Menu Plan Monday

I have got to get out of this funk I've been in.
Meals, grocery shopping and eating have been less than steller arround here, so here goes, let's see how this works:

Monday: King Ranch Chicken
Tuesday: Crock Pot Meat Loaf
Wednesday: Taco Pie
Thursday: Teryiaki Chicken
Friday: Pizza
Saturday: Hot dogs and Burgers on the grill (I work so ths is up to the boys)
Sunday: Ham and potatoes

I also plan to make snacky stuff:
Peanut butter lover's dip for apples and bananas
blueberry muffins

More Menu's over here.

Crock Pot Meatloaf

Ingredients:
1/2 cup whole milk
2 slices of bread
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
2 eggs (farm fresh from a friend are best!)
1 small onion peeled
1-1/2 teas salt
1/2 teas pepper
1 teas dry mustard
12 oz whole tomatoes

Instructions:
Place milk and bread in large mixing bowl, let stand until bread has absorbed all the milk.
With 2 forks break the bread into crumbs.
Beat the ground beef into the crumbs until well mixed.
Make a hollow in the center of the meat and break the eggs into it.
Beat the eggs a little, then grate the onion into the egg.
Add salt, pepper and mustard.
Beat the eggs into the beef.
Shape into a round cake and place in the slow cooker.
Drain tomatoes and place them on the meat.
Cover and cook on low for 5 to 7 hours.
Before serving, uncover the pot turn the heat to high and bubble away some of the sauce.
It should be thick, not thin.

Let me know if you make it and how it turns out!!

Make Your Own Hard Shell

Like magic shell for your ice cream?
Here's an instructable on how to make your own!
Enjoy!

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Tonight I am using a jared alfredo sauce but the next time I want to make my own.
So far I'll make this one.

Do you have an alfredo recipe for me???
please say yes

Pickles

Bread and butter pickles in the pot.

Dill pickles in the jar.

Learning. having fun. Making a mess.

A Big Spread

Here's who ate dinner at my house 2 weeks ago.
18 teenagers and 6 adults.
Steve and I cooked spaghetti and garlic bread.
The students had traveled from house to house eating salad, appetizers, dinner then last house: dessert!!
As I was prepping for the meal I thought about Jesus and his travels.
I thought about how he hung out with 12 other guys, a group mainly made up of teenagers, and a couple of women.
I thought about those women, preparing a table for 13 plus.
I thought about the fun in moving from place to place with a large group of people, the friendships, the laughs, the inside jokes. How amazing was it to be one of Jesus' original disciples; how amazing it is to be one today.

What a great night!!

Today I Made pickles!!

Today I started to make pickles using my own cucumbers!!
Now I have to wait 3-4 days before trying them. I have had a note on my kitchen cabinet for quite some time; the note said:

"look into pickling"

Since my cucumber plants have really started producing I figured I'd better get to pickle investigating. Thankfully the Lord loves that I procrastinate so He made sure I watched the Martha Stewart show last week where they...
dun, dun-na-nahhh...
pickles!!

Enjoy these photos, recipe link at end of photos.
(All photos are taken with my LG Zenon, camera phone- oh to have a real camera)

Introducing... Journey of the Cucumber





Soaked cucs in ice water, gathered my ingredients.

Soaked cucs in pickling mixture, placed a small plate on the top to keep them under water; sealed the whole thing with saran wrap.
Recipe link is here, I will post pictures when pickles are ready to eat!!

Monster Cookies

Making these for an upcoming youth event with my small group!
Each cookie calls for 1 cup of batter!!
Yummy!

Strawberry Pie

Attempting a strawberry pie.

Thought I was gonna make this a few weeks back but when I got to the grocery all the strawberries were sold out! Just got to buying some last night so wish me luck.




