A Newlywed Menu

Anyone who knows me knows how much I hate cooking. However, as a newly married lady something inside me wants to take care of my hubby, save money, AND eat better; so I'm determined to learn. What I've discovered is that it's not so much the actual cooking that bothers me, its the planning. So I've been planning a week's worth of meals on Sundays and buying everything for them then. Rachel Ray had a full week's meal guide and shopping list in each of her magazines this summer. Also, anything that we use up gets put on the next week's grocery list. It's 1.5 months and working so far... I really love the accomplishment I'm getting out of it.

Here's some big things I had success with in September & October; Bonus! 5/6 of them are vegetarian recipes :

1. Homemade Pizza. Inspired by September's book club, this was possibly the most adventurous of my homemade cooking so far. It was also one of the most fun and yummiest. All the extras I needed to buy was some dry yeast & the toppings. I had the flour, salt, etc. already. $10

2a. Raviolis & Spinach- Couldn't be easier! I used a bag of frozen cheese raviolis & 3 oz frozen spinach with 1/2 jar Arribiata tomato sauce. Served with garlic bread, I had enough time (and leftover spinach) to make #3 below. $8

2b. Cauliflower & Spinach Casserole - This was a great all-week long meal. I just broke up a head of cauliflower, Campbell's cream of mushroom soup, the rest of the frozen spinach, a little EVOO, bread crumbs and some shredded mozzarella cheese in a casserole dish and baked at 325 for 1 hour. No fuss and it was YUMMY!! $5

3. Popcorn Cauliflower- Since Mr. Mc really likes cauliflower, I also tried this one- WOW! Its basically french fries, but shaped like popcorn. 1 head cauliflower broken up, 3 Tbsp EVOO, 1 tsp salt, bake 325 for 1 hour. Not a full meal, but its a great side for the burgers & mac / cheese he makes! $3

4. Cranberry - Chipotle Beef- The most surprising wedding gift was the slow cooker, so we went in search of something to cook in it. Cut up & throw the following in the pot: 1 small onion, 12 oz beef chuck roast, 1/8 tsp salt & pepper, 1 clove garlic, 8 oz cranberry sauce, 1 tsp chipotle chile peppers in adobo sauce. I put it in the slow cooker for 3-4 hours on high then serve with 10 minute rice. Be careful, this is one spicy meal!! $9

5. Israeli Salad - I had this at an Italian restaurant near my house & liked it so much I decided to try and make my own. Dice the following: 3 tomatoes, 2 cucumbers, 1 onion, parsley, dill, 3-4 tbsp olive oil & juice of 1 lemon. Toss & serve with a whole wheat pita. $8