Meatloaf, Potatoes & Green Beans

Tonight's dinner was simple comfort food, compliments of Angel Food Ministries. Since I have been out of work for awhile now (and with little prospect of getting back to work in this economy), I started purchasing the Angel Food boxes several months ago and have found it to be a great budget stretcher. I do most of my grocery shopping at the WalMart Supercenter, primarily because it's the closest store and also it's awfully convenient to get everything in one place, and I have found that my food bill has gone down substantially since purchasing food through the Angel Food Ministries plan.

There is a basic $30 food box - generally there are at least 2 of those to choose from - this month, there is a Thanksgiving box too. Once you purchase the basic box, you then have the option of selecting from any number of meat specials that are available. This is where we now get the majority of the meat that we eat.

The food is excellent quality and a great value and has been such a blessing for my husband and me since we are on a fixed income. It is not a charity, rather more like a food co-op really, so there are no qualifications that must be met, or applications to be made - anybody can buy! And you can buy as many boxes as you want. Click on that link and and check them out if you need a little help with your food budget in these difficult financial times.

This month's box had a premade meatloaf with brown gravy (that was pretty darned tasty) and that's what we had for dinner tonight, to which I added steamed green beans and a baked potato, and a couple slices of the whole wheat bread I made today.

If you think Angel Food Ministries might be something you'd be interested in too, either for yourself or for someone else, click on the link and see if there is a host sight near you. Some people purchase them to give to families in need. Some host sites also take the orders over the internet now so all you'll have to do then is show up on distribution day - or send a teen - to pick up your boxes!

Here's the November 2008 menu.

Basic Box #1 - $30

1.5 lb. New York Strip Steak (4 x 6 oz.)
3 lb. IQF Split Chicken Breast
2 lb. Baby Back Pork Ribs
2 lb. Chicken Chunks
2 8 oz. Jumbo Charbroiled Beef Patties with Gravy
1 lb. Smoked Sausage
1 lb. Ground Turkey
1 lb. Green Beans
1 lb. Diced Sweet Potatoes
10 oz. Peanut Butter
15 oz. Cranberry Sauce
7 oz. Beef-Flavored Rice & Vermicelli
20 oz.Shoestring Fries
32 oz. 2% Reduced Fat Shelf-Stable Milk
6 oz. Pancake Mix
One Dozen Eggs
One Dessert Item

THANKSGIVING DINNER BOX #2 - $30
(Quantities are Limited, So Place Your Order Today!!)

Our special holiday box contains everything you need for a traditional Thanksgiving meal. Order one for your family and one for a family in need this holiday season.
Feeds average Family including 2 adults and 2 children.

7lb. (avg.) Perdue Roasting Hen
2 lb. Heat and Serve Mashed Potatoes
2 lb. Heat and Serve Corn
2 lb. Heat and Serve Green Beans
17 oz. Cornbread Stuffing
4.5 oz. Brown Gravy Mix
15 oz. Cranberry Sauce
8 Dinner Rolls
One Dessert Item

SENIOR/CONVENIENCE BOX #3 - $28
For Seniors or People on the Go! (These must be like frozen dinners I think?)

Ten perfectly seasoned, nutritionally balanced, fully cooked meals—just heat and serve. Each meal has been developed with the dietary needs of senior citizens in mind, and contains 3 oz. of protein, a starch & two vegetables or fruit.

Sweet 'n Sour Chicken: Slow-Cooked Chicken Chunks served in a Sweet 'n Sour Sauce over Steamed Rice. Steamed Broccoli with Mushroom Pieces accompanied by Wax Beans.

Spaghetti with Meat Sauce: Spaghetti Noodles served with a Rich Traditional Italian Meat Sauce, Seasoned Italian Green Beans, Diced Pears and an Oatmeal Cookie.

Chili Con Carne: Chili Con Carne with Ground Beef served with Elbow Macaroni, Carrot Coins and Beets with Onions.

Chicken with Creole Sauce: Tender Chicken Pieces served with Classic Creole Sauce, accompanied by Mashed Potatoes, Peas with Mushrooms and Pineapple Chunks.

Ground Beef Teriyaki Stir Fry: Seasoned Ground Beef with a Teriyaki-Flavored Sauce served over Penne Noodles, accompanied by Lemon Pepper Green Beans, and a Sugar Cookie.

Chicken Ala King: Luscious Chicken in traditional Ala King-Style Sauce, served over Rice, with Seasoned Green Beans and Sliced Beets.

Beef Cabbage Casserole: Seasoned Ground Beef interlaced with delicious Cabbage Leaves, served with Creamed Potatoes and Green Peas with Carrots.

Chicken Rice Pilaf: Tender White Chicken served over perfect White Rice Pilaf, accompanied by Broccoli Cuts with Diced Red Peppers and a Chocolate Chip Cookie.

Turkey Tetrazzini: Diced Turkey in a luscious Cream Sauce with Mushroom Pieces served over Spaghetti, accompanied by Seasoned Green Beans with Onions and Italian Seasoned Diced Tomatoes.

Chicken Stew: Slow-Cooked White Chicken with Diced Potatoes and Diced Tomatoes lightly seasoned and folded into a Chicken-Flavored Broth. Stew is served over lightly seasoned Rice with a side dish of Sliced Celery and Carrot Coins, a Southern Biscuit and Apple Sauce for dessert.

***One or More Specials Below Available Only with the Purchase of Either of the Boxes Above***

NOVEMBER SPECIAL #1
7 lb. Grill Box - $21.00

2 lb. Choice Cut Beef Roast
2 lb. St. Louis Style Pork Ribs
2 lb. Hamburger Beef Steaks (4 x 8 oz.)
1 lb. Mild Italian Sausage with Mozzarella Cheese

NOVEMBER SPECIAL #2
4.5 lb. Meat Combo - $21.00

1.5 lb. Bone-In Ribeye Steaks (2 x 12 oz.)
1.5 lb. Kansas City Strip Steaks (2 x 12 oz.)
1.5 lb. Boneless Center-Cut Pork Chops (4 x 6 oz.)

NOVEMBER SPECIAL #3
4.5 lb. Flavored Boneless/Skinless Chicken Breasts - $18.00

1.5 lb. Rotisserie Flavor (4 x 6 oz.)
1.5 lb. Lemon-Fajita Flavor (4 x 6 oz.)
1.5 lb. Sun-Dried Tomato Flavor (4 x 6 oz.)

NOVEMBER SPECIAL #4
Fresh Fruit and Veggie Box - $21.00

3 lb. North Carolina New Crop Red Rome Apples
3 lb. Washington State New Crop Granny Smith Apples
4 lb. New Crop Florida Navel Orange
1 stalk California Celery (in sleeve)
4 lb. Premium Idaho Baking Potatoes
3 lb. New Crop North Carolina Sweet Potatoes
2 each Ruby Red Florida Grapefruit
1 lb. Premium California Carrots (cello wrapped)
2 lb. Large-Medium Yellow Onions

Click here for some recipe ideas using Angel Food Ministries ingredients!