So, it is a really busy week getting ready for Thanksgiving while both DH and I attend important conferences in ATL this week. This makes planning meals ahead of time with the time constraints in mind that much more important. I am attempting to plan (and stick to the plan) for every meal until Thanksgiving
Sunday:
Asian Flank Skewers
Monday:
Crock Pot Turkey Three Bean Chili
Tuesday:
Arroz con Pollo
Wednesday:
Out for birthday dinner!
Thursday:
Friday:
Dinner plans out
Saturday:
Daddy's Spaghetti
Sunday:
Rigatoni with Creamy Sausage Sauce
Monday:
Satay Chicken
Tuesday:
Lemon Garlic Chicken
Wednesday:
Leftovers and/or sandwiches
Thursday:
Thanksgiving!
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Hallo-week
It is Halloween (well almost) and we just got back from a big racing weekend. (See my other blog runsandtrills.blogspot.com for more info on that). At any rate, we had a couple of busy days after getting back from the racing weekend in which we had no time to go to the grocery store AND still had to figure out dinner. Actually, I HIGHLY recommend people intentionally don't go to the grocery store when they think they need to at least once a quarter or so because you can get really creative about what to make for dinner and clean out your fridge/pantry at the same time. You would be surprised at how much food you actually have even when you don't think you have "anything."
Anyway, after our annual Halloween festivities with friends (she makes the most delicious Tortilla soup every year before the kids go out and trick or treat!) we actually will have no food to eat besides crackers and flour. So here is the shopping menu for the next few days in no particular order.
Asian Flank Steak Skewers with Rice and Broccoli
Butternut Squash Soup with toasted pecans served with crunchy french bread and salad.
Crock Pot Turkey White Bean Pumpkin Chili and Corn Bread
Skinny Chicken Enchiladas
On Saturday, I will probably go to the store again, but this is to get me through the weekend!
Anyway, after our annual Halloween festivities with friends (she makes the most delicious Tortilla soup every year before the kids go out and trick or treat!) we actually will have no food to eat besides crackers and flour. So here is the shopping menu for the next few days in no particular order.
Asian Flank Steak Skewers with Rice and Broccoli
Butternut Squash Soup with toasted pecans served with crunchy french bread and salad.
Crock Pot Turkey White Bean Pumpkin Chili and Corn Bread
Skinny Chicken Enchiladas
On Saturday, I will probably go to the store again, but this is to get me through the weekend!
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Shopping in my pantry
I have too much stuff in my pantry. I try to avoid this situation by making a weekly menu, basing a shopping list on that menu and then STICKING to the list and menu. I did a great job last week of sticking to the list, but not so much of sticking to the menu. Life intervenes.
For example, I still have Chevre in my fridge for which I planned to make Chevre Bisque with Lobster Garnish. I didn't make it last week so I am making it tomorrow (except I will not be using Lobster since that is not in my fridge - probably shrimp since that IS in my fridge/freezer). I did not ever get around to prepping the Black Bean burgers so haven't made those yet but I DID purchase Veggie Burgers so we did eat some of those and used the Whole Wheat Buns I got. Whew -
I DID make the Chicken Enchiladas and they were great as expected and I did make the Chicken Pot Pie Soup which was also really good. AND I made a really tasty Kale and Potato Soup with Turkey Sausage. I just happened to have those ingredients on hand except I didn't have Kale so I used some frozen spinach instead. It was delicious.
So.... since we won't be eating at home this weekend, I am going to attempt to make dinner from what is already on hand. Wish me luck.
Saturday: (today)
Chicken Tikka Masala with rice and steamed vegetables
Sunday:
Leftover Soups (Kale and Potato Soup with Turkey Sausage and Chicken Pot Pie Soup)
Monday:
Veggie Burgers and Sweet Potato Fries
Tuesday:
Chevre Bisque with Lobster Garnish
Wednesday:
Church
Thursday:
Beef Stew with potatoes and carrots cooked in crock pot.
For example, I still have Chevre in my fridge for which I planned to make Chevre Bisque with Lobster Garnish. I didn't make it last week so I am making it tomorrow (except I will not be using Lobster since that is not in my fridge - probably shrimp since that IS in my fridge/freezer). I did not ever get around to prepping the Black Bean burgers so haven't made those yet but I DID purchase Veggie Burgers so we did eat some of those and used the Whole Wheat Buns I got. Whew -
I DID make the Chicken Enchiladas and they were great as expected and I did make the Chicken Pot Pie Soup which was also really good. AND I made a really tasty Kale and Potato Soup with Turkey Sausage. I just happened to have those ingredients on hand except I didn't have Kale so I used some frozen spinach instead. It was delicious.