Here's the recipe I'm gonna make:

Ingredients
2 (8 inch) pie shells, baked
2 1/2 quarts fresh strawberries
1 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup boiling water
1 (3 ounce) package strawberry flavored gelatin

Directions
1. In a saucepan, mix together the sugar and corn starch; make sure to blend corn starch in completely. Add boiling water, and cook over medium heat until mixture thickens. Remove from heat. Add gelatin mix, and stir until smooth. Let mixture cool to room temperature.
2. Place strawberries in baked pie shells; position berries with points facing up. Pour cooled gel mixture over strawberries.
3. Refrigerate until set. Serve with whipped cream, if desired.

Monday's menu

day 1: General Tso's Chicken
day 2: tacos
day 3: pizza
day 4: beef stroganoff
day 5: steaks on the grill
day 6: chicken on the grill
day 7: yoyo

also making a strawberry pie!

Monday's Menu/Meal Plan Monday- Whatever

I can only go so long with this whole menu thing before I am ready to pop!
Ugh.
I just can't seem to love or even like cooking for more than a few weeks.
But...
I have 3 hungry mouths to feed,
and...
it is my responsibility to feed them,
so...
I press on.
Cooking, and cooking even when I want to eat a bowl of cereal and call it a day!

Haven't even given this weeks menu a thought.
I will and probably won't post it here but if I do, you'll know it!
Happy eats this week!

Valentine's Day

We had fun making chocolate this year.
Peanut butter cuts with pink and dark chocolate. yummy.

Monday's Menu

Sunday: Lasagna
Monday: Parmesan Tilapia
Tuesday: Teryaki pork on grill
Wednesday: make your own pizza
Thursday: Parmesan covered salmon
Friday: Beef stroganoff
Saturday: leftovers

Product Review: Silicon Muffin Liners

I had my eye on these silicone muffins liners for quite some time. For a cost of $10 for a set of 12 I wasn't sure if I should take the plunge or not. Well about a month before Christmas I splurged and bought some, boy am I thrilled with them!

We make a lot of Blueberry Muffins and recently I discovered a very sugary Pecan Pie Muffin recipe. After baking I remove them off the baking sheet, use a knife to separate the muffins from the liner, flip on their side and pop the muffin out. No liner to throw away- just wash and reuse. If you make a lot of muffins or have been debating the switch I highly recommend it!

Pecan or Almond Coated Chicken

from the kitchen of my Pastor's wife Karen.
Very yummy, we all enjoyed it!!

1 c. pecans or almonds (I used pecans)
2 slices whole wheat or other healthy grain bread
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1 tsp. garlic salt
4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breast cutlets, washed and patted dry
2 eggs beaten
1-2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

In food processor or small chopper combine pecans/almonds, bread, Parmesan cheese and garlic salt. Mix until it is a fine mixture, the finer the better. Pour onto plate.

Dip chicken in egg and then roll in nut/bread mixture.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Heat a skillet over med-high heat before adding olive oil, once skillet is hot add olive oil and let it get hot. (if this is not done the chicken coating will stick to pan)

Carefully place coated chicken into hot oil and brown on both sides, turning gently so breading does not come off. Place browned chicken on a cookie sheet lined with foil.

Bake 12-15 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked, depending on thickness of cutlets.

Serve as an entree or slice and serve on spinach for a salad.
This is a really yummy meal and the leftovers are good even cold!

Meal Plan Monday

For more menu ideas go to Organizing Junkie.

Monday: Broiled Tilapia Parmesan, broccoli, rice
Tuesday: beef stew
Wednesday: Crockpot Angel Chicken
Thursday: Corn Flake Pork Chops
Friday: Pizza
Saturday: Grill Night, teriyaki style steaks
Sunday: in-laws in town

breakfast: cereal, mandarine oranges, pancakes, oatmeal
lunch: broccoli, salad, grilled cheese, mac-n-cheese
snacks: grapes, blueberry muffins, chips

Chicken Cacciatore

about 30 minutes prep and cook time.

