Mastering the kitchen: One week menu plan

by Crystal Paine

I am a newlywed, who has been having a hard time mastering my kitchen! I have always enjoyed baking in the past, but since being married it has been quite a struggle to figure out and prepare for meals every day! I go grocery shopping and try to stock up on what I'll need, but it seems like my fridge is always kind of empty, and there's never anything "on hand" to make a less time-consuming meal. I have been used to dinners such as roast beef, meatloaf, casseroles, etc., mostly meat 'n potatoes type dishes, which seem to take so much pre-planning... Or is that the way all meals are? I would greatly appreciate any advice you or anyone might have on how to keep on top of food preparation! It's been my biggest "domestic" struggle since becoming a wife! ~Anna

Anna, your beautiful desire to be a Godly homemaker shines through this request. We all have our strengths and our weaknesses in homemaking. You are wise to seek out a solution for an area which you struggle with. I can't promise I have a sure-fire solution, but I'll try to give you some ideas:

Cook to please your husband. Ask your husband what he likes to eat and what kind of dinners he would like to have and then base your menu off of this. Most men really don't care whether they have an elaborate six-course dinner or not, all they care is that there is something filling to eat.

Start out simply. When you are starting out and just learning in this area, don't try to fix a six-course dinner. Right now, just stick to the basics. If your husband is not one who cares whether there is a tremendous amount of variety, could you come up with one week's worth of breakfast, lunches, and dinners you feel comfortable making?

Instead of trying to plan your menu based upon what you have on hand or what is on sale, I'd recommend that you plan your menu and grocery list based upon recipes you feel comfortable with. At this point, it will make things much easier for you.

Write out a menu plan for a whole week including what you will have for each meal. Don't try out anything elaborate and don't feel badly if you alternate between two different things for breakfast everyday (one day cold cereal, one day oatmeal, etc.), slight variety with lunches, and then simple dinners with just two or three items.

Stick to recipes that can be made quickly or made ahead in the morning. My favorite recipes are those with five ingredients or so. Utilize the crockpot. Get a copy of Fix It and Forget It from your local library and find some recipes in there that you would like and incorporate those into your weekly menu plan. I also really enjoy Quick-Cooking magazine - perhaps your library has some of their bound recipe volumes. I'd also see if you library has an 30 minute dinners or less type of cookbooks.

Once you have a simple menu planned (Don't forget to include sides - not just the main dish, and also include snack items and other extras you usually like to have on hand.), get all the recipes out and go through your cupboards and refrigerator and see what you have on hand already to make these things. If you don't have it on hand, write it on your grocery list.

Print up your one week menu and post it on the refrigerator. Take your grocery list and buy everything on it (Don't worry about trying to get good deals or stay on budget right now, just stick to focusing on mastering your one-week menu successfully!).

Then, stick to your menu plan. After doing this for one week, mentally think through what worked and what didn't. Make a menu plan for the second week based upon these observations. Use the same plan you used the first week, but tweak it to be even better suited for you. Maybe add in another recipe or two, or try making a dessert for one night. Whatever you do, don't overdo! Once you get this down, you can try maybe cooking more elaborate dinners a few times a week, or cooking extra for your freezer, or planning your menu based upon sales, coupon-shopping and stocking your pantry, etc. But wait until you feel confident in a one week plan!

Cooking is something to be enjoyed, not a great burden. By keeping it simple and saving more difficult recipes for special occasions, it has really helped me to enjoy, not dread, my time in the kitchen.

Other recommened resources: More recipes and ideas can be found in my Simply Centsible Suppers booklet. You can also purchase it in ebook form here. For anyone looking for menu-planning help, I also recommend Menu Planning Made Easy and Martha's Family Cookery Book has lots of great ideas and recipes (complete with many menu plans) for those wanting to eat more healthfully and yet simply.

Crystal Paine is a 24-year-old homeschool graduate from Topeka, Kansas. She is the blessed wife of Jesse and joyful mother of Kathrynne. Visit her site, Biblical Womanhood, for books, articles, encouragement, and inspiration!

This article may be reprinted freely in your publications or on your website, provided it is reprinted in its entirety and the bio information is kept intact. Thank you!

We'd love to consider publishing your articles as well! Click here to submit your article and we will be glad to review it for possible inclusion on our website!