How I cook

Cooking for the month can be challenging if you think about 30 dinner menus. Instead I use both crock pots to cook menus that improve with second or third go arounds. We do a pot of red beans, white beans, chili, chicken gumbo, seafood gumbo (when seafood is on sale), spaghetti, spaghetti soup, vegetable soup, chicken soup, lasgna (again when cheese is on sale), shrimp creole, chicken stew, beef stew and so on. Each pot makes at least 3 meals sometimes 4. I save fresh cooked meals such as baked chicken, catfish or pork chops for those nights when we need a lift if you know what I mean. Still a lot cheaper than going out to eat. Oh, I also forgot - I make Spanish rice, double batch, and freeze half to go with frozen soft tacos. Individually wrap the soft tacos and you can pull out a couple for a quick lunch at home or work. I only buy boneless skinless chicken breast when the store has it on sale for $1.68 a pound & then I buy a minimum of 6 pounds. I also shop for the manager's special on ground beef - always a great bargain.