Monday, October 24, 2011

Menu For Week Of Oct 24th

So.... yesterday was the first day of no hubby. I made lists of what to do this week, planned a menu and even went to the dreaded grocery store! I "lost" the kids at Meijer's. Aren't you proud?! Yup, couldn't find them. They went to look at the video games and toys while I shopped. How could you resist a deal like that? I went to go find them when I was done and they were no where to be seen. I gimped around that whole store, couldn't find them. I have gotten to know the lady who was working as a greeter since it seems I am up there daily. I told her "isn't this great? The first day my hubby leaves me alone with them and I lose them!" I did find them though, don't worry. They are safe and sound! Oh, for all inquiring minds, Stinky Pinky is gone! The doctor took it off last week. Now I just have to wear this very attractive shoe for the next 3 weeks since I am not supposed to bend it.

Oh well, onto the menu!

I am planning on sending food down with my husband on the weekends. Not a real problem since I cook like an army is coming to dinner. I also suck at reheating leftovers. How boring are leftovers?! So I will be freezing them and sending them back to Tennessee with him. Saves on groceries or cooking for him. I bought a new cookbook so I am trying out some of the recipes in it this week.

Monday
Chicken and Fall Veggie Casserole
Ceasar Salad

Chicken and Fall Veggie Casserole
3T olive oil
2 leeks, sliced and rinsed
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 large chicken breasts cut into bite size pieces
2 sweet potatoes, chunked
2 parsnips, scrubbed and sliced
1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into strips
1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and cut into strips
9 0z wild mushrooms, sliced
14 oz tomatoes, chopped
4 cups cooked long grain rice
1 small bunch parsley, chopped
1 heaping cup grated cheddar cheese
salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the leeks and garlic and cook til softened. Add the chicken, stirring frequently about 5 minutes. Add the sweet potatoes and parsnips. Cook til golden brown and beginning to soften. Add peppers and mushrooms and cook about 5 minutes more. Add remaining ingredients, except cheese. Spoon into an ovenproof dish. Cover with cheese and cook about 25 minutes. Serve.

Tuesday
Spinach and Ricotta Rollatini
Minestrone Soup

A total vegeterian dinner! I found this and it looked soooo good I knew it would be on the menu soon! Look for the tutorial for this later in the week.

Wednesday
Burgers on the Grill
Cream of Potato With Bacon Soup

The days are getting colder here in the North so I am taking advantage of the mild weather to use the grill. I am also doing a "fall cleaning" on the kitchen so not cooking in it is a plus! I am trying out this soup for the first time. You can find the recipe here.

Thursday
Roast Pork
Rosemary Potatoes
Green Bean Casserole

Roast Pork
2 lb pork loin
3T olive oil
salt

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Pat loin dry and put into a roasting pan. Brush the loin with 1T of oil and rub with salt. Roast in the oven for 20 minutes. Lower temp to 400 degrees and cook for an additional 40 minutes or until pork is done. Remove from oven and let rest for 20 minutes before slicing.

Rosemary Potatoes
2 lbs small yellow potatoes
4T olive oil
1 bunch rosemary, chopped

Peel and dice the potatoes. Heat the oil in another roasting pan. When hot add the potatoes and rosemary, toss to coat and cook for 40 minutes in the same oven as the pork. Remove from the pan and serve with the pork.

Friday
Margherita Pizza

Yes, it's pizza night! I love Fridays for this reason. You can find the recipe for this pizza here. I am using the canned pizza dough and precooking it for this meal though. You can also add cooked, shredded chicken to this if you like.

Saturday
Baked Chicken
Boxed Potatoes
Roast Fall Veggies

Baked Chicken
8 chicken drumsticks
1/2 cup mayo
6T yellow mustard
Zest of 1 lemon
1-1/2 cups Italian breadcrumbs

Put chicken in a large sealable bag. In a small bowl, mix mayo, mustard and zest. Add to bag and toss to coat. Let marinade overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Put breadcrumbs in a shallow bowl. Remove chicken from bag and shake off excess marinade. Dredge in breadcrumbs and transfer to a 9x13 baking dish. Bake 45 minutes or until golden brown. Serve.

