Week 1 Shopping List and Menu

My menu and list feeds approx. 6 people per meal. Adjust amounts to your needs.

MENU:
Pulled pork sandwiches with Cowboy Caviar - use leftover's for lunch and/or the 7th night
Meat Loaf Patties with Roasted Red Potatoes
Krautburgers with Mostly Good For You Fruit Salad
Terri's Penne Bake with Tomato, Basil and Mozzarella Salad
BMT Sandwiches with Raving Ramen Salad
Sunday Pot Roast with Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Shopping List:

Meat:
1 6-8 lb. Pork Shoulder Roast
1 Cross rib roast (any kind will work, this is my preference)
Peppered Bacon
Proscuitto or thinly sliced deli ham
3-4 lbs. lean hamburger

Produce:
5-6 tomatoes
1 red onion
2 yellow or white onions
1 anaheim pepper
1 lemon
1 lime
bunch of cilantro
1 bunch parsley
avocado if desired for cowboy caviar
2-3 lbs. red potatoes
3 lbs. regular potatoes
1 bulb of garlic
1 head of cabbage or 2 bags coleslaw mix
fresh basil, if desired
Asparagus or frozen peas (for the Penne Bake)
Strawberries
Blueberries (use frozen if they are out of season)
Peaches (use frozen if they are out of season)

Dairy:
Mozzarella cheese (enough for two meals)
1 large container plain or vanilla yogurt (depends on how sweet you want the fruit salad)
Parmesan Cheese (I prefer to buy it at Costco- freeze what you don't need it will last several months)
eggs
sour cream
butter

Dry Goods:
Bread crumbs
2 pkgs. onion soup mix
Pork Dry Rub (McCormick has one)
Worcestershire sauce
1 small can tomato sauce
1 can black beans
1 can corn
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 pkg. penne pasta
1 - 4 oz. bag sliced almonds
1 chicken flavor ramen noodles
1 small box instant vanilla pudding
olive oil
vegetable oil
1 jar alfredo sauce
Mayonaise

Frozen:
Rhodes Texas Rolls
Peaches (if you didn't buy fresh)
blueberries (if you didn't buy fresh)
8 oz. container Cool Whip

Other:
Buns for Pork sandwiches
Bread for BMT's

PULLED PORK SANDWICHES
I love to make these, it usually lasts our family 2 meals. Also great to take to work the next day, just pack the meat in something you can reheat it in, and put it in a fresh bun.

Also a large crowd pleaser. If you need to cook for a large group, (30+ people) buy the pork shoulder from Costco (there's 2 in a pack) and cook them in a large roaster oven at 300 degrees, overnight and let it cook all day until you're ready for it.

1 Pork Shoulder (7-8 pounds fits perfectly in a larger crock pot)
Pork Rub-Mccormick has one, or make your own:
2 tablespoons onion powder
2 tablespoons mild paprika
1 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tsp. black pepper
1 tablespoon dried parsley
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon powdered sage
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1-2 bottles of your favorite BBQ sauce
your favorite type of rolls, buns or bread (costco's kirtland brand large hot dog buns are great for these)

Turn on your crock pot to high while you get everything together. Turn to low once its in the pot, ready to go. Cook fat side up to let the juices run down into the meat.

Cook at least 8 hours - no less! I often put it in at night at let it go all day, its soooo unbelievably tender!

Once its cooked take two forks and shred the meat. Its easier to put the roast into a large bowl and as you shred it, put the meat back into the crockpot, and the fat into a garbage sack. Easy clean up that way. Once its completely shredded add 1 -2 bottles of your favorite BBQ sauce and stir until evenly distributed.

Serve with pickles. No mayo needed!

COWBOY CAVIAR
This is so fast and easy, and a good way to use up some tomatoes from the garden. They only ingredients you cannot sub out are the lime, cilantro and packet of ranch dressing.
4-5 fresh tomatoes (if out of season use canned; do not drain)
1 can corn, drained
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained- if you don't you and your family will pay dearly! ;)
1 bunch cilantro, chopped
1/2 anaheim pepper, finely diced
1/2 red onion finely diced
1 avocado, diced
juice of one lime
one packet of dry ranch dressing

Dump it all in a bowl. You can serve immediately or chill until ready. Eat like a salad or serve with tortilla chips.


MEATLOAF PATTIES
3/4 cup plain bread crumbs
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup milk
2 large eggs, beaten
one small onion, finely chopped
2 tbs. worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup tomato sauce
3 tbs. chopped parsley
1 1/2 lbs. lean ground beef
drizzle extra-virgin Olive Oil

In a large bowl combine the bread crumbs, salt and pepper, milk, egg, onion, worcestershire sauce, tomato sauce, parsley and hamburger and mix together with your hands until well blended. Form 6 oval shaped meat patties about 1 inch thick. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Spray with nonstick spray.k Add the patties to the pan and cook about 7-8 minutes turn and cook another 7-8 minutes, until cooked thoroughly, showing no pink.


ROASTED RED POTATOES
10-12 small red potatoes, cut into wedges
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons butter
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/2 to 1 teaspoon chopped basil, fresh or dried
1 to 2 teaspoons chopped parsley, fresh or dried
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
Preheat oven to 400°.
Combine potato wedges, oil, butter and seasonings in a large bowl; toss to combine and coat potatoes. Transfer potatoes to a cookie sheet. Roast for about 30 to 40 minutes, turning occasionally, until the potatoes are tender and slightly golden brown.

