Cooking From Your Pantry | Menu Plan Ideas, Freezer Meals and Simple Recipes Week 10 of 52

Since I left Monkey Boy and the HH to their own devices last week while The Girl and I explored the east coast, I thought it only fitting to let the menu suggestions show just how basic cooking can get.  Here are some suggestions that are fitting for every kitchen skill set  😉

3 Breakfast Ideas

Homemade Granola – I left the boys some granola, in hopes that instead of skipping breakfast, they would take the time to toss some in a bowl and pour a little milk over it. {Pin it for Later}

DIY Freezer Fruit and Yogurt Smoothie Bags – I figure, if you can press the on button on the blender, you can make a smoothie.  These pre-made bags mean you really only need 2 minutes in the morning until you are out the door, smoothie in hand.  {Pin it for Later}

Raisin Bran Muffins – Muffins are the easiest thing for me to make when I am going to be out of town, because one, I can be almost completely assured they’ll get gobbled up, and two, I can make enough to last the week.  {Pin it for Later}

4 Lunch Ideas and Dinner Ideas

Crock Pot Ground Beef w/ Taco Seasoning – Whenever I get beef from Zaycon, I immediately make a giant batch of taco meat.  That way, on taco night, all I have to do is pull it out fo the freezer and heat it up.  I figure, even if the boys just scoop meat onto tortilla chips, I’ll call it good.  Who knows, maybe they’ll get crazy and sprinkle a little cheese on top for some nachos. {Pin it for Later}

Crock Pot Baked Potatoes – This is about the easiest way ever to make baked potatoes {except the microwave, I suppose}.  Wrap those little suckers in foil and toss them in for a couple of hours.  Call it a day.  {Pin it for Later}

Homemade Sloppy Joes – I love these because they warm up perfectly for lunch the next day.  {Pin it for Later}

Homemade Peanut Butter – In honor the the unfathomable amount to PB&J sandwiches Monkey Boy is sure to consume over the next week, I thought I’d include this recipe suggestion.  {Pin it for Later}

3 Sweet Treats 

Homemade Granola Bars – I love these things.  Seriously delicious.  {Pin it for Later}

Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe on the Planet – I consider myself a cookie connoisseur, mostly because I’ve painstakingly tried about a million recipes {for the art of cooking, of course} and this recipe is hands down the best one I’ve ever come across for chocolate chip cookies.  Because I am shooting for mom of the year, I am considering making a batch and freezing them, so the boys can grab some out at their heart’s desire.   {Pin it for Later}

Vanilla Bean Ice Cream – Homemade ice cream is so far superior to the store bought stuff, it’s almost a crime.  If you have an ice cream maker and can use a whisk and crack an egg, this recipe is for you.  {Pin it for Later}

Featured Freezer Meal Recipe

Freezer Pancakes – These take about 5 minutes to make the first time, and throwing them into freezer bags takes even less time than that.  The best part is that they’ll cost you pennies compared to the over-priced boxed grocery store version.  {Pin it for Later}

Featured Canning Recipe 

Fast and Easy Freezer Strawberry Jam – Okay, so not exactly canning, but it is preserving…and freezer jam is the perfect place for a novice to start.  {Pin it for Later}

What are YOU planning on making this week?

~Mavis

Find more recipes on One Hundred Dollars a Month as well as on my Pinterest Recipe Boards.