What’s for Dinner
Monday ~ Grilled Chicken, Garden Salads, Red Grapes & Clementines.
Tuesday ~ BLTs made with Turkey Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomatoes.
Wednesday & Thursday ~ Egg Roll in a Bowl, Baked Potatoes, Acorn Squash.
I’ve been reading on several blogs recently about the even higher increase in the price of beef. One solution to that dilemma is to use ground turkey, but add beef bouillon and some Worcestershire sauce (thanks to Cheryl for the tip) to make it have more of a beef taste. This is what I did with this recipe using ground turkey for the meat at a significant savings.
Friday ~ Loaded Baked Potatoes & Salad
This was such a busy day, so I made something quick and simple for dinner.
Saturday & Sunday ~ Lentil Loaf, Green Beans with Onions & Potatoes, and Carrots.
Using what we have, I took a package of previously cooked lentils out of the freezer to thaw to make lentil loaf. I had some diced red pepper in the fridge I wanted to use, so I did add some to the loaf. I used one of the cans of tomato sauce I bought this summer at a yard sale for 25 cents, but only needed four ounces, so I saved the rest for later.
The green beans, carrots, and potatoes were all free from the Mennonites and PHP. Even if I had to buy those items, potatoes and carrots are some of the cheapest vegetables to purchase (carrots 97c lb., potatoes 45c lb.), so we save money by incorporating them into our meals regularly. Using today’s prices I can make this lentil loaf for under $3.00 and the whole meal was less than $4.00 for me to make.
Lentil Loaf
Ingredients:
1 cup lentils (31 cents)
2 cups water (free)
1 teaspoon salt
1 small onion, diced (33 cents)
1 cup quick oats (28 cents)
¾ cup grated cheese ($1.12)
1 egg, beaten (18 cents)
4 ounces tomato sauce (25 cents)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon basil
½ teaspoon seasoned salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
Directions:
Add salt to water and boil.
Add lentils and simmer, cook 30 minutes until soft.
Mash lentils.
Add onions, oats, and cheese until mixed,
Add eggs, tomato sauce and spices.
Spoon into a greased loaf pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 45 minutes.
The lentil loaf makes eight servings and I eat one with dinner, so that leaves enough to repeat this meal on Sunday and have leftovers for lunches this week.
What’s been on the menu in your home this past week?
Belinda
Homemaker at Heart
I never heard of a lentil loaf. I might try that.
ReplyDeleteIt’s delicious, Linda. 😊
DeleteI make a Mexican inspired lentil loaf with onions, jalapenos, and BBQ sauce. Yours sounds really good!
ReplyDeleteOh wow, yours sound really good too, Nana.
DeleteSounds tasty!!
ReplyDeleteSo far I haven't found a recipe for lentils that I like, but maybe your lentil loaf will be the one. Thanks! :)
You’re welcome, Kathy. We really like this one.
DeleteI do like the sound of that lentil loaf, will have to come back for the recipe.
ReplyDeleteIt’s definitely a keeper, Gill.
DeleteThe lentil loaf sounds interesting. Like the idea of Mexican inspired as Nana said too. Will give it a try soon.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking the same thing, Cheryl. I’ll have to tweak around with it and see what I can come up with.
DeleteDid you use brown lentils for your loaf? It sounds good.
ReplyDeleteHello, this is Belinda, and yes, I used brown lentils in the lentil loaf.
DeleteYou are so blessed to live by the Mennonites.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kim. They are very generous.
DeleteYour lentil loaf sounds very interesting. Another way of using lentils is always welcome.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
It’s a tried and true recipe, Jackie. A keeper for sure.
DeleteDear Belinda, ground turkey is a great option! As well, and this is not to scare anyone but just to alert people, that I heard that beef is the number one cause of colon cancer. I know that ground lamb is very good and tasty, but expensive. Ground pork could be another option, as pork is generally less expensive than beef. But I have to say, dear friend, that I love your suggestion of ground turkey!
ReplyDeleteThe bus strike is still happening here in Montreal, unfortunately, and between Sunday and today, Remembrance Day (Veterans Day as some others call it), we have gotten a significant amount of snow. Fortunately for myself, I love the winter and snow! It's the ice that worries me! LOL! It's beautiful, Belinda, it looks like a winter wonderland. I do pray that this bus strike ends soon, because it is now the 11th day.
Your Monday meal sounds delicious!
Dear Belinda, your Friday meal sounds delicious as well, loaded baked potatoes and salad! My menu hasn't been as nice as yours, but I am eating well...just not much. I plan to make salmon patties for dinner this evening, last night I had a cheese omelet. I haven't been eating much meat partly because I have run mostly out of it and getting around without the transit has been a challenge.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I did make spaghettini with a vegan sauce. See, for myself, when I eat pasta, if I have beef with it, it is too heavy for me. And I make spaghettini as opposed to spaghetti, because the noodles are thinner and easier for me to eat without feeling that it is too heavy.
Thank you so much for all you share, dear friend, your lentil loaf sounds amazing!
Sorry about the lengthy comments, but I published the first comment without finishing my thoughts because my Chromebook wanted to update, so I restarted my computer.
I hope you are having a great week so far! :)
Thank you, Linda. Your spaghettini sounds wonderful! The lentil loaf is a tried and true recipe, a real keeper. Your cheese omelette sounds good too. I’ll probably make salmon patties this week. I’m hoping the transit situation improves quickly!
DeleteI haven't had a BLT in ages...I used to make "CLT's" - Cheddar lettuce tomato, LOVED those sandwiches!
ReplyDeleteOh, Yes! I would love that too, Rain.
DeleteDear Belinda, as of around 6:30 a.m. this morning, the bus and metro maintenance workers are back! So full service started today and is back. The only thing now is that we won't have any bus service at all this weekend, unless this changes, because this is when the bus drivers are going to do their two day strike.
ReplyDeleteI am relieved and very happy that the buses are back, and I plan to go out tomorrow and get a grocer order, which the grocery store will deliver (just $2 for seniors).
Thank you so much for your prayers, it really means a lot to me!
Oh, that is the best news, Linda. I’m so happy for you! 💕
Delete