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Tuesday, February 23, 2010

The Wanna Cook It Book

Did you notice that this week's menu plan has been MIA? I've learned the hard way that I can't operate without a plan, so I really do have one. I just haven't had the time to get it posted quite yet.

My plan this week revolves around my newly organized Wanna Cook It Book. This is a book that I just finished putting together last week. It's filled with recipes that I've been wanting to try - been meaning to try! - but haven't remembered to include in my weekly plan.

I don't know about you, but I love finding recipes online and in magazines. I print them, clip them, and then stuff them into my recipe box. My box was so full that I was having trouble finding the recipes that I use on a regular basis. So I sorted through them and pulled out the recipes that I had found online and in magazines. I left my go-to recipes and the ones that had been given to me by friends and family.

I put the printed and clipped recipes into page protectors and organized them all into a three-ring binder. I'm calling it my Wanna Cook It Book and keeping it in my kitchen. I was even able to make the recipes that were on tiny pieces of paper more visible by putting several of them on the same page.


My goal is to incorporate at least one of those recipes into each week's menu plan. As I use the recipes, I'll either keep them in the book (if we love them) or toss them (if we don't). This week, I decided to kick start this idea by using 6 of the recipes.

Here's the plan for this week.

Monday
Leftover Cheeseburger Soup (recipe coming soon)

Tuesday
Popcorn Chicken
This recipe is from Laura at Heavenly Homemakers. This girl can COOK!
Sweet Potatoes with Glaze
Healthified Brownies

Wednesday
Crock Pot Chicken Parmesan
This recipe is from Erin at Five Dollar Dinners. Be sure to check out her cookbook!

Thursday
Crock Pot Pasta Fagioli Soup
Homemade Bread or Cornbread

Friday
Pita Pizzas

Saturday
Bistro Mac & Cheese
This recipe is from a Taste of Home Magazine.
Corn or Green Beans

Sunday
Leftover Pasta Fagioli Soup
Bread

For more ideas that work, stop by Works for Me Wednesday hosted by We Are THAT Family.

For more great menu planning ideas, stop by Menu Plan Monday hosted by I'm an Organizing Junkie.

8 comments:

Half-Assed Housewife said...

Too Funny. I just posted almost exactly the same idea. I use a photo album though!

kaycee @ halfassedhousewife.com

Jennifer said...

Kaycee - I saw that after I linked up. I thought it was funny that we had almost the same idea! It looks like we went about it a little differently but got the same end product. I've been cooking out of mine this week. I've had one recipe flop, one that was really good, and one that was so-so. I'm planning to toss the so-so one and make an adjustment to the flop. I think it was probably something I did! :)

Ally said...

I really like this idea! I just might have to give it a try. My recipes are usually scribbled out and stuck to my fridge with magnets. This book would be a lot more organized!

Mom2fur said...

I have a recipe binder (in fact, I have two--one is a small one for very favorite recipes), but I never thought of making a 'want to try it' binder! I'm going to do this asap--it'll be a lot nicer than the piles of papers I have thrown in a drawer! Thanks for a great idea.

Lana said...

Love this idea. Thanks!

Betsy L said...

I make the exact same Pasta Fagioli recipe.
We eat it once a week. The recipe makes a large batch so when it is done cooking and before I serve it, I put half in the freezer for next week. Our whole family, even our three kids (Ages 5, 3 and 2) really like it.

Jennifer said...

Ally - My fridge would look like I'd wallpapered it if I hung my printed recipes there! :) I've been finding TONS of them lately!

Mom2fun -- I'm totally with you on the piles!

Lana - You're welcome! :)

Betsy - I'm glad to hear from someone who's tried it, because it's new to us this week. Can't wait!

Penelope said...

I do this with my clipped or printed recipes too! LOVE it! The page protector keeps the recipes protected from spills too...