Weekly Menu 5

I have really been craving a steak lately and up until now, I just haven't been able to find anything that I like to cook at home. I researched online for the Applebee's Bourbon Steak recipe so hopefully it will taste the same. Kanin has been begging for tacos so we are going to do plain 'ole taco Tuesday and then throw in another couple of meals, too.

Make sure that you have sides for any of these meals.

Make sure to check your pantry and refrigerator for any items that you may already have. Match coupons and sale items when you can!


Shopping List
1 tomato
1 5lb bag of potatoes
3 onions
1 Red bell pepper
1 Green bell pepper
Lettuce
1-1 1/2lb lean hamburger meat
1lb of boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 1/2lbs of chuck or round steak
3-4 sirloin steak
Taco seasoning
Hard and soft taco shells
1 can pineapple chunks
1 can refried bean
1 box of Mexican style rice
1 jar of salsa or taco sauce
2 cans of 14.5 oz diced tomatoes
1 4oz can of mushrooms with stems and pieces
1 bottle soy sauce
1 bottle Worcestshire sauce
1 bottle rice wine vinegar
1 can tomato sauce
1 bag of rice (instant or long-cooking)
Vegetable oil
Butter
Milk
Sour cream
1 package of blended cheese
Cornstarch
Brown sugar
Chili powder
Minced Garlic
Meat tenderizer
Paprika
Cayenne powder
Onion powder
Oregano
Flour
Salt
Pepper

--Speedy Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe: from BetterRecipes.com

2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
1 medium onion cut into 1/2-inch strips
1 red sweet pepper cut into 1/2-inch strips
1 Tablespoon cornstarch
1 (8 ounce) can pineapple chunks, drained, reserving juice
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 Tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce
1/2 cup rice wine vinegar
1/2 cup tomato sauce
Rice or soba (buckwheat) noodles

Directions: Heat oil in a large non-stick skillet, add chicken, onion and pepper strips, and stir-fry about 5 minutes. Remove and keep warm. Mix cornstarch, pineapple juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, vinegar and tomato sauce in a small bowl; add to skillet. Reduce heat and simmer until sauce thickens. Add chicken mixture back to pan; add pineapple chunks and heat through. Serve over rice or soba noodles.

--Taco Tuesdays with whatever sides you wantI will just be using a taco making kit and serve it with some Mexican style rice (probably Ol El Paso Cheesy Mexican Rice) and refried beans.


--My Mom's Pepper Steak Recipe:1 1/2lb chuck or round steak (cut if strips)
1/3 cup of flour
1 teaspoon salt1/2 teaspoon pepper ( I like pepper, I probably used more than this)
1 large onion sliced or diced
1 green pepper sliced
1 lb. can of tomatoes ( I use 2 cans of 14.5 oz of diced tomatoes. I don't like the flavored tomatoes like garlic and basil etc. It gives the pepper steak a funny taste.
1 4oz can of mushrooms. I use stem and pieces.
3 tablespoons of soy sauce


Directions: Put steak strips, flour, salt and pepper in a crock pot and stir until the meat is coated ( I usually do this before I put it in the crock pot) Add all other ingredients to the steak in the crock pot. Cover and cook on High for 1 hour then turn down on low for 8 hours
or cook on high for 5 hours.

I usually make up some cornstarch and water when the pepper steak is done and add a little to thicken the 'gravy' .

You can serve over rice or with whatever sides you want.

Mashed Potatoes Recipe:
Red potates, peel and diced, use enough for how many people you are serving
Butter
Milk
Salt
Pepper

Directions: Boil potatoes in water until fork tender. Drain. Add butter, milk, salt and pepper to taste and texture. You can also cut back on the milk and butter and substitute some sour cream.
--Bourbon Street Steaks ala Applebee's: from RecipeZaar(Click on the RecipeZaar link to change the serving amount. This is for 3 servings)
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
3 tablespoons soy sauce
6 teaspoons chili powder
6 teaspoons minced garlic
2 1/4 teaspoons meat tenderizer
3 teaspoons paprika
3 teaspoons ground black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
3/4 teaspoon ground oregano
3 cups water
3 sirloin steaks, of your choice Applebees use sirloin

Directions: Add all ingredients to bowl whisk well till smooth and mixed well. Marinade in the refrigerator for 1 hour. Cook steaks to like doneness. Serve with whatever sides you choose.