1 package frozen fat-free breaded chicken breast patties, partially thawed
1 medium green bell pepper
4 ounces mushrooms, sliced (about 1 cup)
1 small onion, chopped (about 3/4 cup)
8 ounces uncooked linguine, or thin spaghetti
2 cans (14 1/2 ounces each) Italian-style diced tomatoes, undrained
1 garlic clove, pressed
Parmesan cheese

1. to partially thaw chicken patties follow package microwave heating instructions except microwave on high for 1 minute. Cut patties into 3/4 inch strips

2. chop onion, mushrooms and bell pepper

3. cook linguine, keep warm

4. in a medium skillet over med-high heat lightly spray with olive oil and add chicken patty strips; cook 5 minutes, turning frequently

5. add tomatoes, bell pepper, mushrooms, onion, garlic. Bring to a boil; cover. Reduce heat simmer 8-10 minutes or until veggies are tender.

6. Serve over hot linguine and sprinkle with Parm cheese.

Yummy.

Meal Plan Monday

OK so last week went well, even without my meals all planned out. I cooked a little, we ate leftovers and worked on eating food in the pantry, sometimes it's nice to eat the pantry and freezer empty.

My garden is producing broccoli so we are eating lots of it!!

Now this week:

day 1: Sweet and Sour Meatballs with fresh broccoli and rice
day 2: Pecan-Coated Chicken, carrots and spinach*
day 3: Pork Chops Steve Style with french fries and corn
day4: Taco bake- lots of kids will be here and this meal feeds a ton!
day 5: Broiled Tilapia Parmesan, brown rice and ??*
day 6: pizza- take-out! most likely Pizza Hut large any topping $10
day 7: leftovers


b-fast: blueberry muffins, oatmeal, cereal, mandarin oranges
lunch: leftovers, grilled cheese, salad with croutons/chicken and ranch dressing
snacks: pepperoni and crackers, homemade beef jerky, granola bars, pecan pie muffins

*new meals for us this week!

Organizing junkie has more Meal Plan Monday!

Happy Eats!

Meal Plan Monday

Ugh. I do not feel like eating or cooking this week.
But I will.
I am just not posting it here cause I don't know what I'll throw together and after a weekend with 17 teenagers my brain is not working properly.

May you eat well and smile.

Spicy Beef Stir-Fry

1/4 cup light soy sauce
1 Tablespoon cornstarch
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
1 boneless beef tip sirloin steak (1 1/4 pounds), trimmed
3 cups broccoli flowerets
1 medium onion
1 med red bell pepper
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1 teaspoon peeled fresh ginger root, finely chopped (I use a dash or three of ginger when i don't have root)
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 cup beef broth


Cooking instructions:
Whisk together soy sauce, cornstarch, 1 tablespoon oil.


Cut steak into 1/4 inch strips. Add to beef to soy sauce, cover and let sit 15 minutes.


Cut broccoli into flowerets and onion into thin wedges, bell pepper into strips set vegetables aside. Press garlic and chop ginger root.


Heat oil in skillet over med-high heat and cook half of the beef, 1 garlic clove and half of the ginger and red pepper flakes.

Stir-fry 1-2 minutes until outside of beef is no longer pink (do not overcook)

Remove from skillet and keep warm.


Cook the remaining beef the same way. Remove from skillet and combine with other beef, keep warm.


Heat 1 teaspoon oil in skillet and cook veggies 3-4 minutes or until they are crisp-tender. Return beef to stir-fry, add broth and bring to a boil. Boil 1 min, stirring gently, until sauce is thickened.

Parmesan Baked Fish

A recipe from my friend Sharon.

