Help me go grocery shopping in the morning

I'd like to go to the co-op in the morning and get any groceries we'll need for the next week, but I am not in the mood for meal planning.  I went to the big, conventional store today and got enough food to last for quite a while, but I'd like to know what I'm going to make so I don't get stuck realizing that I need some peppers to make the perfect meal or something.  I don't do well making dinner decisions at 5pm.  (although we're getting better at saute'ing whatever the CSA throws at us)

Here's what the CSA is bringing us this week: green garlic, pea vines, arugula/saute' mix/spinach (one of the three), broccoli, hon tsai tai, rhubarb, asparagus, radishes, salad mix, burdock.  I've got a chicken, boneless skinless chicken breasts, chicken thighs, ground beef, a couple steaks, stew beef, beef ribs, and a couple other kinds of beef in the freezer.  I'd like to have 3-4 meat dishes over the course of the week and not to need too many additional veggies (I have carrots, onions, celery, and garlic in the fridge). 

What should I make/buy?

I've been comparing prices between two food buying clubs, my coop, and the big grocery store to see what I should buy where.  Surprisingly, the coop is the cheapest for a couple things, at least dried cranberries (organic) and regular rolled oats (organic).  One of the buying clubs has a smallish minimum free delivery order ($400) and offers five pound bags rather than only huge ones.  The prices are pretty similar to the giant-order-only buying club, so I can order what I want rather than splitting stuff with a lot of other families.  They deliver to our area once every two months, so I'm preparing to order at the end of June with the woman who lives at the house where I pick up my meat.  I was hoping to get flour and rice through them, but it looks like buying at the natural aisle of the big grocery store is about the same price in small containers.  Nuts and seeds and dried fruits can be much cheaper through the buying club.  The trick will be making sure we don't eat more because there's more in the house.  Keeping extra in the basement freezer will probably help. 

Comments

[Laura]

Hmm, looks like you just need some carbs.

Brown rice is a wonderful side dish. Cous cous (some places have whole wheat cous cous) is the a great quick side dish that can be flavored in just about any way (I generally grab the curry powder and basil) Noodles are another great thing to pair with a sauteed veggie meal.

You've got lots of salad fixings, paired with good bread and sliced cooked chicken breasts, that is another easy fast meal.

I'd probably also consider making or buying tortillas because you could make a great meat and veggie wrap with those.

Hope that provides a bit of inspiration :) I think I want to go over to your house and cook with your food :)

ooh, have you discovered the wonder of good balsamic vinegar with all your greens? I think balsamic vinegar (the kind with 5 grams of sugar per serving, this tends to be the expensive kind) is one of our favorite condiments around here. I have to prevent Samuel from drinking it out of the bottom of his salad bowl even though it makes him sputter when he does. It pairs well with cooked greens and salad greens.

[Beth Scott Stenglein]

We made a really good stir fry today for lunch with the hon tsai tai, some bok choy, broccoli shoots, and some baked tofu and salmon, with brown rice. It was really tasty!

[Beth Scott Stenglein]

I meant to say too (for all that chicken you have) that I make this recipe for families I bring postpartum meals to all the time, and it's my favorite chicken recipe: http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_32108,00.html

I've never made it in the oven though - I split the entire chicken in half by cutting out the backbone with poultry shears, then cutting through the breastbone with a really sharp knife. Then I cook it on my grill on medium to medium-low heat (we have a gas grill) for about 1 hour and 15 minutes. It is so good with the honey, lemon, and thyme! And very easy.