My Prayer Intentions

Remember, O Most Gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of Virgins, my Mother. To thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, by in thy clemency hear and answer them. Amen.

When I read or type these intentions, I will be praying in my heart for those mentioned here.

For my husband, who works really hard, who has stress at work, and whom I love very much. Saint Joseph, pray for him.
For my children, that they may grow up healthy and strong in their faith. Saint Joseph, Saint John Bosco, and Saint Anthony, pray for them.
For my mom, whose doctor had some concerns after her routine mammogram. Our Lady of Perpetual Help, pray for her. Saint Anthony, pray for her.
For Miss Barbara who is being treated for leukemia. Saint Anthony, pray for her.
For Father Dan, for healing and strength for him. Saint John Vianney, and Saint Francis, pray for him.
For Christina, who is beginning her hunt for a teaching job as she prepares to graduate from college. Saints Luke and Catherine of Bologna, patrons of artists, and Saint Gregory the Great, patron of teachers, pray for her.
For my great-aunt Anna, recovering from knee surgery. Saint Luke, pray for her. Saint Roch, patron of knee problems, pray for her. Saint Anthony, pray for her.
For Sue, SFO, who is recovering from elbow surgery. Saint Luke, patron of surgeons, pray for her and her medical team.
In thanksgiving for Natalie's kidney transplant, with prayers for the family of the donor, and for her continued good health. Saint Luke, pray for her. Saint Anthony, pray for her.
For my uncle, who is pastor of a church he is trying to revitalize, but which may be closed down in the future--and for all in churches that may become victims of diocesan "consolidations." Saint John Vianney, pray for him.
For all the members of my SFO fraternity and the intentions they hold in their hearts. Saints Francis, Clare and Anthony, pray for them.
For J, whom I know only through her blog, and her very special intention. May God give her strength, courage, perseverance and faith in her time of difficulty. Saint Anne, pray for her. Saint Edward the Confessor, pray for her.
For my friends at Family Corner and their intentions.

Menu Plan Monday, December 18

MONDAY: Pork Teriyaki, Brown Rice, Broccoli

TUESDAY: Chicken Parmesan, Pasta, Garlic Bread

WEDNESDAY: Tandoori Chicken, Jasmine Rice, Green Beans

THURSDAY: Spaghetti and meatballs

FRIDAY: It's our cookie baking day, so we'll have pizza for dinner!

SATURDAY: Chicken Piccata (never got to it last week and the kids are pestering me for it....)

SUNDAY: Christmas Eve Polish Wigilia dinner with my husband's family. All the homemade pierogi you can eat, plus baked ham, mushrooms, bread, and enough desserts to send the whole family into a diabetic coma. I can't wait.

MONDAY: Christmas Dinner. We're hosting my husband's parents. We're serving filet mignon. I haven't figured out the rest of the menu yet.

Visit the home of Menu Plan Monday to see what everyone else is having for dinner this week!

Menu Plan Monday, December 11

MONDAY: Hungarian Pork Paprikas with noodles

TUESDAY: Spaghetti & meatballs (time to make the big batch!)

WEDNESDAY: Sports banquet at Big Brother's school

THURSDAY: Chicken Chili Blanco

FRIDAY: Pizza

SATURDAY: Chicken Piccata

SUNDAY: Sausage, Pepper & Onion sandwiches

Visit the Home of Menu Plan Monday for lots of links to more great ideas!

Hungarian Pork Paprikas

This is my adaptation of a Rachael Ray recipe in her book Comfort Foods.

HUNGARIAN PORK PAPRIKAS

1 lb boneless pork loin, cut into 1-inch cubes
3 TBL flour
1 1/2 TBL Hungarian sweet paprika
1 tsp dried marjoram
1/4 cup olive oil
14-oz can plain diced tomatoes
2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
1 small onion, chopped (about 1/4 cup)
salt & pepper to taste
1/2 cup lowfat sour cream

Combine flour, paprika and marjoram. Coat pork cubes in mixture.
Preheat deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil, then add coated meat cubes and cook 3 minutes per side, shaking pan occasionally.
Add tomatoes, mushrooms and onions to pan. Stir pan with wooden spoon to loosen any drippings. Add sour cream and stir until combined. Season with salt & pepper.
Serve over hot cooked noodles.

