Happy Saturday! I missed the weekly menu post last week due to the mixture of our St. Paddy's Day festivities and prepping for The Munchkin's first birthday party. We had a very busy weekend, and I hated skipping a week, but I just didn't get a chance to put together the menu and a blog post. As a result, we didn't eat very well last week, and I definitely felt the effects! So this week, we're getting back on track, and here's the menu:
Sunday: Waffles, Sausage, Fresh Fruit - For the waffles, I'll use my pancake recipe, but I'm probably going to try to replace some of the all-purpose flour with some whole wheat flour so they're healthier for all of us, including The Munchkin.
Monday: Chicken Stir Fry, Brown Rice - Previously, Monday had become unofficial soup night, but it's getting a little warm for that (in March?!). So instead, I'll make up a quick stir fry. It's a perfect quick dinner for a Monday evening.
Tuesday: Taco Pasta, Corn Bread - I don't remember how I came across this recipe, but it sounded like a good addition to the Taco Tuesday rotation, so I saved it for future use. We'll give it a try this week. Also, I'm testing a new recipe for corn bread. I wanted to make something with some extra veg in it for The Munchkin, so I'm starting with the recipe from the Better Homes & Gardens cookbook. I'll let you know how it turns out, and post a recipe if it works out well. Otherwise, I'll keep on testing recipes!
Wednesday: Burgers, Fried Potatoes with Peppers & Onions, Green Beans - It's grilling season! Need I say more?!
Thursday: Stuffed Shells in Alfredo, Broccoli, Focaccia Bread - Another one we didn't get to this last week, and I'm craving another white pizza, so I must make some alfredo this week!
Friday: Grilled Pizza - We made our first grilled pizza last night, and I'm excited to keep doing them. They're so great, and almost like eating a pizza cooked in a brick oven! I'm kind of addicted to pizza with alfredo, prosciutto, marinated artichoke hearts, and fresh mozzarella. Just typing those words makes my mouth water!
Saturday: Jambalaya - We didn't end up having this two weekends ago, so I'm going to make it this week.
Mangia Bene!
3.24.2012
3.10.2012
Garden Update
This weekend is a flurry of gardening activity, especially since I didn't do any gardening last weekend. So, here's a recap:
Last weekend, according to my SmartGardener To Do List, I was supposed to prep the soil for arugula and spinach, but I hadn't yet been visited by the dirt fairy. My dirt showed up yesterday, so I spent today filling the raised beds I constructed in the summer of 2010. (The raised beds never got filled with dirt because I found out I was pregnant a week or two after constructing them, and complete exhaustion set in soon after. And last spring/summer, I was busy tending to a newborn and adjusting to a severe lack of sleep, so gardening wasn't high on my list of priorities!) Anyway, today I mixed the soil with some organic fertilizer and filled the beds...needless to say, my body is killing me, and I'm utterly exhausted! Now they're prepped for arugula and spinach (and all the other good stuff I'm going to plant)!
Tomorrow, I am going to start several seeds (in egg cartons):
- Roma tomatoes
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Serrano peppers
- Jalapeno peppers
- Cayenne peppers
It's also time to sow the spinach and arugula seeds directly in the garden beds.
And in a few weeks, I'll get to transplant my darling little green onions, which are doing quite well in their egg carton!
Can you tell I'm excited about this year's garden?! :) How's your garden coming along?
Last weekend, according to my SmartGardener To Do List, I was supposed to prep the soil for arugula and spinach, but I hadn't yet been visited by the dirt fairy. My dirt showed up yesterday, so I spent today filling the raised beds I constructed in the summer of 2010. (The raised beds never got filled with dirt because I found out I was pregnant a week or two after constructing them, and complete exhaustion set in soon after. And last spring/summer, I was busy tending to a newborn and adjusting to a severe lack of sleep, so gardening wasn't high on my list of priorities!) Anyway, today I mixed the soil with some organic fertilizer and filled the beds...needless to say, my body is killing me, and I'm utterly exhausted! Now they're prepped for arugula and spinach (and all the other good stuff I'm going to plant)!
Tomorrow, I am going to start several seeds (in egg cartons):
- Roma tomatoes
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Serrano peppers
- Jalapeno peppers
- Cayenne peppers
It's also time to sow the spinach and arugula seeds directly in the garden beds.
And in a few weeks, I'll get to transplant my darling little green onions, which are doing quite well in their egg carton!
Can you tell I'm excited about this year's garden?! :) How's your garden coming along?
Menu: Week of 3/11
Happy Saturday! Here's next week's menu:
Sunday: Brioche French Toast, Sausage, Fruit Salad - I'm at it again...craving some eggy, brioche goodness! :)
Monday: Corn & Potato Chowder, Grilled Cheese - Even though this soup is already made and in the freezer, we didn't eat it last week, so we'll try again this week.
Tuesday: Enchiladas, Mexican Rice, Black Beans - A yummy Mexican-inspired meal!
Wednesday: Sloppy Joe, Tater Tots, Peas - This makes a quick and easy mid-week meal.
Thursday: Fettucini Alfredo, Broccoli, Focaccia Bread - Another one we didn't get to this last week, and I'm craving another white pizza, so I must make some alfredo this week!
