Menu for Week of 5/29/10

I had a short menu this week with the holiday and a meal or two we received from others.

BLT sandwiches, chips and dip, carrot sticks, watermelon

Steak Sandwiches, oven fries, watermelon, corn

This recipe is inspired by a sandwich my mom saw on Barefoot Contessa. Click here for the original recipe. The sauce is what makes these sandwiches.

To make the sauce:

• 1/4 pound blue d'Auvergne or other creamy blue cheese (we use feta cheese)
• 2/3 cup sour cream
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

To assemble:

Place grilled steak, thinly sliced on toasted hoagie rolls. Spread generous amount of sauce on top hoagie roll. Top steak with sauted onions and green leaf lettuce.

Menu for Week of 5/22/10

Okay, after about a 4-week adjustment period with a newborn in the house I think I am ready to start cooking again. Thank you again to all of the friends and family that provided meals for us over the last few weeks. We could not have done it without you!

Spinach Salad with Chicken and Strawberries, garlic cheese bread

Feta cheese and strawberries were on sale this week so I created a salad around those 2 yummy things. Spinach leaves, chicken, strawberries, red onion, avocado, feta cheese; all mixed with a raspberry walnut vinaigrette I had on hand.

Steak Gyros, oven fries

This is one of our favorite summer meals. I will use up the rest of the feta cheese with these. Some one brought us baked potatoes earlier in the week and I am using the leftovers to make oven fries.

Hot Dogs, chips, veggies

As I have mentioned before I like mine "healthy" (I realize this is ironic for hotdogs). I top mine with mustard, lettuce, tomato, dill pickle, onion, and cheddar cheese. Somehow I feel better about eating a hot dog if there is vegetables on top.

Beef Burritos, cheese dip and chips

One of my all time favorite foods is cheese dip and I like to fit it into meals whenever I can. I have discovered a yummy white cheese dip that I can't get enough of. Check out El Terrifico Tamale Co. White Cheese Dip in the dairy section by the sour cream.

Spaghetti, garlic bread, salad

Poppyseed Chicken, rice, cooked carrots

I realize this is more of a winter meal, but it is so good and simple.

Asian Pork Loin, brown rice, brussel sprouts

This is a great recipe from my sister Laura

Menu for Week of 4/25/10

For starters, let me apologize for getting this out a few days late. Last week Josh and I became foster parents. We have a newborn baby girl and she is precious. Lack of sleep and adjusting to life with 2 kids has cut into my blogging time and cooking time for that matter. The menu for this week is simple for sure. It may take me a couple weeks to get back into the swing of things. Stay tuned.

Greek (Tuna) Salad, toasted pita bread

Make the dressing from scratch, it is so good!

Butter pita bread, sprinkle with Cavender's seasoning and toast.

Tacos

Chicken and artichoke pizza

This recipe comes from my cousin Carolyn. She is a much more creative cook than myself and she gave me several yummy pizza ideas.

Chicken and artichoke pizza

Boboli pizza crust or flat bread

red sauce (I used leftover spaghetti sauce)

1 chicken breast, sliced thin and sauted with italian seasoning

artichoke hearts, chopped

goat cheese, crumbled

red bell pepper, chopped

red onion, chopped (I just had this on hand so I added it)

shredded mozzarella cheese (sprinkle lightly on top)

Layer ingredients on pizza crust and bake in 450 degree oven about 10 minutes.

Chicken and Broccoli casserole, rice, cooked carrots

Menu for Week of 4/19/10

Spinach Enchiladas, chips and salsa, salad

We never made this a couple weeks ago so we will have it tonight.

Pancakes, sausage, eggs, fruit

This is a quick and easy meal since we will be on the go after dinner.

Spaghetti and Meatballs, garlic bread, steamed broccoli

We have spaghetti a lot, but meatballs take it to a whole new level. They are simple to make and freeze well. This is a good meal to bring to someone since it makes so much. The sauce can even be frozen and you can simply bring a bag of uncooked spaghetti noodles.

