There are several things on my mind today, so I'll get right to them.
But first, Diego says hi. Or hola, as it were.
In all the chaos surrounding my in-laws' visit, I never did do a real grocery shop for the month of April. Rather, it was a couple weeks of shopping as need be. Thankfully, we didn't spend too much money on those trips. Here is what my mid-month trip list looks like. I'll update with prices tomorrow night:Produce:
- apples (several pounds)
- bananas
- green onions
- sweet potatoes
- 5 bell peppers
- onions
- spinach
- zucchini
- cucumbers
- tomatoes
- potatoes
- strawberries
- lettuce
- mozzarella
- butter (2 pounds)
- eggs (2- 18 packs)
- milk
- cheddar
- greek yogurt
- heavy cream
- yeast
- flour
- confectioner's sugar
- granulated sugar
- peas
- broccoli
- cauliflower
- canned tomatoes (4 cans)
- quinoa
- almond milk
- black beans (4 cans)
I really am addicted to my Diet Coke. It's going to be really hard. But I think I'm ready to give it up. Not only will I feel better without that junk in my body, I'll also save my family even more money. Keep me in your thoughts as I kick this habit. I'll keep you posted on my progress.
- sweet bell peppers (red, green, yellow)
- sweet banana peppers
- chili peppers
- jalapeno peppers
- cayenne peppers
- cherry tomatoes
- crookneck squash
- broccoli
- cucumbers
- okra
Any ideas on all-natural pest control to get the buggies to stop eating my leaves?
Messy Lasagna
- 1/2 lb pasta (any variety will do, but I used mini wagon wheels today)
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 15 oz can diced tomatoes (do not drain)
- 15 oz can tomato sauce
- **SPICES AS DESIRED** If you skip this, your dish will be very, very bland. Spice it as you normally spice lasagna. I used fresh basil, fresh thyme, fresh parsley, fresh rosemary (not normally in lasagna, but it's fresh and I couldn't resist!), salt, and pepper
- a sprinkling of sugar
- 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, divided
- 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, divided
How it's Done:
- Cook pasta al dente according to pacakge directions. Drain and reserve. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Meanwhile, brown ground beef with onion until no longer pink. Add tomatoes, sauce, garlic, sugar, and spices. Simmer 15 minutes.
- Combine sauce with pasta. In a separate bowl, mix ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese.
- Pour half of the pasta and sauce into a 9x11" baking dish. Dot with mounds of the ricotta mixture. Don't try to be neat or even. It's messy lasagna. Cover with remaining pasta and sauce. Sprinkle the rest of the cheeses over top.
- Bake for 30 minutes.
9 comments:
sounds tasty!
have you done a post about your monthly shopping and how you make it work? im worried about produce mostly. i try to get as much as i can fresh, but usually buy on sale. im thinking some of it i can freeze, like peppers
I've touched on it briefly. Basically, I have two strategies:
1. I buy plenty of fruits and vegetables that have differing "expiration dates" -- for example: In week One of the month, we mainly eat the tomatoes, lettuces, berries. In Week Two, we're still eating lettuce, and also cucumbers and peppers and melons and bananas and grapes. In week 2, I go shopping again for a refill and pick up more fresh produce. My mid-month trip typically costs around $40 and includes fresh items such as those listed on this post. In week 3, we also eat the potatoes, cabbages, carrots, and other more sturdy vegetables.
2. Mid-month refills are my other strategy. I use this quick trip to get more fresh dairy and produce and anything else I'm lacking. I never spend more than $50 and more than 15 minutes shopping mid-month.
I'm SO excited that you posted this, I've been waiting since I saw it on your menu! It sounds delicious and I bet my kids will love it!
for pest control lady bugs are a gardners best friend. If you don't have lots of them in your area you can buy them at a local nursery. I saw small bags holding 1500 lady bugs for about $6 here. What plants are getting eaten? the garden is looking great!! its still way too cold here to plant outside, boo. but I have seedlings going crazy inside, very fun.
Hi Michelle
You have won an award! Please come to my blog to pick it up!
Angie
My first time commenting, but I've already tried (and loved!) several of your recipes!
As for the plants, simple dish soap and water works to get rid of the bugs! I usually just put in a few drops in a spray bottle of water and then add more soap if the bugs are still bad!
Andrea, I read that. I'll call around today. It's my cucumber plants and bell pepper plants that are being eaten.
Angie, thank you!!!
Ashley, glad you chose today to comment! Do you use a certain kind of soap, or will any do? I have Great Value green apple scent at the house...wondered if I could use that or if it should be something milder. Do you spray all the leaves of the targeted plants? How frequently? This is my first garden. ;)
I too am an addict... Coke Zero/Regular Coke. Trying to cut out the diet drinks and have regular pop, on a limited basis, but it is difficult. I'm learning to like coffee, but still have to load my cup with sugar and half-n-half.
Don't you just love the Piccolini pasta's!
thank you for the pointers! We will have farmer's markets opening soon so that will help. I know some of our produce only lasts a week, but is probably due to the area we live in and its not a growing season here yet.
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