May Menu

The theme for the May menu is "cheap and easy." I realize that I am probably the laziest cook in the family - or the least sophisticated cook in the family - but that doesn't mean that everything I make is gross. Rather, it is just cheap and easy. So don't be too quick to judge. I don't expect these two recipes will change anyone's life or create world peace...in reality, I just like to make and eat this stuff and so thought I would share.

I LOVE Simple and Delicious cooking magazine. I live by it - and each week choose a different magazine I have on hand and select recipes for the week. I mark the page number in the magazine and who ever gets home first has to make dinner. We have been doing this for about 6 months, and I find that (1) we eat out less because we always have a plan, (2) we don't spend as much at the grocery store because we just buy what we need for the week's menu and (3) Matt is more willing to make dinner when there is a recipe to follow and all the ingredients at hand. Plus, the recipes are surprisingly simple and delicious (go figure).



Here is my latest favorite - Chicken Over Curly Noodles. I use to eat Ramen noodles every day for a whole summer in the 7th grade and got so tired of them I have not eaten them since. But I really like this sauce and have become converted again to eating Ramen noodles. We always have these ingrediants on hand and so make it frequently.

Notes: (1) I have never added the bean sprouts because I always forget
(2) The recipe is for 4 - but we usually make the recipe as is - but just use two packages for Ramen rather than three...I dont know if this makes us have more sauce or what.
(3) The magazine recommends making the broccoli side dish - but since Matt wont eat broccoli - usually we just have carrot sticks or salad.




For my dessert pick - I wanted to pick somehting that would force Mom to buy a cake mix...I know this will be hard for her and many others (go late at night when no one you know will be at the store) - but I went to the store today and bought cake mix for .86 cents. You cant get cheaper than that! My neighbhor gave me this recipe when I lived in Swan Valley - then I realized it was on the cake mix box. It is not suppose to take the place of our favorite chocolate crinkle cookies or anything like that - these are just really good to make when you want chocolate cookies fast. Here is the recipe from Betty Crocker.

Note: I usually dont roll them in sugar - but just add 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1/2 cup of chopped nuts (and because I like fat, subsitute butter for the oil). I have tried to roll them in powdered sugar - but you dont get the same effect (they are almost not sweet enough...if that makes any sense). Sorry Rebecca - I tried looking for something that you could eat...but it is really hard. You will have to give us some ideas on your month in cutting out sugar.