I normally use green peppers, but you can use what ever you prefer). Hollow out the pepper and place in a baking dish.

5) spoon mixture into hollowed out peppers. I alternate spoon fulls with mozzarella cheese.

6) When full, top with a little extra mozzarella.
7) Place in preheated oven for 20-30 minutes.

SO YUMMY!
So quick
So awesome!

My Lasagna

So Lasagna comes in all shapes, forms, and flavors. And to be honest my lasagna changes just about every time I make it depending on the mood i'm in, and what I have in the house.

Last Nights Version of Lasagna

Non-bake lasagna noodles
Jennie-O Turkey (Extra lean)

Mozzerella Cheese (shredded)

2 Jars Pasta sauce (you're choice)


1) Preheat oven to 375*

2) Cook turkey in pan until cooked through. I season mine with my old standards: onion powder, garlic powder, pepper, Italian seasoning.

3) spray pan with non stick cooking spray (trust me it helps).

4) spread a thin layer of pasta sauce on the bottom of the pan

5) layer the lasagna, cheese, meat, sauce. Lasagna, cheese, meat, sauce. Be careful not to overfill the dish.

6) Bake for 50-60 min.

Simple, easy, yummy

Meal Planning Monday

Meal Planning Monday!!!!!!!!

This week is different than most.

B only works 2 days this week. So I'm just building a generic plan for my meals. I'm going with just meal 'options'. and not set days this week.

Option #1 = Basil Pesto Chicken w/ veggies and rice
Option #2 = Lasagna
Option #3 = Spaghetti with homemade french bread
Option #4 = Upside Down Pizza Casserole
Option #5 = Potato Chowder w/ Cheese Biscuits.