So.... since we won't be eating at home this weekend, I am going to attempt to make dinner from what is already on hand. Wish me luck.
Saturday: (today)
Chicken Tikka Masala with rice and steamed vegetables
Sunday:
Leftover Soups (Kale and Potato Soup with Turkey Sausage and Chicken Pot Pie Soup)
Monday:
Veggie Burgers and Sweet Potato Fries
Tuesday:
Chevre Bisque with Lobster Garnish
Wednesday:
Church
Thursday:
Beef Stew with potatoes and carrots cooked in crock pot.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Soup's on
I am digging soups lately. Sadly, I never really seem to get around to MAKING soup. I have found at least two that I can get my head around though.
Sunday
Skinny Chicken Enchiladas
Monday
Chili in the Crock Pot
Tuesday
Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Wednesday
Church
Thursday
Black bean burgers
Friday
Chevre Bisque with Lobster Garnish
Sunday
Skinny Chicken Enchiladas
Monday
Chili in the Crock Pot
Tuesday
Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Wednesday
Church
Thursday
Black bean burgers
Friday
Chevre Bisque with Lobster Garnish
Saturday, September 29, 2012
I need some veggie love
For some reason, I seem to have been avoiding vegetables this week. Well, no more! This week is going to be about getting back in the groove with my veggie love.
Meatless Monday
Black Bean Burgers w/ Avocado
Salad with lots of Veggies
I simply LOVE this recipe. we have had this several times over the last few weeks and each time it is really delicious.
Tuesday
Baby Spinach Salad with Honey Roasted Butternut Squash
Baked Chicken
As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, this salad is absolutely delicious but just needs a little bit more to make it a full meal. (at least for our family) I think a simply chicken breast will do the trick.
Thursday:
Carrot Ginger Soup
Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
I love carrots and the baby carrots in this recipe will make the soup that much sweeter. Can't wait to try this for the first time.
Friday:
Crock Pot Beer Chicken
Roasted Cauliflower
Brown Rice
I have been meaning to make this for a week now. Luckily, the chicken is frozen, so I still can. Something about getting the crock pot set up the night before is apparently beyond me.
Meatless Monday
Black Bean Burgers w/ Avocado
Salad with lots of Veggies
I simply LOVE this recipe. we have had this several times over the last few weeks and each time it is really delicious.
Tuesday
Baby Spinach Salad with Honey Roasted Butternut Squash
Baked Chicken
As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, this salad is absolutely delicious but just needs a little bit more to make it a full meal. (at least for our family) I think a simply chicken breast will do the trick.
Thursday:
Carrot Ginger Soup
Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
I love carrots and the baby carrots in this recipe will make the soup that much sweeter. Can't wait to try this for the first time.
Friday:
Crock Pot Beer Chicken
Roasted Cauliflower
Brown Rice
I have been meaning to make this for a week now. Luckily, the chicken is frozen, so I still can. Something about getting the crock pot set up the night before is apparently beyond me.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Long term planning
This week I am planning 2 weeks' worth of menus just because it is a super busy time. Also - how does it feel to have 2 weeks' worth of planning done at once, right?
So last night we finally had the Spinach Salad with Honey Roasted Butternut Squash and it was delicious! HIGHLY recommend this recipe. We didn't have any pumpkin seeds so used walnuts instead. I am sure that changed the nutrition information, but it didn't adversely affect the taste at all. It was truly delicious. One recommendation - I would suggest serving this with some grilled chicken or something else. It wasn't quite enough on its own for a whole meal as I had thought. Even serving with some yummy artisan bread would probably be enough. Just needed a little bit more.
So here is the plan for the next couple of weeks:
Sunday:
Cheesey "Masagna" This is a recipe that Paul came up with while we were at the beach. Basically it is as few ingredients as you can buy while away from home as possible. And the girls LOVED it. My youngest pronounced the word wrong, so now, in order to distinguish it from regular lasagna we call it "Masagna." Today I will also put 20 ozs of chicken in the crock pot for it to cook and be available for the Chicken Enchiladas and the broccoli casserole later this week. I will also prepare the Black Bean Burger patties and put them in the freezer so they are ready to go. (You have to make those ahead.)
Monday:
Chicken Enchiladas
Always love making this dish because it tastes so good the next day too!
