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I really badly want to try some new delicious recipes this week.

As I looked through my stockpile of recipes that await - I notice that my freezer is FULL.  I can't justify shopping for more stuff - besides there is no room.

I seriously have enough to cook this week without having to step foot in the grocery store.  I have decided to initiate Work With What You've Got week.

Here goes...

 

I'm determined to stay on track and make it through this week (without anything new and exciting). 

Take the challenge and Work With What You've Got ~ you'd be surprised how much you can come up with!

  

Portion Control

[ pre-dressing ]

The other day I mentioned my inability to a prepare appropriate sized meals.  I tend to over-cook.  Often times it's premeditated for...  'intentional leftovers'

Certain foods that work well here - pastas, chicken, soups...  all good the next day (sometimes even better).

Certain foods that DO NOT work well here - sandwiches, french fries, salads.  There lies my problem.  My salad for lunch today could easily serve 8 people.  It was like a mountain. So I shared- passing out Ziploc containers to friends at school pickup.  I prefaced the delivery like this...

... 'I hope you don't think I'm a weirdo passing out free food like you're needy or something.  You don't have to eat it and you won't hurt my feelings if you don't.  I just had lots.  Like lots.'

 

[ dressed ]

Thankfully it was yummy - it was this recipe

(My only change was to add a bit of shredded carrot and sesame seeds.  Any excuse to use sesame seeds!)

  

Monday's Menu & Meatloaf

*to print & post on fridge

Links: Tuesday Thursday Weekend    

 

So ~ So glad that I'm staying on top of this!  I will confess that we skipped last Friday's enchilada casserole.  On the way to Luke's practice that day he asks...

'I like your cooking Mom but are we ever going to eat in a restaurant again?'

 

When we got in the car to go home we surprised him with Japanese Teppan.  I figure if we're gonna eat out, let's go somewhere that's not like home.  It's sad but true... my performance does not come close,  there are no onion steam trains or pyrotechnic shows at home.  So boring I know.

 

Last week~ I did make my TURKEY meatloaf

It's a healthier version and I like lots of stuff in mine - here's the recipe with pics if you would like to give it a try...

 

 

Few tips: 

• Get turkey out of the fridge 20 minutes before you mix it (if you plan on using your hands- brrrr).
• Add sauteed onions and garlic - way better flavor (in olive oil with a pinch of seasoning).
• You can substite or add what ever veggies you want just don't use potato or anything else that will dry out your meatloaf.
• You can double this- prepare in 2 pans.  Pop one in the oven and pop one in the freezer.  Next week - defrost for 1 day in fridge and then bake it for dinner as directed. 

(on with the photos)

 

COMBINE

 

ADD SAUCES & SEASONING

 

MIX & PAN

 

PAINT

 (BAKE)

Wasn't that easy ~

While it's cooking you will need to whip up some real mashed potatoes and a veggie or salad to go with.  Remove from oven and let it rest for at least 5 minutes.

 

Serve on your finishest china, just like I do. 

Don't forget the ketchup, it's real good with more ketchup on top.

Enjoy~

  

Monday's Menu

Links:  Tuesday and Thursday

I've learned a few things about how I cook, what my family eats and what works best for each day of the week.  For example:

• It's best to have ready-prepared or crockpot dishes on Wed/Thurs/Fri since we are running around late with football practice.
• I cook way.too.much portionwise which = lots of leftovers (hence a leftover night during the week is now necessary.  I never made the lemon chicken last week due to the leftovers so it shall carry over. 
• 1 dinner is served to all, I am not a short order cook.  However, I know my little ones and maybe even the big little one will cringe at all the 'salad' items in that Asian Noodle recipe.  Therefore, I will be a short-order cook that night just so I can have that salad.  
• Next week I will take special requests.  Each family member will get to choose 1 night of the week for their favorite meal... who knows... they might even help that night. 
• I now print my weekly menu card to post on the fridge.  Keep us all in the know, it also helps with the constant... 'what's for dinner??' 

