Carmen Long
Simply Delicious
How many times have you heard, “Mom, what’s for dinner?” This was a very common question my children would ask when they were growing up. As a child, I can remember my mom saying, “If someone would just tell me what to cook, it would be so much easier.” At the time I really didn’t understand what she meant, but she was right. It would be easier to not have to make mealtime decisions. Hopefully these meal planning tips will make life a little less stressful and less expensive whether you are preparing meals for a family or just one or two.
Meal Planning Tips
1. Make a list
Make a list to avoid overspending or not getting all the ingredients you need at the grocery store. Monday through Friday tend to be our busiest time. Between work, school, extracurricular activities, and commutes, there’s very little time for stops at the grocery store to pick up one or two items. Plan easy meals that you can prep ahead for these busy times.
2. Set a timeframe
Decide on the length of time for which you’re planning meals. If you’re planning for the week, fresh produce may be the answer. If you’re planning for several weeks, you may need to consider canned and frozen items.
3. Decide on a budget
Don’t forget that even though we are discussing meal planning, non-grocery household items will still be part of your grocery store bill. Take these into consideration when estimating how much you will spend. If you are a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipient, include the available amount of food benefits in your budget.
4. Take An Inventory
Taking inventory of the items you have on hand may reduce how much you will need to spend and will prevent purchasing duplicates. As you’re going through your pantry, refrigerator, and freezer, look at dates and the condition of items to make sure they’re still safe to eat and of good quality. Have trouble seeing the small date print? Use a permanent marker and write on the package the purchase date and use-by date. Organize your pantry for FIFO – first in, first out. Store items with earlier expiration or use-by dates in front of products with later dates and use those first.
5. Buy Sale and In-Season items
Check out weekly grocery ads to see what is on sale. Think about in-season fresh fruits and vegetables to help decide what you may want to include in your meal planning.
6. Make Family Favorites Old and New
Include some of your family favorites in your rotation of recipes. This is also a perfect time to try something new. No need to eat the same old thing over and over. The possibilities are endless.
7. Explore MyPlate
MyPlate is a great meal planning tool to ensure your meals include items from each of the food groups. Need a snack? Pick something from a food group that you may not have had that day.
8. Ask for Help
There is no rule that says the mom has to do all of the planning. Get input and suggestions from the rest of the family. Also include the family in preparation, cooking and clean-up. The valuable life skills and opportunity for communication among the family in the kitchen are as important as the food you create.
As we celebrate our mothers in May, take time to cook a meal together, eat a meal together, and make some wonderful memories! Try this recipe for Mushroom Beef Tacos. It may turn out to be a new family favorite.
Mushroom Beef Tacos
Cook 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 4 cups (approximately 8 ounces) white mushrooms
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons Homemade Taco Seasoning
- 4 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 pound ground beef (97% lean), cooked and well-drained
Directions
- Finely chop the mushrooms. This can be done in a food processor.
- Cook the chopped mushrooms in a hot skillet over medium-high heat until well done and no moisture remains, approximately 5-7 minutes. Remove the mushrooms from the pan and set aside.
- Heat the oil in the skillet and add the onions. Cook for 1-2 minutes stirring frequently.
- Add the taco seasoning and the tomato paste. Stir to combine.
- Add the cooked mushrooms and the cooked and well-drained hamburger.
- Add a little water if needed for everything to be well combined. Serve on corn or whole wheat tortillas with shredded cabbage and lime wedges.
Cooking Hint: You can make a double batch as it freezes really well. If you prefer turkey or chicken tacos, you can substitute these for the beef.
Taco Seasoning
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup chili powder
- 3 tablespoons paprika (you may want to use ½ smoked and ½ hot)
- 3 tablespoons ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon Mexican oregano (regular oregano works as well)
- 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon cayenne (or to taste)
Directions
- Combine all ingredients and store in a plastic container.
Ginger Mango Salsa
Ingredients
- 1 mango, diced
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 jalapeno, minced
- 2 teaspoons fresh mint, minced
- Juice from 1 lime (approximately 1 1/2 tablespoons)
- Pinch of salt
Directions
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
- Serve immediately, or chill until serving.