Tuesday:
Black Bean Burgers
Baked Sweet Potato Fries
Since the majority of the prep for these burgers comes on a different day. (You have to make the patties and then freeze them.) I am hoping to have these Tuesday but may change it up in case the avocado I bought isn't ripe enough. I think it will be though.
Wednesday:
Church
Thursday:
Chicken and Broccoli Noodle Casserole
Friday:
Pasta with marinara sauce and turkey sausage. Hopefully this will be in preparation for a long run on Saturday morning - assuming my ankle agrees.
Saturday:
Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Paul makes the BEST tomato soup EVAR and we all love grilled cheese. Though I will probably make generic grilled cheese for the girls, I think I might try to do a Gruyere and green apple on sour dough for the grown ups. We have an electric griddle on which we normally make pancakes and it works really well for the grilled cheese too.
Sunday:
Upside down dinner
This is one of our favorite traditions and I remember it from Sunday nights when I was a kid. This is when we have breakfast for dinner. Pancakes, Eggs, Bacon, fruit. It is the best!
Monday:
Asian Flank Steak Skewers
Edamame Fried Rice (with lots of extra veggies)
Tuesday:
Crock Pot Turkey White Bean Pumpkin Chili
I think I might serve this with something apple-y like this.
Wednesday:
Church
Thursday:
Crock Pot Beer Chicken
Friday:
Pulled BBQ Pork Sandwiches (made in Crock Pot)
Baked Sweet Potato Fries
Sadly, I cannot post any recipe here since this will be made with Paul's granddaddy's sercret BBQ sauce recipe. Usually it is used on grilled chicken to GREAT effect. I think it will also be tasty good on the pulled pork. It is sort of a cross between the SC mid-lands' mustard based sauce and the SC low-country vinegar based sauces. I like it a LOT.
(Uh-oh, this means I am going to have to wash my crock pot right away on Thursday.)
That's as far as I have gotten. Here's hoping all goes as planned!
So last night we finally had the Spinach Salad with Honey Roasted Butternut Squash and it was delicious! HIGHLY recommend this recipe. We didn't have any pumpkin seeds so used walnuts instead. I am sure that changed the nutrition information, but it didn't adversely affect the taste at all. It was truly delicious. One recommendation - I would suggest serving this with some grilled chicken or something else. It wasn't quite enough on its own for a whole meal as I had thought. Even serving with some yummy artisan bread would probably be enough. Just needed a little bit more.
So here is the plan for the next couple of weeks:
Sunday:
Cheesey "Masagna" This is a recipe that Paul came up with while we were at the beach. Basically it is as few ingredients as you can buy while away from home as possible. And the girls LOVED it. My youngest pronounced the word wrong, so now, in order to distinguish it from regular lasagna we call it "Masagna." Today I will also put 20 ozs of chicken in the crock pot for it to cook and be available for the Chicken Enchiladas and the broccoli casserole later this week. I will also prepare the Black Bean Burger patties and put them in the freezer so they are ready to go. (You have to make those ahead.)
Monday:
Chicken Enchiladas
Always love making this dish because it tastes so good the next day too!
Tuesday:
Black Bean Burgers
Baked Sweet Potato Fries
Since the majority of the prep for these burgers comes on a different day. (You have to make the patties and then freeze them.) I am hoping to have these Tuesday but may change it up in case the avocado I bought isn't ripe enough. I think it will be though.
Wednesday:
Church
Thursday:
Chicken and Broccoli Noodle Casserole
Friday:
Pasta with marinara sauce and turkey sausage. Hopefully this will be in preparation for a long run on Saturday morning - assuming my ankle agrees.
Saturday:
Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Paul makes the BEST tomato soup EVAR and we all love grilled cheese. Though I will probably make generic grilled cheese for the girls, I think I might try to do a Gruyere and green apple on sour dough for the grown ups. We have an electric griddle on which we normally make pancakes and it works really well for the grilled cheese too.
Sunday:
Upside down dinner
This is one of our favorite traditions and I remember it from Sunday nights when I was a kid. This is when we have breakfast for dinner. Pancakes, Eggs, Bacon, fruit. It is the best!
Monday:
Asian Flank Steak Skewers
Edamame Fried Rice (with lots of extra veggies)
Tuesday:
Crock Pot Turkey White Bean Pumpkin Chili
I think I might serve this with something apple-y like this.
