Based upon the comments on the Mom Saves Money Coupon Swaps facebook group, many of us are doing No Spend months or maybe a week. Exciting times! If that’s not you or you’re looking to supplement what’s in your stock pile, check out Nicole’s list of the top sale items this week! Using items on sale this week, here are some menu suggestions. (Oh, yeah….want a monthly meal plan? Try this one!)
Main Dishes
Roasted Chicken – You’ll feel like it’s a mini-Thanksgiving if you make a roasted chicken for dinner! You can eat it as you would a turkey or bake one and use the chicken in all kinds of ingredients!
BLTs – Bacon is on sale and who doesn’t love bacon? I cook my bacon in the oven, then just serve between some buttered toast, add lettuce and tomato and you have a BLT sandwich. You can add deli turkey if you want a “bigger” meal!
Sausage, Potato & Green Pepper Hash – I love this recipe because it kind of feels like breakfast, but it’s hearty! Great way to combine smoked sausage and onions and peppers. You can get creative and add a little bit of cheese or different veggies like mushrooms if you dare!
Lasagna – I don’t often make it, so maybe it’s time that I make one again. I especially love the leftovers! You can also try this Lasagna Roll recipe with sausage.
Pot Roast – Ultimate in comfort food!
Don’t overlook all the fruits and veggies that are on sale this week too – even though it’s winter, you can make some roasted potatoes, apples with cream cheese dip, or a fruit salad!
This week, I made these banana bars. I make them often as I don’t like mushy bananas, so as soon as bananas get too ripe for my tastes (which is pretty quick), I just reserve them for banana bars! This particular recipe makes a jelly roll pan size (10 x 15 pan). If you’re not cooking for crowd, just half the recipe and make in a 9×13 pan. Keep an eye on the baking time though!
Although I’ve included a great recipe for homemade cream cheese frosting, I admit that I just use the stuff in a can. It’s just personal preference based upon time. And lack of desire to work with powdered sugar!
Banana Bars
Ingredients
Cake Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1-1/2 cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 medium ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 cup)
FROSTING:
- 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3-3/4 to 4 cups confectioners' sugar
Instructions
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, sour cream and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture. Stir in bananas.
- Spread into a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean (do not overbake). Cool.
- For frosting, in a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla until fluffy. Gradually beat in enough confectioners' sugar to achieve desired consistency. Frost bars. Store in the refrigerator.
Banana Bars
From Taste of Home
Ingredients
1/2 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 medium ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 cup)
FROSTING:
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3-3/4 to 4 cups confectioners’ sugar
Directions
1. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, sour cream and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture. Stir in bananas.
2. Spread into a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean (do not overbake). Cool.
3. For frosting, in a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla until fluffy. Gradually beat in enough confectioners’ sugar to achieve desired consistency. Frost bars. Store in the refrigerator.
Jayme is a wife to 1 and a mother to two little boys and a third boy due in April 2015. She coupons, but isn’t super extreme about it. She price matches and loves it! While she likes to cook, she’s in the stage of life where simple is usually better! She never knows how many hands she’ll have free at dinner time! You can find her at No Regrets Living.
