Menu Plan by Laurie
The beginning of the year is always a time for me to get our family budget back on track, and we have started this year out with cutting way back, just to see if I can do it for a while. I prepared for the arrival of baby #3 by stocking up the pantry and freezer last fall, and since the first of the year have managed to spend less than $30 a week on groceries. I have been trying to only purchase dairy and produce on a weekly basis, and just being creative with what we have on hand for our meals.
Here’s what our gluten-free household is eating this week:
Monday — Chicken Enchilada Chili (I triple the beans and omit the celery), Tortilla Chips, Raw Tuscan Kale Salad, Canned Pears in Vanilla Syrup
Tuesday — Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce, Oven Roasted Broccoli, Gluten Free French Bread Rolls, Canned Apricot Sauce
Wednesday — Salmon with Teriyaki Glaze, Coconut Rice, Peas and Corn
Thursday — Beans and Greens, Oven Roasted Carrots, Canned Cherries
Friday — Baked Potato Soup (I just used this recipe as a basic template & made a bunch of adjustments: I start by sauteing diced onion, carrots and celery then add 4 c. chicken stock, add the baked potatoes & 2 c. milk. Blend with an immersion blender, and season to taste. I don’t use bacon or sour cream, and it turns out just fine), Fresh Coleslaw, Gluten Free Cornbread, Fresh Apples
Saturday — Dr. Praeger’s California Veggie Burgers, Alexia Oven Fries, Brussel Sprouts
Sunday — Leftover Buffet
For a Valentine’s Day dessert, I will probably make Flourless Chocolate Torte.
Find more great recipes on Frugal Living NW! Find more frugal homemaking posts here. Find past menu plans here.
What are you making for dinner this week? Be sure to leave a link to any recipes in the comments!
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Hi Laurie-
On the gluten free flours for bread, did you use the special flours she mentioned? I would love to try this recipe for my friend. I have losts of GF flours at home. I am hoping not to have to buy more brands when something else may do the job. The recipe site said:
>>was a simple combo of white rice flour, sweet rice flour (also called glutinous flour) and tapioca starch. I used all Asian flours (Erawan Brand) which are more finely milled and cost a fraction of the flours you get in the health food store. <<
Any tips? I have lots of bob's red mill products at home. What is Asian white rice flour and sweet flour????
Thanks for your help!
Debbie
Debbie-
I used the flours suggested (although I did not/have not purchased the erewhon brand). I am pretty confident that you could simply use more white rice flour instead of sweet rice flour, and that potato starch (or possibly even cornstarch) could be substituted for tapioca starch.
I don’t think there is a difference between Asian white rice flour and standard white rice flour. Sweet white rice flour (or glutinous) white rice flour is just made from a different variety of rice (I think), and so has slightly different properties than “regular” white rice flour. You might even be able to substitute some brown rice flour for the white rice flour and the recipe will probably turn out just fine. Good luck!
Would love to have your salmon recipe. Sounds delish!
For the salmon, I just bake the fillets in the oven, and make a simple teriyaki sauce (using gluten free soy sauce, brown sugar and garlic). I heat the sauce on the stovetop and reduce it down to a thick syrup, and then pour it over the salmon when I am serving it. For the rice, I substitute 1 can of coconut milk for an equal amount of water when cooking it, the teriyaki sauce is good on this too!
We just recently went gluten free, so thank you for posting these ideas. I picked up some brown rice spaghetti at Winco this week and I’m going to try it tonight. It was $1.74/lb and they had a few different kinds of pasta (penne, macaroni, etc.).
I love that chicken chilli recipe! I also add way more beans and leave out the celery. Everyone in the family loves it.
This week we’re having the homemade pizza.
Here’s a link to the Only Homemade Pizza Recipe You’ll Ever Need:
http://motheronamission.wordpress.com/2013/02/09/the-only-pizza-recipe-youll-ever-need/
Right now I have DeBoles G.F. spaghetti (I got it super cheap a Whole Foods a while back). Trader Joe’s probably has the best every day price on G.F. pasta. It was $1.99/lb. last time I bought it there. HTH!
What noodles do you use for your gluten free spaghetti?
I know this question was not directed at me, but the best GF pasta that I have found (I have tried a lot of GF pastas) is called Le Veneziane. I buy it on Amazon. It is made in Italy. I buy it for my son who is Gluten free but we all LOVE it. I personally think it tastes better than wheat/regular pasta. It is made out of corn but does not taste like corn. It holds together and has a similar texture to regular pasta. It makes great leftovers and doesn’t fall apart the second time around. I buy it in groups of 12-24 and it costs approx. $3.33 per box of 8.8 oz. It is not the cheapest out there but it is hands down the BEST. The Italians certainly know how to make pasta. 🙂
I love the GF spaghetti from WinCo. It’s in the bulk section and is made from brown rice. I think it’s $1.69 lb.
Has a great texture and doesn’t get soggy.
Thanks for the reply! I will have to give it a try.