Wednesday:
Church
Thursday:
Crock Pot Beer Chicken
Friday:
Pulled BBQ Pork Sandwiches (made in Crock Pot)
Baked Sweet Potato Fries
Sadly, I cannot post any recipe here since this will be made with Paul's granddaddy's sercret BBQ sauce recipe. Usually it is used on grilled chicken to GREAT effect. I think it will also be tasty good on the pulled pork. It is sort of a cross between the SC mid-lands' mustard based sauce and the SC low-country vinegar based sauces. I like it a LOT.
(Uh-oh, this means I am going to have to wash my crock pot right away on Thursday.)
That's as far as I have gotten. Here's hoping all goes as planned!
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Do-over!
I didn't do such a great job last week with staying on my menu plan. Life intervenes, you know? So this week, I am back to my plans and will use some of the meal ideas from last week. I have also gotten away from eating whole fruits and veggies which I will make an effort to remedy this week as well. One thing that foiled my plans this week was some REALLY disappointing peaches. They looked so beautiful - I was totally fooled. Alas. However, I did get some really lovely apples!
Sunday:
Sunday is normally a day to get things ready for the week but this week, Sunday is probably our busiest day. Between a birthday party, long bike ride and going to see a colleague in a show we are barely here today.
Vegetable and Turkey Meatloaf
Monday:
Thai Coconut Shrimp Curry with jasmine rice and a side of mandarin oranges.
Tuesday:
Sausage and Broccoli Casserole with a side salad.
Wednesday:
Normally, we sort of fend for ourselves on Wednesday night because of a busy evening schedule at church, but I think this might be a nice alternative. I can roast the squash ahead and time and DH and I can have something nutritious and portable. So, instead of Pasta with Butternut Squash and Sage which we were supposed to have last week (and didn't) I think I am going with this:
Baby Spinach Salad with Honey Roasted Butternut Squash, Pumpkin Seeds, Gorgonzola and Dried Cherries
We got some sheep's milk cheese at Patak's last week and need to use the rest. It is creamy and fresh tasting. I think it will be a perfect compliment to the flavors above. Plus I can use my butternut squash.
Thursday:
Crock Pot Beer Chicken
Crock Pot and Beer in the same sentence. Yes, please. I don't know what I will serve it with. Probably some mixed frozen vegetables.
Friday:
We will be having pasta of some sort today. DH is contemplating a century ride in Cartersville, GA the next day and even if he doesn't do the century, I am slated to run 14-15 miles on my training schedule the next morning. A little carbs never hurt anyone in this position. We started using Ronzoni Smart Taste pasta when we were dealing with some "digestive issues" with our youngest child. It is basically regular pasta but it has a higher fiber content. This is helpful with a child who loves pasta but is also nice for a "Watcher of Weight" because the points are a little lower.
Sunday:
Sunday is normally a day to get things ready for the week but this week, Sunday is probably our busiest day. Between a birthday party, long bike ride and going to see a colleague in a show we are barely here today.
Vegetable and Turkey Meatloaf
Monday:
Thai Coconut Shrimp Curry with jasmine rice and a side of mandarin oranges.
Tuesday:
Sausage and Broccoli Casserole with a side salad.
Wednesday:
Normally, we sort of fend for ourselves on Wednesday night because of a busy evening schedule at church, but I think this might be a nice alternative. I can roast the squash ahead and time and DH and I can have something nutritious and portable. So, instead of Pasta with Butternut Squash and Sage which we were supposed to have last week (and didn't) I think I am going with this:
Baby Spinach Salad with Honey Roasted Butternut Squash, Pumpkin Seeds, Gorgonzola and Dried Cherries
We got some sheep's milk cheese at Patak's last week and need to use the rest. It is creamy and fresh tasting. I think it will be a perfect compliment to the flavors above. Plus I can use my butternut squash.
Thursday:
Crock Pot Beer Chicken
Crock Pot and Beer in the same sentence. Yes, please. I don't know what I will serve it with. Probably some mixed frozen vegetables.
Friday:
We will be having pasta of some sort today. DH is contemplating a century ride in Cartersville, GA the next day and even if he doesn't do the century, I am slated to run 14-15 miles on my training schedule the next morning. A little carbs never hurt anyone in this position. We started using Ronzoni Smart Taste pasta when we were dealing with some "digestive issues" with our youngest child. It is basically regular pasta but it has a higher fiber content. This is helpful with a child who loves pasta but is also nice for a "Watcher of Weight" because the points are a little lower.
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