Friday: Homemade Pizza - The Man requested Little Caesar's this last week, so we're definitely going to have some homemade pizza this week.
Saturday: Jambalaya - Since I started making this, The Man really enjoys it, so I'm going to keep making it.
Mangia Bene!
Sunday: Brioche French Toast, Sausage, Fruit Salad - I'm at it again...craving some eggy, brioche goodness! :)
Monday: Corn & Potato Chowder, Grilled Cheese - Even though this soup is already made and in the freezer, we didn't eat it last week, so we'll try again this week.
Tuesday: Enchiladas, Mexican Rice, Black Beans - A yummy Mexican-inspired meal!
Wednesday: Sloppy Joe, Tater Tots, Peas - This makes a quick and easy mid-week meal.
Thursday: Fettucini Alfredo, Broccoli, Focaccia Bread - Another one we didn't get to this last week, and I'm craving another white pizza, so I must make some alfredo this week!
Friday: Homemade Pizza - The Man requested Little Caesar's this last week, so we're definitely going to have some homemade pizza this week.
Saturday: Jambalaya - Since I started making this, The Man really enjoys it, so I'm going to keep making it.
Mangia Bene!
3.03.2012
Streusel-Filled Coffee Cake
A few months ago, while sorting through a filing cabinet, I found a *very* stained sheet of notebook paper (a true sign of a great recipe, by the way) covered in my mom's gorgeous handwriting.
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Upon further inspection, I realized it was a recipe for the wonderful coffee cake my mom made nearly every week when I was a child. Since I found the recipe, I've been toying with the idea of making it, and today, I finally got around to it. With the first bite, I was instantly transported back to my childhood! It. Was. Delicious! I knew, then and there, that I had to share the recipe with you! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
Streusel Mixture:
2 c brown sugar
8 t cinnamon
8 T butter, melted
Batter:
3 c flour
1 1/2 c sugar
5 t baking powder
1/2 c butter, softened
1 1/2 c milk
2 eggs
Preheat oven to 375. Grease a 9x13" pan and set aside.
In a bowl, combine all ingredients for the streusel mixture and set aside.
In a large bowl, combine all ingredients for the batter. Mix until batter is smooth and well-combined.
Spread half the batter in the prepared pan. Top with half the streusel mixture. Repeat this process, using the remaining batter and streusel mixture.
Bake for 25-30 minutes.
To make muffins, line muffin tin with muffin wrappers. Using a one-ounce cookie scoop, place one scoop of batter in each liner. Top with streusel mixture. Repeat the process once more for each muffin, resulting in 2 scoops of batter for each tin and 2 layers of streusel mixture. Bake for 15 minutes.
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Upon further inspection, I realized it was a recipe for the wonderful coffee cake my mom made nearly every week when I was a child. Since I found the recipe, I've been toying with the idea of making it, and today, I finally got around to it. With the first bite, I was instantly transported back to my childhood! It. Was. Delicious! I knew, then and there, that I had to share the recipe with you! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
Streusel Mixture:
2 c brown sugar
8 t cinnamon
8 T butter, melted
Batter:
3 c flour
1 1/2 c sugar
5 t baking powder
1/2 c butter, softened
1 1/2 c milk
2 eggs
Preheat oven to 375. Grease a 9x13" pan and set aside.
In a bowl, combine all ingredients for the streusel mixture and set aside.
In a large bowl, combine all ingredients for the batter. Mix until batter is smooth and well-combined.
Spread half the batter in the prepared pan. Top with half the streusel mixture. Repeat this process, using the remaining batter and streusel mixture.
Bake for 25-30 minutes.
To make muffins, line muffin tin with muffin wrappers. Using a one-ounce cookie scoop, place one scoop of batter in each liner. Top with streusel mixture. Repeat the process once more for each muffin, resulting in 2 scoops of batter for each tin and 2 layers of streusel mixture. Bake for 15 minutes.
Menu: Week of 3/4
Happy Saturday! Here's next week's menu:
Sunday: Biscuits & Gravy, Scrambled Eggs - Another Sunday evening breakfast. This might become a habit. :)
Monday: Corn & Potato Chowder, Grilled Cheese - The Man will be thrilled about this decision.
Tuesday: Chicken Fajitas, Mexican Rice - This will be a great way to use up some of the flour tortillas I bought on sale a while back.
Wednesday: BBQ Pork Sandwiches, Macaroni & Cheese, Corn - Mmmm...macaroni & cheese!
Thursday: Fettucini Alfredo, Broccoli, Focaccia Bread - Another one The Man will love!
Friday: Homemade Pizza - I think I'll make some extra alfredo sauce so I can have white pizza again :)
Saturday: Tater Tot Casserole - A trusty standby.
Mangia Bene!
Sunday: Biscuits & Gravy, Scrambled Eggs - Another Sunday evening breakfast. This might become a habit. :)
Monday: Corn & Potato Chowder, Grilled Cheese - The Man will be thrilled about this decision.
Tuesday: Chicken Fajitas, Mexican Rice - This will be a great way to use up some of the flour tortillas I bought on sale a while back.