  

A week of meals - with links

& here are the links: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Friday

 

I also plan on making a few other things over the weekend ~ and this yummy little something for breakfast.  (psst - I really L-O-V-E all of Gina's recipes.  They are simple, healthy, delicious and look beautiful ~ you'll thank me.)

Is this post heavy on the links or what!?

What's one more... 

This site is pure 'eye-candy' and I love it.  I probably won't make any of this stuff but she makes me want to try! 

Just check out her cupcakes ~

 

{ See what I mean?!  Seriously... too cute to eat!!! }

   

Frittata Muffins

Luke woke up starving...

'Mom, can you pleeaaassse make breakfast?  Like now?  Oh, Good morning.'

(in that order)

'Can I have a sip of coffee?  And maybe open my eyes first?'. 

I know he doesn't want cereal.  I peeked in the fridge as I grabbed the 1/2 and 1/2.  I pulled out a few end and odds from the week ~

• 4 Golden Yukon potatoes (from Shephard's Pie)
• 1/2 C. of Chopped spinach (from Lasagna)
• 1/3 C. Skim ricotta (from Lasagna)
• 1/4 C. Diced onion
• 12 Turkey sausage links (cut bite-size)
• 1/2 C. Shredded cheese
• 1/4 C. low-fat milk
• 6 eggs
• TJ's 21-Season Salute, Paprika, S&P

1. Pre-heat oven to 375. 
2. Quarter the potatoes and boil til fork tender. 
3. While potatoes cook - saute the onion, spinach and seasonings. 
4. Add the sausage and ricotta - warm through and set filling mix aside.
5. Line or grease a muffin tin.
6. Add about 1/3 of the way with sliced boiled potates.
7. Stir the cheese into filling mix (set a little bit aside to use on top).
8. Fill cups to top with the mix.
9. In seperate bowl - whisk together eggs and milk.
10. Pour egg mix evenly into each cup and top with left over cheese.
11. Bake for 10-12 minutes.

{ Serve with a dollop of sour cream, salsa & a slice of cantalope }

After making the 12 muffins there was enough potato and filling mix to make some more.  I whisked together 6 more eggs and milk.  

This time I baked it in a tin... same order as above:

 
 
(This cooks about 20+ min, just keep an eye on it.)

   

Quick Dinner

I appreciate all those fabulous blogs like this one with recipe ideas.  Because I'm not one to read cookbooks. I like pictures and feedback~

'I substituted onion for the bell peppers cause that's all we had.  I will also only add half of the salt next time and a use low-sodium soy sauce.'   - feedback like that.

So, I thought I would share this quick and easy meal.

For Moms that have 2 minutes in the morning...

1. Add frozen chicken to crockpot  (I put in 12 tenders)
2. Sprinkle with S&P
3. Add frozen veggies (I used 1/2 bag of TJ Veg Medley)
4. Cover with 1.5 cups of Piccata sauce (3/4 of the jar) 
5. Cook on high for 5hrs (or 8hrs on low)

  

  

I served this over penne.

While the pasta was cooking... I removed the lid off the crockpot, sprinkled a bit of mozarella and let it simmer and the sauce thicken. 

*I had originally planned to serve this over rice but it just seemed like more of a pasta dish to me.

Enjoy~

   

Empty office, Full freezer

 

Simplify - Plan - Organize

 

Today I cleaned out the office (including the files). 

We filed an entire green trash bag with old shredded paperwork, like utility bills from Feb '07.  It took me a while to sort thru and preserve all the kids drawings and little notes from my babies. 

I'm working on a pile for a garage sale - it's growing.  Feels good to move that old stuff.

Finally, in my efforts to de-stress I've decided it's time to start a menu plan.  Dinner time rolls around before you know it and most of the time, I'm sadly unprepared.  I contemplate what's in the fridge as we drive home from football practice at 7:30pm.  I whip something up, nothing special.  We eat by 8:15 if we're lucky.  I'm not proud of that.  (tell me I'm not the only one...)

So I've made my shopping lists for each meal and saved them on the computer.  I think after a month of so it will be faster and easier to pick 5 or 6 dinner meals from those saved.  In fact on Saturday I spent 2-3 hours and prepared everything for this week.  The Shephard's Pie, Taco Soup and Lasagna are ready to heat and eat.  I have all the crockpot items and will throw them in that morning, easy peasy.

