The NestKeepr System: Menu Plan and Grocery List Two

Menu Plan & Grocery List #2

_{Published January 8, 2025 by Nicole Dieckman}

_{This article may contain affiliate links, please see our disclosure policy.}

Welcome to The NestKeepr Menu Plan and Grocery List System #2! If this is your first time seeing our menu system click here for a quick explanation about what this is and is not.

Menu Plan #2

Comfort Food Meal – Bacon Cheeseburger w/ Shoestring Fries

Rice Bowl Meal – Kielbasa Rice Bowl

Dinner Salad Meal – Fried Chicken Caesar Salad

Click on the image below for a printable PDF of MP #2

Comfort Food Meal: Bacon Cheeseburger w/ Shoestring Fries

For this menu item you’ll need these Ingredients:

Hamburger Buns
80/20 Ground Beef (1lb per 4 people)
Seasonings (seasoning salt, pepper, garlic powder)
Sliced American Cheese
Bacon
Romaine Lettuce
Sliced Tomato
Sliced Onion
Condiments (ex: mayo, thousand island dressing)
Russet Potatoes (about 1 per person)
Oil for frying (olive oil if air frying- my preference)

Directions:

Bacon:

Cook the Bacon: Heat a pan over medium heat and cook bacon until crispy.
Drain the Bacon: Remove bacon from the pan and place it between two paper towels on a plate to absorb excess grease.

Burgers:

Form the Patties: Divide 1 lb of ground beef into 4 equal portions and shape each into a patty.
Season the Patties: Season with seasoning salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Cook the Patties: Heat a pan over medium heat with olive oil. Add patties and cook:
- For well-done: Cook 5 minutes on each side (adjust for your preferred doneness).
Add Cheese: After flipping, add two slices of cheese to each patty and let melt.

Fries:

Prepare the Potatoes: Wash one russet potato and slice it thinly. Then cut those slices into fries (see video for an example).
Soak the Fries: Place fries in a water bath for 15-30 minutes to remove excess starch.
Dry the Fries: Pat fries dry between two paper towels.
Season the Fries: Toss fries with olive oil and salt.
Cook in the Air Fryer: Line the air fryer basket with fries (optional: use aluminum foil for easier cleanup). Cook at 375°F for 20 minutes, checking every 5 minutes to flip/stir for even cooking. Remove once golden brown.

Burger Toppings:

Prepare Romaine Lettuce: If using bagged lettuce, simply remove from the bag. If using whole heads, wash and chop.

Prepare Tomato: Slice one large tomato.

Prepare Onion: Slice one large white or yellow onion.

Assemble burgers and serve with fries on the side!

Watch below for a quick visual how to on shoestring french fries.

Watch below for full tutorial:

Rice Bowl Meal: Kielbasa Rice Bowl

For this menu item you”ll need these Ingredients:

Kielbasa (2 pkgs for 4-5 people)
Bell Peppers (4-5 multi colors)
1 White or Yellow Onion
Rice
Sriracha for drizzle (optional)

Directions:

Cook the Rice: Prepare rice according to package directions or your preferred method. For 4 servings, use 2 cups of rice. (Example: 2 parts water to 1 part rice. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to simmer, and cook for 20 minutes. Remove from heat and let rest, covered, for 5-10 minutes.)
Season the Rice: Stir in 2 tablespoons of butter and two pinches of salt, or to taste, before covering the rice to simmer.
Cook the Kielbasa: Slice the kielbasa and sauté over medium heat until golden brown on both sides, about 5-7 minutes.
Sauté the Vegetables: Slice the bell peppers and onion. Sauté in olive oil over medium heat for 5 minutes, seasoning with salt and pepper. (Optional: add Italian seasoning to taste.)
Combine Kielbasa and Veggies: Add the cooked kielbasa to the sautéed vegetables and mix well.
Serve: Spoon the kielbasa and vegetable mixture over the rice.
Optional Drizzle: Add a drizzle of sriracha for extra flavor, if desired.

Serve and Enjoy!

Dinner Salad Meal: Fried Chicken Cesar Salad

For this menu item you’ll need these Ingredients:

Chicken Breasts (Thick Breasts – 2 per four people)
5 Eggs
Milk
Seasonings (salt, pepper, Italian seasonings)
Italian Style Breadcrumbs
Romaine Lettuce
Caesar Dressing
Baguette
Shredded Parmesan Cheese

Directions:

Fried Chicken:

Butterfly the Chicken: Slice each chicken breast horizontally to create two thin pieces.
Season the Chicken: Sprinkle both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper.
Prepare Egg Wash: Whisk together 5 eggs with a splash of milk, and season with salt and pepper.
Set Up Dredging Station: Place a plate of Italian-style breadcrumbs next to the egg wash.
Heat Skillet: Add olive oil to a skillet and heat over medium.
Coat the Chicken: Dredge each piece of chicken in the egg wash, then coat in breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure an even layer. Repeat the process to double-coat each piece.
Cook the Chicken: Place the breaded chicken in the hot skillet. Cook, turning often to prevent burning, until both sides are golden brown and crisp.
Check for Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Croutons:

Prepare the Baguette: Slice the baguette lengthwise, then cube the slices into small squares. Set aside in a bowl to dry out slightly while you prepare the rest of the meal.
Season the Bread: Once ready to make the croutons, toss the cubed bread with olive oil, salt, and Italian seasoning.
Heat the Pan: Place a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat.
Cook the Croutons: Add the bread cubes to the hot pan. Sauté, stirring often, until the edges are dark golden and crispy. Test a crouton for your desired crispness.
Finish: Remove the croutons from the heat once they’re done.

Assemble Salad:

Prepare the Romaine: If using pre-washed, bagged romaine, simply empty the bags into a bowl. If not, chop and wash the lettuce before placing it in a large bowl.
Dress the Salad: Add Caesar dressing to the bowl and toss the romaine until evenly coated.
Serve: Divide the dressed salad into individual serving dishes.
Add Parmesan: Sprinkle each serving with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Top with Chicken: Add sliced fried chicken on top of each salad.
Finish with Croutons: Top each salad with freshly made croutons, then sprinkle again with Parmesan cheese.

Grocery List #2

To place grocery list items in an Amazon Fresh cart (if you are in an area serviced by Amazon Fresh) and have them delivered to your home, click on the links the ingredients section of each meal, otherwise for a printable grocery list click on the image below.