Menu Plan Monday, October 29

SUNDAY: Pot roast, mushrooms, onions, noodles and gravy

MONDAY: Tandoori Chicken, baked potato, vegetables

TUESDAY: Lemon Mushroom Herb Chicken, rice, crescent rolls, vegetables

WEDNESDAY: Meatball sandwiches. I've got the meatballs all made already, and I'll just start a roaster full of sauce in the afternoon.

THURSDAY: Pork Teriyaki, rice, broccoli

FRIDAY: Pierogi (bought frozen at our church's Fall Festival)

SATURDAY: Chili

Menu Plan week of October 22

OK, so I am really late doing this menu plan!

SUNDAY: Chicken parmesan, spaghetti, salad

MONDAY: Beef Paysanne with bow-tie noodles (New recipe, and it was delicious!)

TUESDAY: School fund-raiser night at Chick-Fil-A

WEDNESDAY: Chicken lo mein (a takeoff on my cashew chicken recipe, minus the nuts--I have to use up all the leftover spaghetti!)

THURSDAY: Spaghetti and meatballs

FRIDAY: If we have One More Pasta Dish this week I think the family will rebel! So it will be Spanish Garlic Shrimp over jasmine rice.

SATURDAY: A Pork Dish to be Named Later

Scarborough Fair Chicken Soup

2 bone-in chicken thighs (frozen is fine)
6 cups chicken broth
1 onion, chopped fine
2 stalks celery, chopped fine
1/2 cup chopped carrot
1 cup cooked chicken, cubed
handful of dried parsley
seasonings to taste:
sage
rosemary
thyme
black pepper
onion powder
garlic powder
1/2 lb bow-tie pasta (farfalle)

I made this soup in my 4-qt Nesco. Put in the chicken thighs and the broth. Turn on roaster to 225 until it boils, then down to 200. Let cook a few hours. Remove the chicken and let cool. Add remaining ingredients. Remove skin and bone from chicken thighs, cube the meat and return it to the pot. 20 minutes before serving, pour in the pasta.

Serves 6, generously.

This soup couldn't have been easier or more delicious. See if you can season it without channeling your inner Simon and Garfunkel.

Menu Plan week of October 15

I feel like I'm in something of a cooking rut here. And I can't figure out what I will be making for dinner Wednesday night. I need some good inspiration.

SUNDAY: We visited my parents. Grilled London Broil and "turkey London Broil" along with boiled red potatoes, corn on the cob and green beans.

MONDAY: Chicken Crescent Casserole

TUESDAY: Spaghetti

WEDNESDAY: I have NO idea!

THURSDAY: Taco skillet

FRIDAY: Shrimp fried rice

SATURDAY: Philly cheesesteak casserole (this one is an "invention in progress" so I will post it after the fact; inspired by a recipe I saw posted at Family Corner)

Menu Plan week of October 8

SUNDAY: visiting my in-laws. Pop's a great cook and my family is an appreciative audience--a winning combination.

MONDAY: Roast chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy and vegetables

TUESDAY: Spaghetti and meatballs (time to make the Big Batch)

WEDNESDAY: Hawaiian chicken with pineapple, Jasmine rice, broccoli

THURSDAY: Spanish rice with pork, corn muffins, salad

FRIDAY: Cheese ravioli with marinara sauce, salad

SATURDAY: Minny's Monte Cristo Sandwiches (new recipe of the week), fresh fruit

Menu Plan week of October 1

MONDAY: Pork medallions with onions, hash brown casserole, vegetable

TUESDAY: Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup and homemade bread

WEDNESDAY: Chicken piccata

THURSDAY: Spaghetti

FRIDAY: Quesadillas

SATURDAY: Appetizer night--Pepperoni bread, chili cheese dip

SUNDAY: Roast chicken

Menu Plan for the Month of October 2007

Here are 30 dinners to be served in October. I left one day open for "eat out" or visiting.

In no particular order:
4 spaghetti (including "make the big batch")
Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup
Chicken noodle soup (using leg quarters)
Vegetable alphabet beef soup
Chicken piccata
2 Appetizer Night: Pepperoni bread, Chili cheese dip
Breakfast for Dinner
Filet mignon (it's on SALE! Won't this be a nice surprise?)
Spanish rice with pork
Oven stuffer roaster
2 shrimp meals, could be Spanish Garlic Shrimp, Rainbow Stir Fry, Shrimp Marinara or Quiche
Taco skillet
Pork chops
Pork roast
Quesadillas
Ravioli marinara
Chili/hot dogs
Chicken noodle casserole
Pot roast
Hawaiian chicken
Cashew chicken
"Mummy dogs" for Halloween
Ranch chicken strips
Sausage with spaghetti

Heather's Tandoori Chicken

Source: To Love, Honor and Blog II

This recipe has become a family favorite, though no one can remember what it's called, other than "that really good chicken." Get the recipe at Cook and Count!

