Do you Menu?

Menu Planning may sound like a lot of work, but it's actually one of the laziest things I've ever done. Since I started planning our meals for the week (and eventually the month) I've noticed some improvements in the way we eat and in the way I shop. Knowing what's for dinner not only saves time, it saves money and helps us eat healthier as well.

By planning out the week's meals I can make a more effective list for the grocery store and purchase only those items that we will need for the week. I make fewer impulse and duplicate purchases, and have practically eliminated the mid-week run to the grocery store—not to mention those impromptu take-out nights.

And if you display your menu where the family will see it, you'll never hear the words, "Mom, what's for dinner?" again!

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Calzone

1 lb loaf bread dough (I use frozen)
1/4 cup pizza sauce* (optional)
1/2 lb ground beef, cooked and crumbled
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
pepperoni, green peppers, onions, and/or other pizza toppings as desired
1 - 2 T butter, melted
Awesome Breadstick Seasoning
2 T olive oil
extra pizza sauce* (for dipping)

Place bread in large bowl and pour olive oil over loaf; turn to coat. Cover bowl with plastic wrap. Place bowl in warm place and allow to rise until doubled**.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Turn dough onto lightly greased baking pan and press out into approx. a 10 - 12 inch circle. Spread sauce over one half of the dough making sure to leave about 1/2 inch at the edge clean for pressing together. Sprinkle half the mozzarella cheese over the sauce. Add ground beef and other pizza toppings over the cheese and add remaining cheese. Sprinkle generously with breadstick seasoning. Fold the uncovered side of the dough over and pinch the edges well to seal. Make a small slit in the top to vent.

Bake for approximately 25 - 30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and brush with melted butter (I usually just use the stick and rub it generously all over the top.) Sprinkle generously with breadstick seasoning.

Serves 2 (or more, depending on how many toppings added)

*Marinara may be substituted if desired
**This step will take several hours if using frozen dough.

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INDEX

APPETIZERS/SNACKS
Cream Cheese & Pickle Roll Ups
Easy Calzones/Hot Pockets
French Bread White Pizza
Grandma Kathy's Sweet & Sour Meatballs
Hot Crab Dip
Soft & Savory Breadsticks
SOUPS & SALADS
Angie's Favorite Tuna Pasta Salad
Baked Potato Soup
Chicken Salad
Chili
Creamy Lettuce
Cold Taco Salad
Cucumbers in Sour Cream
Cyndi's Egg Salad
Grandma Linda's Tuna Salad
Ham & Bean Soup
Incredibly Easy Potato Soup
Mom's Classic Macaroni Salad
Mom's Mac & Cheese Lunch
SIDE DISHES
Au Gratin Potatoes
Baked Macaroni & Cheese
Easy Cheesy Mashed Potatoes
Mom's Fried Potatoes
Pop Pop's Green Beans & Potatoes
Quick & Easy Baked Beans
Simple Spanish Rice
MAIN DISHES
BBQ Pork Sanwiches (shredded)
Breakfast Wraps
Catalina Chicken
Chicken Cordon Bleu
Beef and Broccoli
Cyndi's Chili Meatballs
Cyndi's Un-Stuffed Peppers
Deep Dish Dinner Pizza
Grammy's Fried Chicken
Hamburger Pizza
Impossible Cheeseburger Pie
Maryland Crab Cakes
Meatball Sub Casserole
Mom's Favorite Meatloaf
Mom's Secret French Toast
Pepper Steak
Pork & Sauerkraut
Salsa Chicken
Super Easy French Dip Sandwiches
ONE DISH MEALS & CASSEROLES
Baked Ziti
BBQ Beef Bake
Chicken Stew
Calzone
Chicken & Broccoli Fettuccine Alfredo
Crockpot Chili
Crock Pot Roast with Gravy
Incredibly Easy Crock Pot Roast
Italian Noodle Casserole
Mexican Rice with Chorizo Sausage
Mom & Cyndi's Beef Stew
Pizza Casserole
Pop Pop's Best Chili
Simple Oven Baked Ziti
Taco Noodle Casserole
Unstuffed Pepper Skillet
Yankee Pot Roast
DESSERTS
Busy Day Cheesecake
Dirt Cake
Dr. Pepper Cake
Easy Cinnamon Breadsticks
Fun Rice Krispie Treats
Glazed Lemon Cake
Graham Cracker Treats
Grandma Linda's Banana Pudding
Make-do Danish
Miss Carrie's Cherry Cheese Delight
M&M Cookies
Monkey Bread
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Peanut Butter Cookies
Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Quick & Easy Cream Cheese Icing
Sugar Cookies
Toll House Cookies
Watergate Salad
Yummy Banana Bread
OTHER
Awesome Breadstick Seasoning
Big Mac Sauce (Copycat)
Diane's Herbed Chicken Seasoning
Honey Butter