Sunday
BBQ Beef Sandwiches
Baked Macaroni

I am using Stone Gable's recipe for the BBQ Beef. It definitely is a family favorite and so easy to make! Thank you Yvonne for posting it! The baked macaroni is also a favorite here. I can eat this stuff til I am stuffed! You can find the recipe for it here.

I also have cooking to do for Bitty One's Preschool Halloween party and school snacks on Friday. I think I will be in the kitchen all week long! These recipes are so easy though. It's been so long since I spent time in the kitchen I am actually looking forward to it. As for now, me and Bitty One are off to the orchard to get some apples for caramel apples later in the week. Maybe even a pie or two?!

What are you having for dinner?



14 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

congrats on getting stinky pinky off!!! gotta feel great!!! i don't do recipes, but caramel apples - now that i could help with!

good luck w/ your first single week!

Pam B said...

You're so organized; I'm impressed! I'm usually thinking about what to cook for dinner around 2:00 the same day! LOL

Lynn said...

Sounds like you'll be eating well all week Maggie! Glad the cast is off, and that you... um... found the kids:@)

~from my front porch in the mountains~ said...

Hey Mags!
Can I come for dinner each night?

How is Hubby doing in Nashville? If you want email me and tell me where about he is at! I love the Nashville
area. Lots of beautiful horses farms around there.
Can you attach your email addy to your comment thingie? I can't email you back when you leave a comment on my blog :(
That makes me sad....
Your cast off? That makes me HAPPY!
Yea, you!
xo, misha

1missmisha@gmail.com

Lori said...

Yeah for the death of stinky pinky ~ you'll be doing the two step again in no time! Love your menu ~ I think I will be over for dinner a couple of nights. Have a good week Maggie. xo

Grammy Goodwill said...

Yummy - when is dinner? I'm so impressed with your menus. I'm not much of a cook, and luckily, my hubby appreciates anything I put in front of him.

Judi said...

Hi there!
Now you are so clever to have the whole menu planned like that and it looks like its going to be a very delicious week over there. Thank you for good suggestions to add to my own menu this week. Your first dinner is one I'm going to try for sure.

Thats nice that you will be able to prepare meals for hubby too.

have a great week.
Judi

Anita at Cedar Hill said...

Sounds like you have a lot of cooking goin' on. I hope things go well, since hubby has moved ahead of the family. I know that is definitely a transistion time for your family.

Beth said...

Maggie, You can cook for me anytime! You are cooking creatively and deliciously. The chicken veggie casserole sounds like a real keeper. Glad your foot is healing. Try not to overdo it!
Hugs, Beth

bj said...

Well, first of all, dear heart..I surely am glad you found the kids. The Hubs might panic if he came back and....no kids in sight. :))

Your menu sounds so so good. I just wish I could do a menu..we start off on one and before I know it, we change in the middle. :)

So glad the cast is off...know you are, too.
xo bj

Designs on 47th Street said...

Hey there! Thank you so much for menu planning for me! ;) What could be better?? You do have some good sounding menus (and recipes) on here! What are we having tonight? Leftovers! I'm not proud!

Sorry about your foot. I will have to read back. Being a foot surgery patient before, I know the gimping around part way too well.

Thanks so much for stopping by and giving me your input on my new room!! :)

Donna

Anonymous said...

You only lost them once! hehehe
Glad stinky pinky is off. Dinner ...
we had turkey chili last night, roast pork tonight, baked chicken tomorrow night ... I feel like I am on the movie set of Ground Hog Day.

Your Friend,
Deborah

Anonymous said...

You only lost them once! hehehe
Glad stinky pinky is off. Dinner ...
we had turkey chili last night, roast pork tonight, baked chicken tomorrow night ... I feel like I am on the movie set of Ground Hog Day.

Your Friend,
Deborah

bj said...

I was glad to hear from you, Maggie. I've noticed it's been awhile since you posted...been busy?
xo bj