What's for dinner

So just one week left at home with my pickle.  It seems like yesterday we brought him home.  I am very grateful that I was able to have the time I did I know that a lot of people do not have that privilege.  We had a last minute "issue" with our daycare so we did a quick scramble and were able to find something else.   So this week will be all about getting ready and prepped to return to the real world.   I hope to get some things in the freezer this week but we will see.  Needless to say Sunday prep is more important than ever.   Here is what I'm thinking for this week....

Sunday
Roasted Chicken Noodle Soup, salad, bread

Monday
Salisbury Steak, veggies, mashed potatoes

Tuesday
Leftover soup, salad bread

Wednesday
Leftover Salisbury Steak

Thursday

I never made this last week so lets try again this week
Chicken w/ 40 cloves of garlic, veggie, rice


Friday
Take out or go out

Saturday
Left over chicken, veggie, rice

Bon Appétit 

Recipe Recap

So I believe I owe you an update of how things worked out last week so here goes......

The tater tot casserole?  Well it rocked!   I'm adding it to my list of white trash foods that are great comfort foods....

It made a lot though - plenty for two dinners and a couple of lunches.  I pretty much followed the recipe exactly and can't really think of anything I would change in the future.

Spaghetti.....

This is what I do when time is limited....

  

Start by cooking 1 lb of chicken italian sausage (I like this better than pork for many reasons and if you live in Portland New Seasons Market makes a great one)

After the sausage is cooked remove from the pan and add one rough chopped onion. 

Saute the onion until soft

If you are going to add mushrooms add them at this point and cook them until soft

Pour in one small jar of pre-made pasta sauce (I use Trader's Joes but any will do)

Add sliced olives

Add a can of stewed tomatoes

Sprinkle in a little sugar

Add a splash of wine

Add some italian herbs - dry or fresh (remember is you use dry to rub them in your hands first)

Let the whole thing simmer along for a least a couple of hours.  

Cook some pasta and your set! (remember to salt the water once it boils but don't add oil to the water or the noodles after you drain them - the sauce won't stick) 

Chicken wings......

Just used a basic Lawry's 30 minute Sesame Ginger marinade - a great pantry basic that you should always have on hand

All in all this week was a success and made the week run much more smoothly having a plan!

What's for dinner

Ok so here's what for dinner this week......still owe you updates from last week I haven't forgotten

Saturday
Cheeseburger Soup, Salad
I thought this sounded fun and would be fun to try

Sunday
Always wanted to make this....
Chicken w/ 40 cloves of garlic


Monday
Left over  Cheeseburger Soup

Tuesday
Left over Chicken, veggie


Wednesday
Mexican night and I found a new recipe so it will have a twist
Oven Taco - will be sure to have plenty of tomatoes, lettuce and avocado's to put on top!


Thursday
Baked Chicken breast, roasted veggie, brown rice/quinoa
I love to cook bone in chicken breast with just some olive oil and S&P drizzled on it.  And hopefully there is some leftover chicken for a chicken salad sandwich for lunch later this week



Friday
Go out or take out....its a Friday thing for us


And now I'm off to make my list for the store!

Bon Appetit

Stew

Last week I made a departure from the plan and threw together a stew one day.

G will eat this but I forget he is never truly thrilled with eating it twice in one week.  No worries as I divided the leftovers into small containers and put them in the freezer for lunches.

No picture - sorry I forgot....you will just have to take my word it was tasty!


Beef Barley Stew

2 cups beef broth
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup dry vermouth
1/2 cup water
1 onion rough cut
3 carrots finely chopped
1 can diced tomatoes
1/2 cup barley (I would maybe add a cup next time)
1 lb beef stew cut up in smallish pieces

Throw everything in the crockpot and cook on low for 6 hours.   Yes you could brown the meat first but lets be honest here part of the joy of slow cooking is only having one pan dirty.   Also, who has the time for browning.  

Served with a salad and some rolls fresh from the oven!

Bon Appétit 

What's for dinner

Friday I had to work (I'm still basically on leave but I have a small project I'm working on that thankfully will be done by Tuesday) so I couldn't plan that day.  And yesterday just got away from me. To be honest I've been tweeking and retweeking this for a while but I'm going to the store after the Seahawks beat the Falcons (well that's the hope at least) and so I have to get serious about things.  So here goes......

Friday - dinner out!  Went for Mexican down the street

Saturday- Tater Tot casserole and Salad
Don't judge I'd had a hard day and hadn't made it to the store and well I could give a lot of excuses but bottom line is it was good and exactly what I needed.   Bonus - there are leftovers.  And honestly it was this or fast food take out and I somehow think this was a little bit better.
Recipe here

Sunday - Homemade Spaghetti, Salad, Bread
Will be sure to share my recipe later

Monday - Leftover Tater Tot repeat

Tuesday - Leftover Spaghetti repeat

Wednesday - Chicken wings, roasted veggies

Thursday - Taco's

Disclaimer:  All meals subject to change based on my mood and how well J cooperates with me being able to do things.

Bon Appétit

Recipe Recap

So far this week we've had two hits and one miss and to honest I'm cool with that.  Not every recipe is going to be a winner and I'm just happy to be out there trying some new things.  Also, this week I remembered why I hate to cook with pork.  Hate that's a strong word maybe just that cooking with pork is not relaxing.....

The Hits!

This is the pork chops in "shake and bake", delicata squash and smashed potatoes.  

This is the deconstructed enchilada recipe found here

Heads up seven up because I changed the recipe after I did the post for the week.  I decided I liked this one better.  I still might make the other one some day but I was glad I made this.  

It was a HUGE hit and it made a lot.  Enough for two dinners and then some lunches for later for the freezer.

I pretty much followed the recipe but  next time I will put the olives inside.  I didn't think about them until I had it all in the casserole.   Also I used canned corn (rinsed and drained) instead of frozen because that's what I had on hand.  A little garnish of tomatoes and you are good to go!

The Miss!

This was not a hit but to be fair I did stray a little from the recipe.   I used turkey tenderloins instead of chicken and I didn't have Bisquick but I had Belgium waffle mix so I used that.   Mistakes on both ends.   The turkey has a different texture and the mix made them almost sweet (G thought I was baking brownies).   The roasted broccoli and homemade ranch dressing made up for it a little though.   Great thing was that you could cook the chicken and the broccoli on the same big cookie sheet/jelly roll pan.   Less mess!  One tip I liked that I would take and maybe try again is to spray the chicken on both sides with cooking spray.  I great way to help them brown without adding extra fat.

Also, some randomness for this week.  This is a picture of my lunch one day.   Its leftover delicate, pork, corn, and a little feta.   It was tasty and didn't make me feel yucky later on.   We've all had those lunches where you make bad choices and then you don't feel so great (think I did that today).

Bon Appétit