How to Plan a Menu

When you have a very busy schedule having a menu is a lifesaver. But how do you do it? How do you plan a menu? How do you write a menu? How do you get started?

First things first. Get comfortable. Brew a pot of tea or coffee, pull out a calendar and print off the blank menu form and put on your thinking cap. Learn more here.

What questions to ask when you plan a menu

Begin by asking yourself and family questions. Hey, kids I’m going to plan a menu – what do want for supper this week? What’s going on this week? The next several weeks? This month?

Ask yourself – do I have all my base ingredients? Do I have chicken bone broth in the freezer? Oh dear, running low. Probably need to roast a couple of chickens and save the bones. Plan on making chicken bone broth next week.

Ask yourself – what’s going on this week?  Little Johnny has T-ball practice on Tuesday or little Susy has soccer practice. You or your better half are working late Wednesday night. Those nights need fast healthy meals.

Ask yourself – what’s going on this month?  We’re going on vacation in 2 weeks. Let’s try to eat up all the fresh veggies/ fruit by the end of next week. Make a double batch of something this week and put in the freezer so when we get home from vacation, a meal is already prepared.

Ask yourself – what day will be my prep day?  We’re busy with the kids all day Saturday, but Sunday afternoon will work.

Exactly how to plan a menu

You’ve asked the questions, now get started. Try to have at least two vegetables of different colors so the food looks appetizing. Everyone needs to eat their dinner –

Figure out what you want to prepare on prep day. Roast 2 chickens on prep day.  Make a double batch of cauliflower mash on prep day. Make chicken soup.  Make Einkorn hamburger buns. Make a dessert, maybe gingersnap cookies.

Serve one chicken for dinner and debone the other to make chicken soup for lunches. The oven will be on so roast veggies too. Either roasted potatoes or sweet potatoes. Something green – salad, peas or green beans. You’ll need carrots, celery, and onion for soup.

Want to make bison casserole? Make a double batch of cauliflower mash when you make chicken tenders during the week. One batch for your topping for the casserole and the other batch as side dish to go with homemade chicken tenders. Two fast delicious meals for those busy weeknights.

Leftover casserole for another meal. Eggs for dinner maybe a frittata or omelets with a side salad and hamburgers on the grill with Einkorn hamburger buns. Make the buns on prep day and freeze them when they are needed for a fast meal.

Take a look at a  sample menu here.

Now you know exactly what questions to ask when you plan a menu, you know exactly how to write a menu. Use that knowledge and plan a menu. Good luck and have fun!

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