4 (4 oz) fish fillets (cod, salmon or orange roughy are good)
1/3 c. mayonnaise
2 Tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
2 Tablespoons snipped fresh chives or sliced green onions
1/2 teaspoon white wine Worcestershire sauce

-Rinse fish and pat dry with paper towels, place in a 10x6 baking dish coated with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
-In a small bowl combine mayonnaise, parmesan cheese, chives or green onions and Worcestershire sauce.
-Spread mixture over fish fillets.
-Bake uncovered at 450 degrees for 12-15minutes or until fish flakes easily with fork.
Serves 4.

I served with some garlic noodles and broccoli. Very yummy.
I used salmon- on sale- and mixed one part white wine and 1 part regular Worcestershire sauce to substitute for the white wine Worcestershire sauce.
I can't wait to eat this again.

Very tasty a hit with 3 of the 4 of us!

Meal Plan Monday

Meal Plan Monday hosted over here.

day 1: Parmesan Baked Fish
day 2: Touch of Chicken from this Cooking With Pat post
day 3: Spicy Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry served over hot cooked rice
day 4: Chicken Divine with rice
day 5: Pizza
day 6: Turkey burgers
day 7: Yoyo Night

breakfast: cereal, mandarine oranges, pancakes
lunch: chicken on a green salad, tuna, leftovers, mac-n-cheese
snacks: pecan pie muffins, blueberry muffins, Doritos, grapes, crakers and cheese

2 Recipe Links

So I have stepped back from the computer lately but now, I am back, at least here in the kitchen.
I have been faithful in my weekly meal planning and am trying to eat healthier. I'm not a big fan of cooking but I am learning to enjoy it, especially when I have all the right tools.

This weeks menu consisted of a new meal that was a big hit- not healthy.
And the comeback of a very yummy salmon recipe from a neat Lewis and Clark Cookbook I have.

First...
the Yummy, Not So Healthly, But Oh So Yummy
Taco Pie

and

Grilled Maple-Glazed Salmon

Grilled Maple-Glazed Salmon

Upon arriving at the Columbus River, Lewis and Clark relished the abundant salmon after years of venison, bear, and other game. In some places at certain seasons the salmon were reputed to be running so densely they could be walked upon, or so it has been reported.

1/4 cup maple syrup, use the real deal and I like to buy Maple grove Farms from Vermont, USA
2 Tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons melted butter
1 (2-pound) salmon fillet, skinned and small bones removed (or a salmon steak)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

In a bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, Dijon mustard, brown sugar and melted butter. Season salmon fillet with salt and pepper.

*Prepare hot charcoal fire. Spread half of the maple syrup mixture on top of the salmon and let stand at room temp for 30 minutes. Transfer the salmon to the grill and cook until fish just flakes. Brush salon with the remaining maple syrup glaze during cooking.

*I have cooked this on the grill using a piece of tin foil to contain the juices, and half also cooked in the oven at 350. Either way i cook it until the salmon flakes.

Yummy and a great breakfast, reheated!!
One of my favorites!

Taco Pie

from my friend Susan

2- (14oz) boxes Kraft Deluxe Mac-n-Cheese Dinner
2lbs ground beef (or turkey to make it healthier)
2 pkgs. taco seasoning mix
1 1/2 c. water
1 1/2 c (12oz) sour cream
3 c. (12oz) shredded cheddar cheese, divided (could use any cheese so try your fav)
2 c. salsa- I used a pineapple flavor, yummy!

Prepare mac-n-cheese.
In large skillet brown hamburg; drain off grease.
Add taco seasoning and water; simmer 5 min.
Stir sour cream into prepared mac-n-cheese.
Spoon half of mac-n-cheese into bottom of a 13x9 baking dish.
Top with all of meat mixture.
Layer with 2 c. cheese.
Cover and bake 400 degrees.
*Remove from oven and top with salsa and remaining cheese. Bake, uncovered 5 min or until cheese is melted. Serves 8. Recipe is easily cut in half.

* I did not do this step because not everyone likes salsa around here we topped it individually- yummy

I made this last night for Steve and I, the boys, and 2 girls; yes I said girls-long story.