Better Homes and Gardens BH&G Meal Planning 2024

HAS A DIFFERENT MEANING TO EVERY PERSON YOU TALK TO. For some, it means preparing all of your recipes on the weekend for a jump start to the week. For others, it means planning easy weeknight recipes. In this magazine, we’ve got it all covered. Planning out your meals helps to reduce stress and saves you time during the week by removing the decision-making around food. It may even help you save a little extra money since you’ll be less tempted to dine out for lunch or dinner. Make a Plan. Set aside a little time on the weekend, or your day off, to make a menu for the week. You can focus on just dinners or plan for it all—breakfasts, snacks, lunches, dinners, and even desserts. To keep yourself organized, write…

HAM AND EGG BREAKFAST SANDWICHES HANDS ON 20 minutes BAKE 12 minutes at 375°F COOL 5 minutes Nonstick cooking spray12 eggs½ cup half-and-half or milk½ tsp. salt¼ tsp. black pepper1 5-oz. pkg. fresh baby spinach6 pieces (20 oz.) purchased focaccia or 6 ciabatta rolls (3.5 oz. each)6 Tbsp. purchased basil pesto or dried tomato pesto12 slices Gouda or provolone cheese8 oz. sliced ham 1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a 13×9-inch baking pan with foil (make sure there are no holes in the foil). Coat foil with cooking spray. In a blender combine eggs, half-and-half, salt, and pepper; cover and blend until combined. Add spinach; cover and blend until just chopped. Pour egg mixture into prepared pan. Bake until eggs are just set, 12 to 15 minutes. Cool eggs in pan 5 minutes. Using foil,…

DIY SMOOTHIE KIT HANDS ON 10 minutes FREEZE 4 hours 1 cup cut-up fruit½ cup raw cut-up vegetable1 Tbsp. chopped or ground nuts or seeds1 to 2 Tbsp. Greek yogurt1 to 2 whole pitted dates, choppedSUPER POWDERS (far right)(optional)⅔ to ¾ cup liquid 1. In a 12- to 16-oz. freezer-safe cup with a lid or a 16-oz. reusable silicone storage pouch, combine all ingredients except liquid. Cover or seal and label. Freeze at least 4 hours or up to 3 months. 2. Let frozen cup stand 10 minutes, then loosen with a thin spatula. In a blender combine the contents of the cup and ⅔ cup liquid. Cover and blend until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides and adding additional liquid as needed. Makes 1 serving (1½ cups). SUPER POWDERS Stir in any of these natural boosters…

COCONUT CREAM PIE OVERNIGHT OATS HANDS ON 10 minutes CHILL 6 hours 3 cups milk2 cups regular rolled oats1 3.9-oz. pkg. instant coconut cream pudding and pie filling¼ cup crushed shortbread cookies¼ cup toasted flaked coconut (tip, p. 88)Whipped cream (optional) 1. Add ¾ cup milk, ½ cup oats, and a scant 3 Tbsp. pudding mix to each of four pint or half-pint jars. Stir to combine. 2. Cover and chill at least 6 hours or overnight. 3. In a bowl stir together crushed cookies and coconut. To serve, stir oat mixture. Top each jar with cookie mixture. If you like, top with whipped cream and additional coconut and shortbread cookies. Makes 4 servings (1 cup each). PER SERVING 428 cal., 12 g fat (7 g sat. fat), 15 mg chol., 416 mg sodium, 69 g carb.,…

SHOPPING LIST* ▢ 1 pkg. (20-count) 6-inch flour tortillas▢ 1 small knob fresh ginger▢ 1 bulb garlic▢ 1 fresh jalapeño pepper▢ 1 (6-oz.) container plain low-fat yogurt▢ 1 lime▢ 1 (1-lb.) pkg. long grain white rice▢ 1 wedge Parmesan cheese (8 oz.)▢ 1 whole fresh pineapple▢ 1 (1.5-lb.) pkg. boneless pork tenderloins (Look for the package that has two skinny pork tenderloins in it. Or use two small tenderloins.)▢ 1 (1-lb.) pkg. dried linguine▢ 1 (10-oz.) can mild red enchilada sauce▢ 1 (8-oz.) block mild cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese▢ 1 whole rotisserie chicken▢ 1 bunch fresh cilantro▢ 1 bunch green onions (6 or 7)▢ 1 (14- to 16-oz.) pkg. shredded cabbage with carrots (coleslaw mix)▢ 1 (1-oz.) pkg. original taco seasoning mix▢ 8 oz. fish such as cod or other…

Cincinnati Chili In a small saucepan combine one 38-oz. can chili, ½ tsp. ground cinnamon, and ¼ tsp. ground allspice. Heat over medium until just simmering. Add water to chili to reach desired consistency. Meanwhile, cook 8 oz. dried spaghetti according to package directions; drain. Spoon chili over spaghetti and top with shredded cheddar cheese and chopped onion. If you like, serve with oyster crackers. Makes 4 servings (1¾ cups each). Empanadas Preheat oven to 400°F. Thaw one 11.6-oz. pkg. (12) 5-inch baking empanada dough discs according to package directions. For filling, in a medium bowl stir together one 15-oz. can chili, one 4-oz. can diced green chiles (drained), and 1 cup shredded pepper Jack cheese. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Place an empanada disc on baking sheet; spoon 2 Tbsp.…