Spinach salad

This salad is super easy and has a tasty homemade vinaigrette.

Spinach Salad

5 oz spinach

diced red onion

berry vinaigrette

berries

walnuts

1. Toss together spinach, onion, and vinaigrette (I like to go light on the onion).

2. Top with chopped walnuts and berries of the same persuasion as your vinaigrette.

Berry Vinaigrette

1/3 c berries of your choice (I have used strawberries and raspberries, and loved them both)

2 T sugar

1/4 c balsamic vinegar

1/4 c canola oil (or olive oil if you're a stickler...but remember, this is a budget recipe site)

1 T or so of garlic salt

1. In a microwave safe bowl, combine sliced berries and sugar. Microwave on high 1 min.

2. In a separate bowl, slowly whisk oil into the vinegar. Then, add garlic salt. Taste, adding more salt or pepper if you prefer.

3. Take out the hot berries and mash with a fork or whisk. Pour into the vinegar mixture, then pour over the salad and toss.

Stuffed Hamburgers

So, I never exactly stick to my plan. It just never quite happens that way, but I usually take the inspiration of what I planned and do something with that.

We made the stuffed hamburgers, but I didn't actually ever make the buns, so we used lettuce wraps. Super yummy! For the side, we did the spinach salad.

Stuffed Hamburgers

2 lbs 80/20 ground beef

diced onion (I dice an entire onion and store it in the fridge, then sprinkle in a little for my recipes.)

1 T worcestershire sauce

1 T soy sauce

1 1/2 t seasoned salt

1 t garlic salt

salt and pepper to taste

2 c shredded cheese (your choice)

1. Mix all the ingredients except the cheese together in a medium bowl.

2. Begin shaping the burgers. Pick up about half of the amount of ground beef you usually use to make your burgers. (I usually make smaller rather than larger burgers, so adjust to your burger style). Flatten the patty in your hand, making a well in the center (but don't let it make a hole in the meat). Place about 2 T of shredded cheese in the well (more for larger burgers).

3. Taking an equal sized amount of meat again, place it over the cheese and fold together until it forms a patty with no cheese showing.

4. Cook the burgers over medium heat for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway.

5. Serve over buns with favored condiments.

What I'm cooking this week

Below is the menu and shopping list for the week. After my shopping trip, I will post approximate prices (which will vary based on location). Most of the posted recipes will be slightly altered by substituting more cost-effective alternatives, and I will repost pictures and altered recipes.

Happy Eating!

Tonight: Garlic Chicken Pasta

Friday: Manicotti

Saturday: Baked "Chimichangas"

Sunday: Sweet and Sour Chicken

Monday: Steak Fingers and Crash Potatoes

Tuesday: Chicken Spaghetti

Wednesday: Stuffed Hamburgers (including homemade buns) and spinach salad

Check back this week for the updated recipes based on these recipes, as well as posts about the recipes that are my own! My recipes are all for 4 people.

My shopping list* for the week:

Produce:

garlic cloves

cilantro

parsley

green peppers

spinach (2-5 oz bags)

cranberries

small red onion

Frozen section:

boneless skinless chicken breast

Center aisles:

cream of mushroom soup

spaghetti noodles

no-boil lasagna

penne

any other pastas on sale

Worcestershire sauce

instant rice

tabasco

refried beans

Side aisle:

a cheap cut of steak (not important what type)

80/20 ground beef--about 4 to 5 lbs.

cheese--lots of it, in various flavors!

ricotta

Back of store:

eggs

milk

uncooked tortillas

Things I already have in my pantry/fridge for these recipes:

yellow onions

chicken bouillon

seasoned salt

red pepper flakes

salt, pepper

new (red) potatoes

canola oil

dried herbs

tomato sauce

(28 0z) can diced tomatoes

(28 oz) can crushed tomatoes

parmesan cheese

lemons

cornstarch

ketchup

white distilled vinegar

balsamic vinegar

cider vinegar

garlic salt

sugar

breadcrumbs

bacon

bread dough recipe (get buns if you don't make your own bread)

*Please note: my location designations are based on the Walmart store layout.