Baked ham, baked sweet potatoes, green beans

Roasted Tomato and Steak Salad

I will not be posting a menu this week since I will be out of town. Here is the salad we had last night for dinner. This is one of our favorite meals and it was extra-delicious to eat out on the back patio. Here is the recipe.

Menu for Week of 4/5/10

Jack opening resurrection eggs on Easter morning and egg hunt at grandma and grandpa's house.

This week was a little different. With Easter weekend, I cooked less meals for my family, but I prepared some out-of-the ordinary things for family gatherings and such so my grocery bill is higher than usual. Therefore, I tried to find multiple uses for the ingredients I did buy.

Chef Salad, deviled eggs

We have an abundance of hard-boiled eggs from Easter so I will make deviled eggs and have egg on the salad. Josh loves this meal! This time I will make the salad with lettuce, celery, carrot, cucumber, tomato, ham, egg, and peanuts.

BBQ Chicken Pizza, salad

I am using leftover chicken from the whole roast chicken I made last week. This is SO GOOD!

Note: I don't add the chili sauce called for in the recipe.

Chicken and black bean Quesadillas, guacamole, pico de gallo, chips

I have some leftover tortillas in the freezer along with a couple chicken breasts. Since I needed cilantro for the BBQ pizza I decided to make my favorite guacamole and pico de gallo.

Spinach Enchiladas, salad

I have spinach in the freezer and ricotta cheese leftover from a pasta dish I made a few weeks ago. I used green onions in a potato dish I made for Easter dinner so I will use the remainder in the enchiladas.

Menu for Week of 3/26/10

Buffalo Chicken Wing Salad

Just a big 'ole salad with carrots, celery, red onion, and cheddar cheese on top. Serve it up with some buffalo chicken wings and ranch dressing. Simple Friday night supper. I bought the chicken wings at Sam's Club, just heat in the oven and serve.

Tuna Noodle Casserole

This is a classic that my mom used to make. I don't have an exact recipe, but here is how I do it.

Tuna Noodle Casserole

half a bag of egg noodles, cooked

1 can cream of mushroom soup

milk

frozen peas

1-2 cans tuna, drained

Velveeta cheese, sliced

2 pieces buttered toast, cut into 1/2 in. squares

Mix the cooked noodles with the soup, tuna, peas, and milk. Use enough milk to make it a little saucy, you don't want the casserole to dry out as it bakes. Put in a greased 11 x 7 in. glass baking dish. Top with sliced Velveeta cheese and toast squares. Cook at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until bubbly.

Pork Fried Rice

I have two leftover fried pork chops from the other night. I "googled" suggestions on what to do with them and the top vote was make fried rice. This is a simple weekend meal that everyone likes.

Fried Rice

Make rice ahead of time and refrigerate. For some reason it works best with cold rice.

Scramble 1-2 eggs (depending on how much rice you are making) in a hot skillet. The woman who taught me to make this said you want to cook the life out of them, just keep scrambling. Then add chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook until onion is translucent. Add chopped carrots and stirfry 1-2 minutes. Stir in frozen peas and cook another minute. Add the rice, meat, and soy sauce to taste. Stir and cook until combined. This works great with a variety of frozen or fresh vegetables. I am just using what I have on hand.

Leftover Tuna Noodle Casserole, salad

Roast Chicken, oven roasted potatoes and gravy, cooked carrots

I bought a whole fryer when it was on sale a couple weeks ago and put it in the freezer. Roasting a whole chicken is very simple and makes and impressive meal. It is also very economical. I will have leftover chicken that I can shred and use next week for another meal.

Roasted Chicken

Moms and More Cookbook

1 whole 3 lb. chicken fryer

Mix and rub on outside:

1 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

1.4 tsp. thyme

1.4 tsp. marjorum

1/4 tsp. celery salt

Salt the cavity also. cover with foil or glass cover. Put in a cold oven at 400 degrees for 1 1/2 hours.