Wednesday: BBQ Pork Sandwiches, Macaroni & Cheese, Corn - Mmmm...macaroni & cheese!
Thursday: Fettucini Alfredo, Broccoli, Focaccia Bread - Another one The Man will love!
Friday: Homemade Pizza - I think I'll make some extra alfredo sauce so I can have white pizza again :)
Saturday: Tater Tot Casserole - A trusty standby.
Mangia Bene!
Chicken Taco Soup
(serves 6-8)
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cooked & shredded (optional)
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
2 cans chicken/vegetable broth
1 can Rotel tomatoes & chiles, in liquid
1 can black beans, drained & rinsed
1 can kidney beans, in liquid
1 can corn, drained
2 tablespoons chili powder
red pepper flakes
salt
pepper
Combine ingredients in a crockpot (add chili powder, red pepper flakes, salt & pepper to taste). Cook on low overnight. Serve with tortilla chips and your favorite Mexican garnishes.
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cooked & shredded (optional)
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
2 cans chicken/vegetable broth
1 can Rotel tomatoes & chiles, in liquid
1 can black beans, drained & rinsed
1 can kidney beans, in liquid
1 can corn, drained
2 tablespoons chili powder
red pepper flakes
salt
pepper
Combine ingredients in a crockpot (add chili powder, red pepper flakes, salt & pepper to taste). Cook on low overnight. Serve with tortilla chips and your favorite Mexican garnishes.
Menu: Week of 2/26
It's that time again...another weekly menu!
Sunday: Pancakes, Bacon, Fruit - I've been reading everywhere about the Kiwanis pancake and sausage breakfast, and it's given me some cravings! Must. Have. Pancakes!
Monday: Chicken Taco Soup - I've got some shredded chicken thighs in the freezer that will be perfect for this recipe! It should work out well in the crockpot, too, so dinner will be ready when I get home from work!
Tuesday: Tacos/Quesadillas, Mexican Rice - A trusty standby meal. I've been wanting a black bean and corn quesadilla for a while now, so I think it's time to make it happen.
Wednesday: Cheeseburgers, Sweet Potato Fries - I'm changing Wednesdays from "Burger Night" to "Between Bread Night" since I just can't bring myself to make burgers every week anymore. Keep your eyes peeled for some different Wednesday night sandwich options.
Thursday: Spaghetti & Meatballs, Green Beans, Homemade Bread - What could be better than spaghetti topped with homemade marinara and homemade meatballs? Well...nothing, unless you add homemade bread and Farmers' Market green beans to the plate!
Friday: Homemade Pizza - I think this week I'll make Chicken Parmesan pizza...sounds good to me!
Saturday: Buffalo Drummies, Twice-Baked Potatoes - A few weeks back, I caught a great sale on chicken drumsticks (the same week I got the thighs), so I bought 5 pounds of them. I brought them home and separated them into two gallon freezer bags. Into one bag, I poured a bottle of Sweet Baby Rays Buffalo Sauce & Marinade (The Man loves this stuff), and some olive oil and seasoning into the other, then I put them in the freezer. I'll just set the bag in the fridge to thaw the night before, then roast the drummies at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. The potatoes can be in there as well. Easy dinner!
Unfortunately, I didn't get around to writing up recipes for last week's menu items because we've all been sick, but check
Mangia Bene!
Sunday: Pancakes, Bacon, Fruit - I've been reading everywhere about the Kiwanis pancake and sausage breakfast, and it's given me some cravings! Must. Have. Pancakes!
Monday: Chicken Taco Soup - I've got some shredded chicken thighs in the freezer that will be perfect for this recipe! It should work out well in the crockpot, too, so dinner will be ready when I get home from work!
Tuesday: Tacos/Quesadillas, Mexican Rice - A trusty standby meal. I've been wanting a black bean and corn quesadilla for a while now, so I think it's time to make it happen.
Wednesday: Cheeseburgers, Sweet Potato Fries - I'm changing Wednesdays from "Burger Night" to "Between Bread Night" since I just can't bring myself to make burgers every week anymore. Keep your eyes peeled for some different Wednesday night sandwich options.
Thursday: Spaghetti & Meatballs, Green Beans, Homemade Bread - What could be better than spaghetti topped with homemade marinara and homemade meatballs? Well...nothing, unless you add homemade bread and Farmers' Market green beans to the plate!
Friday: Homemade Pizza - I think this week I'll make Chicken Parmesan pizza...sounds good to me!
Saturday: Buffalo Drummies, Twice-Baked Potatoes - A few weeks back, I caught a great sale on chicken drumsticks (the same week I got the thighs), so I bought 5 pounds of them. I brought them home and separated them into two gallon freezer bags. Into one bag, I poured a bottle of Sweet Baby Rays Buffalo Sauce & Marinade (The Man loves this stuff), and some olive oil and seasoning into the other, then I put them in the freezer. I'll just set the bag in the fridge to thaw the night before, then roast the drummies at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. The potatoes can be in there as well. Easy dinner!
Unfortunately, I didn't get around to writing up recipes for last week's menu items because we've all been sick, but check
Mangia Bene!
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