Menu of the Week: January 7

[Csara]

It's a new year and I plan on making an effort to get back into my weekly meal planning. I really notice a difference in the way we eat and spend money on food when I don't meal plan. This week, I am doing a very simple and kid-friendly menu. Here goes:

<strong>Monday:</strong> Chicken Nuggets ..... but not just any. These are from Jessica Seinfeld's book <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/weddingtalker9-20/detail/0061251348/104-0231038-0655121" target="_blank">Deceptively Delicious</a> and they really <em>are</em> delicious. Here's the <a href="http://www.oprah.com/foodhome/food/recipes/200710/food_20071008_nuggets.jhtml" target="_blank">recipe</a>. I make them with pureed broccoli. I will serve a salad on the side for my husband and I, and some cut up cucumbers, tomatoes and olives for my son.

<strong>Tuesday:</strong> Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup

<strong>Wednesday: </strong>Beef Stew (also from Seinfeld's book, although it will be the first time I'm trying it so I can't comment yet)

<strong>Thursday:</strong> Grilled Chicken, Black Beans and Rice, Caesar Salad

<strong>Friday: </strong>Spinach Pizza, Wedge Salad

What's on the menu in your house this week?

[Deana]

here's what's cookin' at my house. Starting next week, I plan on making at least 2 meatless/vegetarian meals per week. I am also going to serve fruit after every dinner, since we seem to be a bit lax in eating fruit at our house.

Mon: bourbon marinated pork tenderloin, rice pilaf, bread (I forgot to cook the veggies - bad me!! but we had fresh pineapple and cantelope for desert)

tues: slow cooker chicken in wine sauce over penne pasta, green beans

wed: lemon turkey cutlets, orzo, asparagus

thurs: swedish meatballs over kluski noodles, steamed broccoli

fri: toasted ravioli, grilled turkey sausage

[heather6773]

here's what's cookin' at my house. Starting next week, I plan on making at least 2 meatless/vegetarian meals per week. I am also going to serve fruit after every dinner, since we seem to be a bit lax in eating fruit at our house.

Mon: bourbon marinated pork tenderloin, rice pilaf, bread (I forgot to cook the veggies - bad me!! but we had fresh pineapple and cantelope for desert)

tues: slow cooker chicken in wine sauce over penne pasta, green beans

wed: lemon turkey cutlets, orzo, asparagus

thurs: swedish meatballs over kluski noodles, steamed broccoli

fri: toasted ravioli, grilled turkey sausage


omg Deanna those meals look amazing!!! Can you tell me were to find the recipes? Especially the bourban chicken and the slow cooker chicken THANKS!!!



Also how do you choose what to put on the menu? I would love to meal plan but am at a loss as how to begin.


Csara~ How are the things in that book? Taste pretty good?

[Csara]

Csara~ How are the things in that book? Taste pretty good?

They are pretty good for the most part. I have made about 4-5 things and they were all good, but not to my son. It seems like he can tell there are hidden veggies in there. LOL! DH and I like the recipes though.

[Deana]

omg Deanna those meals look amazing!!! Can you tell me were to find the recipes? Especially the bourban chicken and the slow cooker chicken THANKS!!!



Also how do you choose what to put on the menu? I would love to meal plan but am at a loss as how to begin.

Hey Heather,

For the bourbon marinade:
we used a pork tenderloin and used (everything is approximate!)
1/2 cup bourbon (we used Jack Daniels... is that even bourbon???)
several drops of wosteschire
1 tbs brown sugar
1 teaspoon garlic from the jar in the fridge
salt and pepper (a shake here and there)

dh mixed everything together in a zip lock bag, put the pork tender in and marinated overnight. I cooked at 425 for 30 minutes. It was SOOO good!!

The slow cooker chicken is from Sandra Lee's Semi-Homade cookbook.
Here's the rec:
Chicken With White Wine Sauce:

24 pearl onions (I used a small onion, diced)
8 oz sliced mushrooms
4 strips thick sliced bacon (I didn't use)
4 pounds meaty chicken pieces (I used about 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken)
1 can cream of chick soup
1 cup dry white wine
2 tsp italian seasoning
2 tsp bottled minced garlic
==========================
add onions and sliced mishrooms to a 4-5 quart slow cooker

in a large skillet, fry bacon until crisy Reserve bacon for garnish. Discard all but 2 TBS of bacon fat. Season cut up chicken pieces with salt and pepper .. Over medium heat, brown the chicken pieces on all sides in the bacon fat. (again, I didn't use bacon, I just used some salt and pep on the chick breasts and browned them in some olive oil). Place browned chicken into the slow cooker on top of the onions a and mushrooms.

in a bowl, stir together the soup, wine, italian seasoning,and garlic. pour over chicken. Cover and cook on low for 8 hrs or high for 4 hrs.

**I sort of broke up the chicken pieces into chunks and served over penne pasta with some parm on top. REally good!!

[heather6773]

Thanks Deana those both sound so good. I will give them a try.