-how to plan meals-meal planning tips-

Meal Planning Tips

Always use a shopping list! Check the recipes ahead of time to make sure you have the needed ingredients. Don't wait till the last minute. Your neighbor may not have the extra tablespoon of vanilla that you need!

Unexpected Company
A casserole dish could be a lifesaver. Tuna noodle casserole or macaroni and cheese can be whipped up in no time. Always keep a couple extra cans of tuna,a package of noodles or macaroni and grated cheese on hand. Serve either with string beans, applesauce, bread and butter and beverage.

What to serve with your main course?
Here are some helpful hints:

Bacon: Corn Fritters with Maple Syrup

Hamburg: Toasted Buns and Sweet Onion Rings
Potato Salad and Carrots

Baked Ham: Sweet Potatoes and Spinach, ricece and Fried Pineapple Rings , Parsley Potatoes and Asparagus

Cold Ham: Baked Beans, Relish and Egg Rolls, Potato Salad and Dill Pickles

Ham Steak: Buttered Rice and Glazed Pineapple, Fried Eggs and Hash Brown Potatoes, Hominy, Corn Muffins and Fried Bananas

Hash: Poached Eggs and Green Salad

Hot Dogs: Sauerkraut and Baked Beans

Lamb Chops: Buttered Parley Potatoes and Succotash
Browned Potatoes, Spinach and Peas

Roast Lamb: Mashed Potatoes and Currant Jelly

Lamb Stew: Dumplings and Green Salad

Liver: Bacon and Corn Bread

Meat Loaf: Baked Potato and Canned Tomatoes
French Fries and Asparagus

Roast Pork: Brown Potatoes, Applesauce or Fruit Salad, Sweet Potatoes and Saurkraut, Mashed Potatoes, Celery or Apple Salad

Pork Chops: Scalloped Potatoes and Fried Apple Rings, Mashed Potatoes and Cole Slaw

Sausage: Fried Apples and Corn Bread, Mashed Potatoes and Pickled Peaches

Tongue: Buttered Noodles and Spinach

Veal: Baked Potato and Tossed Salad

Need a menu for Friday Night Supper?

Oven Fried chicken, creole rice, mixed green salad, fruit and beverage.
Easy and economical.

Add eye appeal and taste appeal by using attractive color,
flavor and texture combinations.

Serve hot foods hot and cold foods well chilled.

Experiment with new recipes and try different herbs
and spices. The herbs can make the ordinary dish
turn into the extraordinary!

Watch for information on ideas on how to make food appealing.
Information is usually found in the newspaper, magazines, television
and on the internet!

Menu for Christmas Dinner
From the Boston Cooking School Cookbook 1896
Consomm'e    Bread Sticks   Olives   Celery
Salted Pecans    Roast Goose    Potato Stuffing Apple Sauce
Duchess Potatoes    Creaam of LIma Beans      Chicken Croquettes with Green Peas
Dressed Lettuce with Cheese Straws
English Plum Pudding    Brandy Sauce    Frozen Pudding    Assorted Cakes
Bonbons     Crackers     Cheese    Cafe' Noir

More Easy Meal Planning Tips

Avoid a catastrophe-Use a meat thermometer

This way, the $40 rib roast will be edible!
Works on a turkey, or any other meats. Just follow directions. If making candy, also use a candy thermometer.

While preparing your feast, there is one cardinal rule!
Be sure to clean up as you go.

A mess can pile up quickly! Believe me..It is much easier to wipe a knife and put it back where it goes than to throw it in the sink with tons of other dishes, pots, pans, etc.
If you keep ahead of the game, you will be able to enjoy your guests and not worry what the kitchen looks like. Did you every try putting several days mail on the desk and then try to go through it? Gets frustrating, huh? This is the same
feeling you will get if you don't clean up as you go.

If you are throwing a really big party & have no experience in the kitchen I have only one recommendation. Set aside some money and hire a helper. Even if the helper is only going to clean and tidy up for you, this will ease a lot of stress..
You will have more time to focus on your entertaining and food preparation.

Tired of the same old sandwich?
Here are some different fillings you can try!
Great for lunch boxes and outdoor eating.

Hawaiian Ham Sandwich:
1 cup Ground Ham (cooked)
1/2 cup drained crushed pineapple
1 tablespoon Brown Sugar
1/8 teaspoon Cloves

Mix all together and spread on your favorite bread or roll.

O'Hara's Sandwich:
1 cup chopped corned beef (cooked)
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped kosher pickle
1/4 cup tomato juice

Mix all together and spread on your favorite bread or roll.

Back to Cooking Tips

Liver Sausage Salad Sandwich:
1/2 pound liverwurst
1/4 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup sweet pickle
1 tablespoon chopped onion
1 chopped hard boiled egg
3 tablespoons mayonnaise

Mix all together and spread on your favorite bread or roll!
The above sandwich spreads are servings for 6

East Coast Sandwich:
3 thinly sliced hot dogs(COOKED)
1/2 cup baked beans
2 tablespoons chopped onion
1 tablespoon chili sauce

Mix all together and spread on your favorite bread or roll!

Cheese Pimiento Sandwich:
1 cup shredded sharp cheese (experiment here)
2 tablespoons chopped pimiento
2 tablespoons mayonnaise

Mix all together and spread on your favorite bread or roll!

Making tea sandwiches?
To make it easier to cut the bread,
first place the loaf in refrigerator and chill. Be sure to have
the butter at room temperature when buttering bread.

Planning a Party?
If you will be using chopped onions, nuts, parsley, celery, etc.
for your party dishes, get a step ahead of the game. Chop all
of these the day before, wrap in saran wrap and place in refrigerator.
This really will be a time saver. Do you remember when people used guest books?
I had the pleasure of signing one a couple of years ago, and
it really made me feel special! Keep the guestbook in view,
so all will sign it. Makes for good memories and if gifts were
given at the party, you will have a record of who was there.
Try showing one at your next affair! You also record what was served
and what seemed to be the biggest hit!

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