Menu for the weeek of September 23, 2007

SUNDAY: Teriyaki pork, rice, broccoli

MONDAY: Spaghetti

TUESDAY: Chicken Divan, crescent rolls

WEDNESDAY: Roast pork with potatoes and sauerkraut, or maybe roast pork with caramelized onion, or maybe balsamic roast pork

THURSDAY: Swiss Chicken Melt, rice

FRIDAY: Shrimp marinara over linguine

SATURDAY: Who knows? TheDad and Big Brother are camping with the Boy Scouts in the Washington, DC area.

Thinking ahead to next Sunday: Tandoori Chicken

Menu Plan Monday, September 17

SUNDAY: Barbecued pork ribs, French fries, salad

MONDAY: Roast turkey breast with stuffing, mashed potatoes, vegetables, crescent rolls

TUESDAY: Turkey noodle soup, salad

WEDNESDAY: Spaghetti and meatballs

THURSDAY: Chicken quesadillas

FRIDAY: Pierogi, mushrooms, bread (I'm cheating and using Mrs. T's pierogi. Shh! Don't tell my in-laws!)

SATURDAY: Sausage and pepper sandwiches

Visit the home of Menu Plan Monday to see lots more menu ideas and recipes!

Menu Plan Monday, September 10

SUNDAY: After serving a big brunch to the Boy Scout leaders, it was take-out pizza for dinner

MONDAY: Spicy Orange Chicken using the "lazy" method described at bottom; rice and broccoli

TUESDAY: We need a meal that can keep hot in the slow cooker for a little while since we're never sure what time Brig Brother will be home after a cross-country meet. This one works: Chicken paprikas, noodles

WEDNESDAY: Beef enchiladas, corn muffins, salad. This is a great way to use up leftover pot roast or roast beef--pour some canned enchilada sauce into a casserole dish, mix some sauce with shredded cooked beef, chopped onions and cheese, roll up enchiladas, and top with more sauce and cheese. Cover and bake at 350 for 20 minutes.

THURSDAY: Roast chicken, potatoes, green beans

FRIDAY: Cheese ravioli with marinara sauce

SATURDAY: Pork ribs on the grill, macaroni salad

Visit the home of Menu Plan Monday and check out everyone else's recipes and meal ideas!

Menu Plan Monday, September 3

One week ago today, this is what I was looking at:


But now it's back to reality!!

SUNDAY: Picnic with friends. We brought the Dr. Pepper Baked Beans and a batch of brownies (made by Middle Sister--she's got the magic touch when it comes to brownies)

MONDAY: Pork spareribs on the grill, macaroni salad, raw vegetable platter

TUESDAY: Turkey drumsticks for the kids, chicken chili blanco for grownups (this is already made and in the freezer, so I just need to defrost and heat it)

WEDNESDAY: Spaghetti and meatballs

THURSDAY: Barbecue chicken pizza (I saw a recipe for this someplace. Tore it out of a magazine, I think. If I can't find it, I'm sure I can improvise easily.)

FRIDAY: Tilapia

SATURDAY: London broil on the grill

Visit the headquarters of Menu Plan Monday to get lots of great meal-planning ideas!

Menu Plan for the Month of September 2007

This month I decided to do my plan a little differently.

I sat down with my freezer inventory list and made a list of 30 dinners that can be made with meat already on hand. That would pretty much clean out my freezer but I buy meat when it's at a good price, so I'm always restocking a bit at a time.

As I go through the month I will pick a week's worth at a time from the list I made.

So here is my list for September:
3 after-school track meets need quick, easy meals: Taco Skillet, Chili or Hot Dogs, Quick Chicken Divan (Family Corner)

Spaghetti once a week (4 nights)

Meatless on Fridays: *Tilapia, *Ravioli marinara, Pierogi, Shrimp marinara

Regular dinners:
*Turkey drumsticks for the kids, chicken chili blanco for grownups
*Pot roast enchiladas
*Pork ribs
Roast chicken
Teriyaki pork
*Barbecue chicken pizza
*Chicken paprika
Empanadas
Swiss chicken melt
*Hot dogs
Cashew chicken
*Sausage & pepper sandwiches
*Spicy orange chicken
Roast pork & vegetables
*London broil
*Chicken noodle soup
Pork chops
Chicken piccata
*Eat out once

Tote Bag Contest

These are some gorgeous totes! I'd be heading to the library in high style with one of these, for sure.

Enter the contest by visiting this post and leave a comment, and link at your blog (if you have one).

Contest hosted by Musings of a Housewife.

Menu Plan Monday, August 20

This is a two-week menu plan since we will be leaving for vacation at the Jersey Shore on Saturday.

MONDAY: Szechuan Chicken with rice (new recipe)

TUESDAY: Spaghetti

WEDNESDAY: Chicken pot pie

THURSDAY: Pork roast with roasted potatoes and carrots

FRIDAY: Pizza

VACATION DINNERS (in no particular order; it will depend on what each day brings in terms of weather and visitors)
1. Eat out
2. Spaghetti
3. Taco Skillet
4. Swiss Chicken Melt
5. Paula Deen's Sesame Chicken Strips
6. Pot roast
7. Spanish Garlic Shrimp

See you all in September!

Visit the home of Menu Plan Monday to see lots of creative menus and get some great recipes (that's where I found the Chicken Pot Pie we're having this week!)

