Our life and stuff

The other day...

 

She wanted to paint all morning

There was a snack break - we had leftover Minestrone soup.

(which was fantastic by the way)

 

... her attention to detail = loving that eyeshadow. 

 

* * * * * * * * * *

 

The other day she was sitting on my lap - looking at me and listening as I talked about whatever.  Suddenly she started smiling, very pleased about something...

Curious about her change in demeanor I ask what made her so happy?  

"I could see me in your eyeballs."

 

* * * * * * * * * * 

 

I rarely ever buy these fried onion pieces even though they are awesome.  

That's because I'm not crazy about green bean casserole.

Who ever said they belong to green beans anyway?

This week I noticed I had them in the cupboard & they were FABULOUS on shepherd's pie.

I'll be throwing them on meatloaf too.  YUM  

   

Monday's Menu 12.7.09

  Links:  Wednesday  Weekend

 

It is in the forecast to rain for 3 days later this week/weekend...  I can't wait! 

2 yummy links above:  The first being a new SOUP recipe.  It sounds delicious and will be welcome on a rainy cold afternoon.  The second are those muffins.  I've made them a few times and they are awesome.  They are so tasty and the perfect little treat to use those brown bananas.

 

Monday's Menu 11.16.09

  

Links:  Tuesday   Wednesday   Weekend

 

* Everybody will be happy on Monday.  I add a can of pinto beans to 1 lb. of taco seasoned ground beef.  My kids eat them up and there is enough left over for after-school snacks the next day.

* On Tuesday, I will be very happy.  This salad is one of my all-time favorites and the dressing is seriously out-of this-world.  (I can already hear the request for grilled cheese from my non-salad eater)   

* Wednesday we are going to re-work this crockpot recipe.  The flavors were delicious but I think I'd prefer to bake this... we'll see how it turns out.

* Since football is over- on Thursday we will wrap things up at the team party.

* Finally on Friday I will get the night off.  I will serve left-overs or we will use our Islands gift-card.

 
  

I typically post one recipe to try over the weekend... 

I have stew meat left over from last weeks Beef & Barley.  I found that BEEF STEW recipe of Paula Dean's and I happen to have all the ingredients.  Besides, it sounds like the perfect recipe to simmer away on a lazy Saturday afternoon. 

  

Menu 11.9.09

Links:  Tuesday  Wednesday  Friday

 

I've had this annoying cold for a few days now. 

I must make soup

I will probably make a chicken soup as well to eat for lunch this week (or even breakfast - I could eat soup for any meal).

My challenge last week to WWWYG went very well.  And yes, I still lit candles while we dinned on heat-and-serve taquitos from Costco  { we're classy like that}.   I happen to have some TJ Potstickers and Carnitas that I will carry over to this week with a few new things.

My crockpot will get the week off as I prefer my soups simmered on the stovetop. 

mmmm soup

    

WWWYG

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 finest 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.)