How to plan meals based on your basket

Where I live we get a basket every two weeks and for my family of 6 I purchase two shares (approx. 50 lb of produce). My goal is for these fruits and veggies to last us for an entire cycle or two weeks time. When we started buying baskets we only hot one and I was so intimidated by the things I hadn't tried yet that much of of spoiled or I gave away. Now, after almost a year of buying them we go through 2 baskets easily and sometimes even run out early. I absolutely LOVE the thought that my family is eating 50 lbs of fruits and veggies and what other not-so-healthy snacks the produce has replaced!! You may ask, are we vegetarians? Not at all - my boys love them some meat! The produce supplements our balanced diet, but is now based on a strong foundation of produce instead of more processed foods. Yesterday was basket pickup day, here is a step-by-step tutorial of how 50 lb of produce turns into a two-week menu!! :) NOTE: If you only get 1 basket you can still follow along, just pick half of the recipes or make smaller portions. Before you start get some scratch paper or print my meal planner.

STEP 1: Look at what you've got

Separate your produce into fruits and veggies, then if it is helpful for you, make a list. Here is what we got...

FRUIT:

Strawberries

Blueberries

Red Plums 

Bananas

Red Grapes

Romain Lettuce

Spaghetti Squash

Anaheim Peppers 

Fennel

Yellow Peppers

Cherry Tomatoes

Step 2: Fill in what's easy

If there is something in your basket that you plan to eat raw or in its original form, jot it down first. For us, most of the fruit is eaten with breakfast or as morning snacks so I don't need to look up recipes for those. 

Step 3: Fill in what you know
Does your family have a favorite recipe that uses one of the fruits or veggies? Write those down first. Keep in mind that some items may used for more than one meal. (To help save some money consider what you already have at home for your primary meal planning as well)

Step 4: Do some research
Find our what you can about the produce that is new to your family and finish your menu by writing down recipe ideas for everything that is left.

SAMPLE 14-Day Menu Based on Basket Produce

1. Grilled Chicken Salad (lettuce, tomatoes)
2. Shrimp Spaghetti Squash Alfredo (spaghetti squash)
3. Chili Relleno Casserole (anaheim peppers)
4. Huevos Rancheros with Homemade Green Chili (anaheim peppers)
5. Lasagna Stuffed Peppers (yellow peppers)
6. Chicken Ka-Bobs (cherry tomatoes)
7. Sweet and Sour Pork (yellow peppers)
8. Roasted Pork Tenderlion with Fennel (fennel)
9. Pot Roast (fennel)
10. Taco Salad (lettuce)
11. Spaghetti Squash Casserole
12. Baked Mac & Cheese with salad (lettuce, tomatoes)
13. Sloppy Joes with Hidden Veggies (yellow peppers)
14. BBQ Meatballs (yellow peppers)