As I mentioned in an earlier post, I am saving money on groceries by creating menus and shopping from a list. Here are my dinner menus for the coming week. I calculated that I am spending about $5.26 a day for two people:

Sunday: Baked whole rosemary-stuffed chicken, brown rice, Cesar salad, whole wheat French bread

Monday: Chicken curry (from leftovers) over brown rice, tossed green salad, whole wheat French bread

Tuesday: Mushroom penne, steamed asparagus, whole wheat French bread

Wednesday: Grilled tilapia with tequila-lime seasoning, quinoa cooked in vegetable bouillon, tomato/basil/baby cucumber salad

Thursday: Vegetable stir-fry with chicken (leftover) served over brown rice

Friday: Tomato and red pepper soup, leftover mushroom penne pasta, tossed green salad (we're going to a play, so we needed a quick dinner...)

Saturday: Marinated pork chops, quinoa, broccoli sauteed with mushrooms and garlic

For dessert: fresh fruit in season; sometimes we might include a slice of provolone or smoked gouda.


Cost of dinners for the week ~ $36.83 (not including wine):
Whole chicken, 4.75# (from freezer) - 4.70
1# penne pasta - .99
Tilapia (from freezer) - 2.73
Pork chops (from freezer) - 2.99
Fresh vegetables (broccoli, zucchini, asparagus, celery, romaine lettuce, mushrooms, cucumbers, tomatoes) - 12.87
Whole-wheat Artisan French bread - 2.98
Tomato/roasted red pepper soup - Free (gift from DS)
3.25#s Papaya - 3.87
2# Gala apples - 1.96
Uncle Ben's Instant Brown Rice (2/5.00) - 1.75 used
Quinoa (Trader Joe's) - 1.99

Had:
Spices
Fresh herbs (from patio planter)
Lime juice for papaya
Wine of the week: 2003 Scarbolo Merlot 11.99 (not counted in daily meal cost)