Hopefully I can keep this up.  Do you have any yummy recipes that freeze/heat up or make easy dinners?  I'm looking for yummy crockpot recipes especially...  my starving children thank you.

  * * * * *

I made whole chicken this week in the crockpot- delish.  It was so tender and shredded up easily.  It was enough to enjoy 3 different ways:  

• Night 1: DINNER- served over tropical rice.
• Day 2: LUNCH- mix in dried cranberries and candied pecans for chicken salad sandwiches.
• Day 3: SNACK- sandwich filling & cornbread mix = after school muffins. 

*Jiffy Cornbread mix prepared with cream, egg and cheese. 

*Dollop 1Tbsp of mix, then 1Tbsp of Chix and then top with 1 more Tbsp of mix & bake.

*Tasty surprise in the middle - Serve warm with butter.

   

It's that easy...

• Box of Jumbo shells (cooked)
• 1 jar of your favorite pasta sauce
• Filling (see below)

    For the filling:

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella
• 14oz of skim ricotta
• 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan
• 1 box of frozen chopped spinach (thawed/drained)
• 2 cups of cooked chicken breast (diced small)
• 1 tsp nutmeg, S&P
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup of milk

Directions:

1. Get the noodles cooking (per box directions) drain and rinse.
2. Warm oven to 350*
3. Prepare the filling.  If you have yourself a little helper, they can mix while you gather and pour it all in the bowl.  They may say things like 'I don't like spinach'.  You can tell them that they do and it's good for them.  Then they may tell you 'I know where spinach comes from.  It's grass'.  Just keep mixing.
4. Layer 1 cup of sauce on the bottom of a 9x11 pan.  
5. Once noodles are rinsed and cool enough to handle, spoon in lots of filling.
6. Once the pan is full, spoon sauce on top of each shell. 
7. Sprinkle with a bit more mozzarella and parmesan if you wish. 
8. Cover with foil and bake for 30-40 minutes. 
9. Enjoy!

(This is an overflow pan - ready for the oven)

(All cooked 40 min. later = today's lunch)

 

I don't make things like this every night.  Every once in a while I try something different.  It makes the process of 'DINNER' more fun and I actually look forward to it.

This was pretty easy.  It took about 15 minutes to get ready and then it just bakes.  I already had cooked chicken from the night before so we used that.  You could substitute whatever you have on hand or even leave the meat out.  

I think it was delicious. 

We (as in, mostly me) just about finished the whole pan!

Bon Appetite my friends!

 

Where are the April showers?

 

There was no relief today. 

It's still blazing.  I refuse to turn on my AC in April, during the day anyway.  Sydney wanted to bake today.  I tried to explain how this is more of a fruit day.

'look Mom at the seeds coming out',  as I cut into a crispy Gala apple.

'what kind of seeds are they?'

'Pumpkin'. 

(I never said she was a genius) 

 

She wouldn't give up on the idea of baking muffins.  She went so far as to rip into the box and cut open the bag of mix.  As is turns out there is a recipe on the box to make the muffin mix as a loaf, in one pan, little effort.  A loaf it is.

We mixed it all up and divided it for 2 small pans.  She cried and wanted to make muffins which resemble cupcakes which makes them awesome. 

I finally convinced her they would be 'Wild Blueberry Muffin-Cakes' and we could even top them with a cinnamon crumb topping.  A compromise was reached - which may have included a complimentary spoon full of topping for her to devour.

 

After homework was done and an entire Wild Blueberry Muffin-Cake with cinnamon topping was consumed they begged to play outside. 

'Are you children insane?'

'Nooooo Moooooom we wanna play outside!!!!'  (is there a punctuation mark that indicates the sound of whiney and annoying?)

They may be onto something given that the inside (after baking) is probably hotter than the backyard.  

'Fine, (I cave) but only in the backyard'.

'Yay (with pumping fists) and can we turn on the hose?'.

'Knock yourself out'.

4.21.09   ~  at 5:13pm  ~  Currently 91*