Family Favorite Rocky Road

A few years ago I came across this recipe for Rocky Road fudge on a home organization website.

It's a great recipe because even small children can help (by dumping the marshmallows and peanuts into the Very Big Bowl and mixing them up while the rest of the ingredients melt.)

I've modified the recipe a bit to use the microwave instead of stovetop. It makes for easier cleanup too. I am ALL ABOUT easy cleanup, folks. If there's any way to make less of a mess, it's for me.

So here's my version of CEO's Rocky Road:

1 bag mini marshmallows
2 cups dry roasted peanuts
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 bag (12 oz) chocolate chips (semisweet or milk chocolate)
2 tbl butter

1. Get a Very Big Bowl and mix up the marshmallows and peanuts. Let the little ones help with this! If they eat a few, no big deal. The peanuts will always sink to the bottom, but little kids will be happy to stir and stir anyway.

2. Line a 9X13 pan with waxed paper. Do this before the next step because there's no time later!

3. Melt the milk, chips and butter in a microwavable bowl. I put it on for 45 seconds, take it out to stir, and put it back for increments of 30 until it's smooth.

4. As soon as the chocolate mixture is smooth, pour it into the mix of peanuts and marshmallows and stir until everything is coated. Press into the lined pan. Chill until set. Remove from pan and cut into cubes.

This is a must-give to Little Brother's Godfather and Big Brother's Bus Driver. They've received it in the past, and really, really like it.

One time I made it with M&Ms instead of peanuts. Little Brother's Godmother really, really likes that variation!

The original recipe says you can keep this at room temp but I find that it gets pretty messy that way. I prefer to refrigerate the Rocky Road.

Menu Plan Monday, December 4

Organizing junkie, who usually hosts Menu Plan Monday, is on vacation this week.

I am not. People are demanding meals on a regular basis here. And I like cooking, though if by some miracle someone else did the cleaning up, I wouldn't complain!

Here's what's on the menu this week:

MONDAY: Roast Pork with Caramelized Onions, Roasted Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes, Portuguese Easter Bread

TUESDAY: Grandpa's Dark Meat Chicken over pasta

WEDNESDAY: Beef Stroganoff

THURSDAY: Hawaiian Chicken with Pineapple, Brown Rice, Broccoli (this one got skipped last week)

FRIDAY: Baked whiting (side dishes to be named later)

SATURDAY: Turkey Dinner from the Freezer (turkey and stuffing frozen after Thanksgiving) with mashed potatoes and green beans

SUNDAY: Beef and Cheese Enchiladas

Roast Pork with Caramelized Onions

2-lb boneless pork roast
1 Vidalia onion (the hugest you can get)
2 tbl olive oil
2 tbl sugar

Put pork into your roaster and start cooking at 325.
Use a heavy skillet to caramelize the onions. Add olive oil, onion and sugar. Stir to coat. Let cook about 1/2 hour, stirring OCCASIONALLY. Yes, it takes a while, but it is SO worth it.
When the onions are done, top the pork with the onions and continue cooking the pork until it's done.

Saucy Baked Chicken with Mushrooms

The kids call this "Grandpa's Dark Meat Chicken." The original recipe calls for boneless, skinless chicken thighs. I've modified Grandpa's recipe so I can use cooked chicken or turkey.

2 cups cubed cooked chicken or turkey
8 oz fresh mushrooms, halved
1 large onion cut in thin wedges
1 can diced tomatoes (14 oz)
1 can tomato paste (6 oz)
OPTIONAL: chunks of bell peppers

Cook mushrooms & onions (and peppers, if using) in skillet in a little olive oil.
Stir in tomatoes, tomato paste, water & spices.
Spoon vegetable sauce over chicken.
Bake uncovered 40 min. at 375.
Serve over pasta, with crusty bread.