Husband's been asking for a while now to have a regular meal routine, a predictable schedule of foods he knows he likes that I serve on a rotating basis. I have resisted this concept, preferring to create my own weekly menus, try out new things, and surprise constantly with the food I put on the table. But I finally decided to cave and give it a try. I set up a three-week rotation of meals filling out dinners for Monday - Thursday. Weekends I left blank for the chance to jump on a spontaneous gathering with friends, to eat out or order out, or to use up leftovers not used during the week. We're both on board with the rotation, and I'm actually finding surprising freedom in it. I know what's coming next, even for the next two weeks. Not only is this liberating in the kitchen, but in the grocery store too. I can buy ingredients I see on sale because I know exactly when I'll have a chance to use them. I can focus, when I'm shopping, on lunch foods, breakfast foods, and snacks because the dinner list (and therefore my weekly shopping list) is preplanned. It's only week two (and last week hardly counted because Husb was sick, so I veered off the schedule), and I already like the way this is going.
We've named the weeks Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie. Here is the Week Alpha Menu:
Monday: Tortilla Soup with Mexican Rice
I'll cook two lbs of chicken breasts in the crock pot on Monday, during the day, then shred it up after work. This will provide chicken for the Tortilla Soup, Tuesday's dinner, and Thursday's dinner.
Tuesday: Quesadillas or Burritos with the leftover Mexican Rice
Wednesday: Grilled Cheese with condensed Tomato Soup
Thursday: A chicken casserole
(most likely Broccoli Chicken Casserole or Crunchy Chicken Casserole)
This will make use of the rest of the chicken I cooked on Monday
These are stellar meals. Week Alpha is a week worth getting excited about.
Coming Next: Week Bravo!
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