Cookbook Review: Quick Fix Meals by Robin Miller

I've spent a good chunk of the afternoon browsing through Robin Miller's Quick Fix Meals, published in 2006 by the Food Network and Taunton Press.

I enjoy Robin Miller's show on the Food Network. While I have never wound up making one of her recipes, I've gained a lot of tips and strategies from watching the show.

This cookbook contains 200 recipes, advertised on the cover as "simple, delicious recipes to make mealtime easy." That's very true!

Here's what I liked about this book:
These are convenient meals without the use of convenience foods! Once in a while she calls for a canned ingredient, but I didn't see any recipes asking for boxed mixes (full of salt and sugar), jarred spaghetti sauce (again, the salt and sugar), or goopy condensed cream soup. This, by far, is the best part about the book.

Robin Miller's recipes depend on a planned menu. I'm all for that!

This book is LOADED with tips! There are storage tips, planning tips, prep tips, health tips, information about ingredients, easy variations, and more. Even if you don't make the recipes, read this book for the tips! And pages 2 through 11 are fully-packed with information that anyone can use with any recipe. It's totally worth reading.

The directions are clear and easy to follow. Cook times are broken down into prep time, active cooking time, and walk-away time.

Directions also come with suggestions for where you can "stop" in a recipe and store the food in the fridge or freezer for finishing and eating later.

The recipes are often healthy-but-flavorful twists on old favorites (such as cacciatore, fra diavolo, lo mein).


Here's what I didn't like:
I think I'd go broke buying all the ziplock bags she uses....how about using some reusable containers instead? Is Ziplock her sponsor?

The recipes were heavy on Thai, curry, and cilantro--3 flavors that are not popular with anyone in my family. We're not picky; in fact, I'd say my kids are fairly adventurous eaters, but we don't care for that kind of food.

All the text in the book is green and brown. It's kind of pretty, but I find it hard on the eyes. She tells stories about the recipe in green, and gives the information in brown. I'd prefer just using italics to set apart the story and keep all the text black.

Most of the pictures in the book were Robin Miller. Sometimes we see her with a pot, pan or knife in her hand. Sometimes we just see Robin Miller. I want to see the FOOD! Make me drool! Make me want to cook this recipe tonight so we can eat it! There's a color-photo section in the middle of the book, but I like to see a photo next to the recipe, not go hunting for it.

Love the stories, hate the bad jokes. And it gets a little old, hearing about how "crazy" her life is every day. Yes, that's the premise of the technique, but enough already.

I think it's safe to say that the things I didn't like were generally minor things, and not something that would put me off from the book.

All told, I'd give this book a B+.

**This is an unsolicited review. As a matter of fact, the book is a library book; I was not given a free copy and I have not yet purchased a copy. So there's nothing in it for me for sharing my opinion here.

Works-for-Me Wednesday: Flags

I love those little Post-It flags. They are fabulous for so many things!

* In a planner I had last year, there were no tabs to separate each month. I put a flag for each month; even labeled them!

* I have a few family favorite recipes in various cookbooks. The flags make it easy to find them quickly. Again, you can write on the flags!

* They work great as bookmarks.

I've gotten quite a few as free samples from the manufacturer. You can use them again and again--so they're frugal as well as useful. Works for me!

Visit Rocks in my Dryer to see links to the rest of the Works-for-Me Wednesday participants.

Menu Plan Monday, August 13

Here's what's in the plan for this week:

MONDAY: I'll be picking up the kids at my parents' house; they stayed over there while TheDad and I attended a wedding. Hopefully we'll eat with my parents before we head for home--otherwise, I guess it will be fast food on the road.

TUESDAY: Steak fajitas and cheese quesadillas. We'll be using up the leftover London broil from Saturday in the fajitas. A friend gave us some green bell peppers from her garden so those will be great in the fajitas as well.

WEDNESDAY: Trying a new recipe! Spicy Orange Chicken that I picked up at "And Miles to Go." *

THURSDAY: Spaghetti and meatballs

FRIDAY: Spanish Garlic Shrimp

SATURDAY: Barbecued Chicken

Check out all the other participants in Menu Plan Monday! It just keeps getting bigger and better.

Just a note about links: I have started a blog specifically to save all those delicious-sounding recipes I find through Menu Plan Monday or other online sources. This is basically to help me keep these recipes close at hand. So I noted the original source of the recipe when I had that available. When I try the recipe, I will update my "untried cookbook" with my review of the recipe. But I figure this is the only way I can give credit where it is due, and still keep my sanity with all these great recipes that I've been finding!

Crockpot Festival!

Barbara is hosting a Crockpot Festival at her cooking blog.

I just got Big Brother's school calendar in the mail today, and I know the other kids' calendar will soon follow. Then it will be the cross-country meet schedule, and basketball season, and, well, you know the drill! I'll need all the great slow-cooking recipes I can get my oven mitts on.

Contest for Homemakers!

Check out this contest over at Mrs. Pear's blog! She'd like some input on a book she's preparing to write, geared toward women who would like support in staying at home with their families.

To enter, just read the question in each post and answer it in her comments box.

Prizes include some really interesting books. Two of them are cookbooks (my favorite!)