March is here so I have lightened the menus just a bit; it may not be any warmer outside but March's arrival always makes me realize that Spring is on the way. I have also included a 'bake once - eat twice' combo to help with the food budget and time management.

Fried shrimp is a favorite at our house any time. This recipe for shrimp tempura from the Gourmet cookbook is the best I have ever found. It is quick, easy, and tastes delicious!

You will find that I use several cooking methods, mix and match, to get dinner on the table quickly! (The ingredients in parenthesis show some of my quick-prep steps.) You can always substitute your favorite made-from-scratch recipes when you have more time.

I hope you have a great week!

Sunday:
Poached Fish in White Wine Sauce (frozen fish fillets)
Duchess Potatoes (instant garlic mashed potatoes)
Baby Peas (frozen peas)
Baked Tomato Halves
Coconut Cream Pie with Berries (prepared graham cracker crust, instant pudding mix)

Monday
Chicken and Dumplings (crock pot; frozen dumplings or pastry sheets, cream of mushroom soup; save some chicken for Thursday)
Asparagus / Tomato Stir Fry
Stacked Brownies (purchased brownies and ice cream)

Tuesday:
Fire Cracker Pork Chops with Pineapple Salsa (canned pineapple and chilies)
Sauteed Pierogies (frozen pierogies)
Green Beans
Fresh Baked Jumbo Cookies

Wednesday:
Quick Baked Ziti (vegetarian; jarred pasta sauce, bagged shredded cheese)
Panned Spinach (bagged baby spinach)
Individual Cherry Pies (purchased pastry shells, canned cherry pie filling)

Thursday:
Warm Chicken Citrus Salad (chicken from Monday, bagged salad greens, jarred citrus)
Triple Corn Chowder (canned corn, purchased corn chips)
Pecan Pie (purchased pecan pie)

Friday:
Blue Cheese Encrusted Beef Stew (prepared pie crust, beef gravy, canned potatoes and carrots)
Tossed Salad (jarred salad dressing)
Apple Dumplings a la Mode (purchased ice cream, prepared pie crust)

Saturday:
Tempura Shrimp (cleaned and deveined shrimp)
Udon Noodles with Soy Dressing (purchased noodles)
Steamed Julienne Vegetables (bagged julienned vegetables)
Fresh Fruit Baskets (puff pastry, canned whipped cream)

I sincerely hope you have fun with your meal planning and preparation,
Elizabeth Randall and Family