More food!

Less money!

Check back soon to find out how!

Monday: Parmesan Chicken Spaghetti, Salad, Bread

Tuesday: Half Marathon Training! Wrestling Practice! Eggs Francisco, bacon, fruit

Wednesday: Father-Son Basketball Game! Awards Ceremony! Out for Pizza!

Thursday: Wrestling Practice! Buffalo Chicken Wing Crockpot Soup, celery and carrots with ranch dip

Friday: Chipotle Crabby Patties,

Saturday: Cajun Chicken Pasta, salad, bread

Sunday: Pork with Tangy Garlic Dipping Sauce, Fried rice

Tuesday: Half Marathon Training! Greek Style Minestrone with Turkey and Feta Meatballs, warm bread

Wednesday: Bang Bag Orange Shrimp and Chicken, Spring Rolls

Thursday: Fettuccine with Spicy Chicken Sausage, Kale and Tomatoes, garlic bread, salad

Friday: Pizza Night!

Saturday: Dinner Party at a Friend’s!

Sunday: Chicken and Garlic Stew, bread

Sunday: Baked Chicken Sausage Pasta with Spicy Tomato Cream Sauce, Salad, Bread

Monday: Basketball Game! Pizza

Tuesday: Wrestling! Soup and Sandwiches! Poblano Potato Chowder

Wednesday: Puffy Tacos,

Thursday: Wrestling and Basketball! Pasta Fagioli, bread

Friday: Gordon’s Kitchen Nightmare Burgers, Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Saturday: Going out for my Birthday! Woohoo!

Monday: Gumbo

Tuesday: Three Cheese Chicken Penne Pasta Bake, garlic bread, salad

Wednesday: New Year’s Eve Dinner at Grandma’s House

Thursday: Chicken Fingers with Spicy Avocado Sauce

Friday: Out to Dinner! Woohoo!

Saturday: Flank Steak, Caramelized Onion and Extra-Sharp Cheddar Quesadilla,

Sunday: Spicy Double-Mozzarella Pancetta Pizza

Monday: Basketball Game: Peking Chicken Pizza, salad

Tuesday: Basketball Game: Gumbo, crusty bread with freshly made butter and a salad

Wednesday: Eggplant Mini Pizzas, Lemon Parmegianno Chicken,

Thursday: Red Beans and Rice, salad, bread

Friday: Dinner @ C. and D.’s: Appetizers and Desserts

Saturday: Christmas Party! Take a dish!

Sunday: Italian Beef Sandwiches

Monday: Spicy Sweet Potato and Sausage Soup, Bread, Salad

Tuesday: Basketball Game! Mexican Pizza, taco salad

Wednesday: Basketball Game! Three Cheese Chicken Penne Pasta Bake

Thursday: Pan Sauteed Chicken and Mushrooms with Garlic Spinach

Friday: Dry Rubbed Sirloin Steak with Potato-Poblano Gratin

Saturday: Christmas Party!

Sunday: Meaty Deep Dish Pizza

Arrrggh! No internet!

Sorry I’ve disappeared lately. We’re having problems with our internet connection. I should be backonline soon! Look for a new post Monday!

It’s time for Menu Plan Monday over at I’m an Organizing Junkie once again. Here’s this week’s plan:

Monday: Basketball Game! Buffalo Wing Soup and sandwiches, carrot and celery sticks with dip

Tuesday: No School! Baja-Style Fish Tacos, Mexican Chicken Soup

Wednesday: Sausage Rice, Salad

Thursday: Basketball Game! Peking Chicken Pizza, Tossed Salad

Friday: Chicken and Black Bean Taquitos with Adobo Sour Cream, leftover Mexican Chicken Soup

Saturday: Mediterranean-style Burgers with Rosemary Mayo, Greek Salad

Sunday: Grandma’s Birthday!

Pizza can be healthy, as well as economical … if you make your own. It can also be customized to suit your occasion or your family’s varied tastes, so pizza can be a valuable tool in your frugal arsenal. There are several options when it comes to pizza dough. Pillsbury sells a pre-made refrigerated dough and you can also find frozen balls of pizza dough in the freezer section of your grocery store. Pre-baked crusts are also available. The most economical (and tastiest!) way is to make your own. A little flour. Some yeast. Salt. Sugar. And you have it. Try a few dough recipes until you find one you like. Prepare ahead and you can have a delicious meal on the table in very little time and with little cost.

Here are a few pizza dough recipes to get you started:

Whole Wheat Pizza Dough from Culinary in the Desert

Pizza Dough from A Year in Bread

Brown-Eyed Bake’s Pizza Dough Recipe

Pizza Dough from Judy’s Gross Eats

After a hectic day of after-school activities and all the election day brouhaha, I tried a new pizza recipe that was a hit with my family: Peking Chicken Pizza. The pizza was delicious and quick since I used pizza dough from my freezer and leftover chicken. This is a great example of how thinking outside the box can turn a simple meal into something extra special.

Peking Chicken Pizza
Recipe from Culinary in the Desert (Adapted from Rachael Ray)

8 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breast
2 teaspoons olive oil
salt and fresh ground black pepper
cornmeal, for dusting
12 or 16 ounces prepared whole-wheat pizza dough
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
3 tablespoons plum sauce
3 tablespoons barbecue sauce
6 ounces shredded Monterey Jack
2 scallions, thinly sliced
3 tablespoons chopped red bell pepper
3 tablespoons chopped orange bell pepper

Preheat oven to 450 degrees with a pizza stone placed on the lowest rack.

Heat a grill pan over high – drizzle oil over chicken and season with salt and fresh ground black pepper. Grill chicken, turning once, until done – about 4 to 6 minutes on each side. Remove and let cool. Slice into very thin strips.

Sprinkle enough cornmeal to slightly cover a pizza peel. Stretch and roll out dough to a rough 12″ circle on a lightly floured surface and transfer to the cornmeal-dusted peel. Sprinkle the edges of the dough with sesame seeds. Spread plum sauce and barbecue sauce over the pizza – arrange the sliced chicken on top and scatter with the cheese. Sprinkle the top with the scallions and peppers. Slide pizza onto the stone and bake until the crust is golden and the cheese has melted, about 12 to 15 minutes. Remove and let cool slightly before serving.

Makes about 4 to 6 servings.