KRAUTBURGERS
1 lb. lean ground beef
1/2 large onion, chopped
1/2 head of cabbage, chopped or 1 pkg. coleslaw mix
1/2 envelope onion soup mix
salt and pepper to taste
12 Texas rolls frozen Rhodes dough- thawed (if you forgot to thaw them, put 6 on a plate covered with saran wrap and zap in the microwave for 25 seconds. Flip them over and cook for another 25 seconds. Let them sit on the counter, covered while you cook the meat mixture.)

Oven to 350

Brown the hamburger and onion in a medium saucepan or frying pan over medium heat. Drain fat. Add cabbage and cook for about 5 min. Stir in soup mix, salt and pepper. Set aside. Take each Rhodes roll and flatten to a circle about 1/2 in. thick. Spoon in about a 1/4 cup meat mixture into the center and gather the dough around the meat. Flip them over so the top is smooth. Place on a greased cookie sheet and let rise for about 10 minutes. Bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.

MOSTLY GOOD FOR YOU FRUIT SALAD:
1 large container plain or vanilla yogurt - depends on how sweet you want it.
1 lemon
1 small box vanilla instant pudding
2 cups cool whip
Fruit: I usually use-
Strawberries (fresh) one pint
Blueberries (fresh or frozen) small bag or pint
Peaches (fresh or frozen)regular bag or 3-4 peaches
You can also try:
grapes
fresh raspberries or blackberries
kiwi
anything else that sounds good to you!

In a large bowl mix 1/2 container of yogurt and the juice of one lemon. Add the dry box of pudding and stir until well blended.
Fold in the cool whip.
Add the fruit and gently stir to coat the fruit. Serve immediatly or let chill until ready to serve.

TERRI'S PENNE BAKE -Super easy and fast!
This is a very versatile recipe. I generally use asparagus and proscuitto (or deli ham). You can use cooked chicken and peas, or mix whatever type of meat and veggies sounds good to you.

1 -16 oz. bag penne pasta
1 -12 oz. jar alfredo sauce
milk
asparagus washed and cut into 1 inch pieces
proscuitto or deli ham- cut into ribbons
1 1/2 cups parmesan cheese

Start by cooking the pasta according to package directions. When there is about 3 minutes left on the timer add the asparagus to the pasta and boiling water. This will cook it without getting another dish dirty! Cook pasta al dente. While the pasta is cooking, in a small saucepan pour the jar of alfredo. Pour about 1/2 cup milk into the jar and swish out the sauce that stuck to the jar. Add to the saucepan. Add 1/2 cup parmesan and cook over medium-low until heated through. You can add fresh garlic too if you want.

When the pasta is done, drain and put into a 9x13 pan. Add the ham. Pour the alfredo sauce all over the pasta and gently stir to spread the meat and asparagus around.

Turn oven to broil and sprinkle the remaining parmesan cheese all over the top of the pasta. Broil for 5-10 minutes until the cheese is golden brown. If you don't want to broil it bake it at 425 for about 15 minutes.


TOMATO, BASIL AND MOZARELLA SALAD
4-5 cups plum or grape tomatoes halved or quartered(if you don't have them, use regular tomatoes, diced)
mozarella cheese, nicely diced or mozarella balls (not as easy to find)
6-7 leaves of fresh basil, chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
salt
pepper

Place everything in a medium sized bowl and serve immediately or chill until ready to serve.


BMT SANDWICHES
Favorite bread
mozarella sliced
peppered bacon
tomatoes, sliced
mayo

oven to 450. Line a large cookie sheet with tin foil and lay the bacon on it. Cook for about 7 minutes each side or until crispy.

Toast your bread and put on a thin layer of mayo, layer the rest of the ingredients and enjoy!


RAVING RAMEN SALAD
1 pkg. coleslaw mix or 1 head lettuce
1 pkg. chicken flavor ramen noodles soup
2-3 green onions, sliced
1/3 c. oil
1/3 c. vinegar
1/4 cup sugar (or less, depending on taste)
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
1 - 4 oz. pkg slivered almonds or about 1/4 cup

Crush noodles from ramen packet into a bowl with coleslaw mixture, and green onion and let stand while you mix the dressing. In a small bowl mix oil, vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper and the chicken flavor packet from the soup. Stir well. Fold the dressing into the coleslaw just before serving and add almonds.
To make this a main dish add cooked chicken, pork or shrimp.

SUNDAY POT ROAST
So mouthwatering and tender! Plan on cooking this in your crockpot for at least 5 hours- depending on the size of your roast. I've noticed when I put potatoes in with the roast is is not as tender as when I cook it without the potatoes. I prefer mashed potatoes cooked separately instead.

1 roast ( cross rib roast is my favorite)
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 onion, sliced
1 envelope onion soup mix
1/2 cup water

Turn your crock pot on high. Place a frying pan on high on your cook top. When the pan is very hot, sear the roast for about 1 minute per side. Now put the roast in the crockpot, pour the soup onto the roast and spread with the back of a spoon. Sprinkle the onion soup mix over the roast and put the onion all over the roast and on the bottom of the crock pot. Add 1/2 cup of water around the sides of the roast so you don't wash off all the yummy stuff you just put on top!

Turn the crockpot to low and let cook at least 5-7 hours or until its cook through, but tender and juicy!

If you are a mushroom lover, sliced crimini mushrooms are a nice addition.


GARLIC MASHED POTATOES

5-6 medium baking potatoes peeled and coarsely chopped
2 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup sour cream, at room temperature
2 cloves finely minced or pressed garlic
1 tablespoon (or more) milk, at room temperature or warmed
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions
In a medium saucepan, cook the potatoes in salted water until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain the potatoes and return them to the saucepan.

Add the butter, sour cream and garlic. Put in your mixer or put in a large bowl and use a hand mixer to blend the potatoes. Add the milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the potatoes are the desired consistency. Add salt and pepper to taste.