It's been a rough couple of days so I'm finally getting around to posting menus. I'm gonna start with today since I didn't cook last night (Eric made fried rice) and I'm going through Monday because my parents are coming up this weekend and I wanted to make sure I make yummy stuff while they're here!
Tuesday, 9/29: Sweet and Sour Chicken
This is a recipe from my mother-in-law which you can find here. Delicious and easy too!! One thing I do differently is cut the chicken up - I think the flavor permeates more when it is in bite sized pieces. Serve over rice. Sometimes I like to buy the frozen oriental veggie mix and mix that in too. Yum. (I just realized I have posted this one already but I did it with pork last time)
Wednesday, 9/30: Hamburgers
We just got a Costco rebate so we "splurged" and bought the yummy frozen sirloin patties. Hamburgers are a favorite around here.
Thursday, 10/1: Hawaiian Haystacks
I am so excited for Fall - but I had to squeeze in my favorite summer dish one more time!
http://kristiescookin.blogspot.com/2009/07/menus-83-87.html
Friday, 10/2: Tortilla Soup (!!)
I have been WAITING for cooler weather so I can start making my favorite soups!!! This is one of my favorite favorite favorites and it is so easy! Got this from my fabulous sister-in-law Jenn.
1/2 lb cooked chicken, shredded
1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
1(10 oz) can enchilada sauce (red)
1 medium onion, diced (I use onion powder)
1(4 oz) diced green chilies
1(14 1/2 oz) can chicken broth
1(15oz) whole kernel corn, drained
1 clove garlic, cut or smashed (I use garlic powder)
1 Tbsp. dried cilantro (I've never found dried cilantro but fresh is good too!!)
Combine all in crock pot. Cook 4 to 5 hours on LOW. Top with sour cream, grated cheese, tortilla chips.
Saturday, 10/3: Creamy Meatballs and Potatoes
I may have posted this one before but here it is again. It is a Metler family favorite and a recent favorite of my moms! When I asked her if she had any requests for dinner while she was here - this is the first one she came up with. So, try it...it's delicious!
Sunday, 10/4: Tri-tip
Tri-tip Friday got postponed to Sunday this week. Same 'ol Same 'ol.
Monday, 10/5: Chicken Pot Pie
I just made this a couple weeks ago - but it was so good and I want my mom to taste it! So here we go again. http://kristiescookin.blogspot.com/2009/09/menus-914-918.html. The only thing I'm going to do differently this time is add small cubed potatoes! I think that will be delicious!
Enjoy!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Menus 9/21 - 9/25
I want to share something I learned last week: I was comparing prices on rice at Winco and found that the bulk rice is cheaper than the bagged rice - only by a few cents - but every cent counts, right? I also learned that "converted" rice is the way to go! I have always wondered how restaurants get their rice to be smooth and non-sticky...it's converted rice! I love it!
Ok, on with this week's menus. I'm trying really hard to try things that I wouldn't normally - or to at least try new things instead of making the same stuff over and over.
Monday, 9/21: Chicken with Polenta
This is from the Southern Living Top Rated cookbook. There are a few adjustments I'll be making to the recipe - I'll post my review later!
http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=259127
Tuesday, 9/22: Honey Garlic Pork Tenderloin
Once again, from SL Top Rated - I love that cookbook!
http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=258166
Wednesday, 9/23: Gringo Tamale Pie
Ok - I was going to make this several weeks ago and I never got around to it because I didn't have any corn meal like I thought I did! So I have corn meal in hand and we're gonna give it a shot now! Go here for the recipe.
Thursday, 9/24: Sausage and Mashed Potato Casserole
Haylie loved that sausage so much last week so I wanted to do another sausage recipe. So this is what my search turned up:
http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1898465
Friday, 9/25: You guessed it, Tri-tip!!
Tri-tip Friday. Gotta' love it.
Ok, on with this week's menus. I'm trying really hard to try things that I wouldn't normally - or to at least try new things instead of making the same stuff over and over.
Monday, 9/21: Chicken with Polenta
This is from the Southern Living Top Rated cookbook. There are a few adjustments I'll be making to the recipe - I'll post my review later!
http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=259127
Tuesday, 9/22: Honey Garlic Pork Tenderloin
Once again, from SL Top Rated - I love that cookbook!
http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=258166
Wednesday, 9/23: Gringo Tamale Pie
Ok - I was going to make this several weeks ago and I never got around to it because I didn't have any corn meal like I thought I did! So I have corn meal in hand and we're gonna give it a shot now! Go here for the recipe.
Thursday, 9/24: Sausage and Mashed Potato Casserole
Haylie loved that sausage so much last week so I wanted to do another sausage recipe. So this is what my search turned up:
http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1898465
Friday, 9/25: You guessed it, Tri-tip!!
Tri-tip Friday. Gotta' love it.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Sausages with White Beans Review
I hope you checked out this recipe on Michelle's blog. It was fantastic. I know I've been fairly blessed that Haylie is not a real picky eater - she usually eats what we put in front of her without much fuss - but you should have seen her scarf this down! I usually give her 4-5 pieces of meat no matter what we're eating - that is what I expect her to eat. She ate her 4-5 slices of sausage and asked for more! She probably ate a total of 8-10 slices of sausage. And she liked the beans too. Anna enjoyed it as well. Even if you are not a huge fan of sausage (which, btw, I am not usually) - you should definitely try this one.
5 out of 5 stars, for sure!
5 out of 5 stars, for sure!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Menus 9/14 - 9/18
Monday 9/14: Chicken Pot Pie
I made this chicken pot pie tonight and it was FANTASTIC! It is from the Southern Living Top Rated cookbook. It was a very cool day today and this was the perfect dinner.
1- 15 oz package refrigerated pie crust
2/3 cup butter
2/3 cup chopped onion
2/3 cup chopped celery
2/3 cup all purpose flour
3 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 1/3 cups milk
4 cups chopped roasted chicken breast
1 cup sliced carrots, cooked
1/2 cup frozen green peas, thawed
3/4 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
1/4 t. poultry seasoning
1/4 t. hot sauce
Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat; add onions and celery and saute until tender.
Add flour, stirring until blended; cook, stirring constantly, 2 minutes. Stir in broth and milk, stirring constantly, and cook 2 minutes. Stir in chicken, sliced carrots, and remaining ingredients.
Pour into a 9x13 pan and cover with refrigerated pie crust. Cut slits in pie crust.
Bake at 400 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes or until golden. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.
Yield: 8 servings
Here's what mine looked like:
I did a few things differently from the recipe. As usual, I didn't use real onions - I used dried chopped onion. I only used 1/2 cup butter because I didn't want to cut into another cube! But it was totally fine! I used fresh carrots that I sliced and boiled - they're so much better than frozen. I didn't add any poultry seasoning or hot sauce...it didn't seem necessary to me. But speaking of poultry seasoning...if you want to save some money - buy chicken bouillon and make your own chicken broth instead of buying it canned. 1 t. of bouillon per 1 cup of water - it goes a LONG way - much cheaper than buying canned broth. Also, as you can see from my picture, I didn't use a 9x13 pan - this is a Corningware pan - not sure what the measurements are but it is a little smaller around than a 9x13 but it is deeper. Make sense? Anyway - try this now - it was so yummy.
Tuesday, 9/15: Sausage with White Beans
I'm going to send you to my friend Michelle's cooking blog Inside Our Kitchen for this recipe - I saw it over there and had to try it. Click the link above for the recipe.
Wednesday, 9/16: Baked Linguine with Meat Sauce
This recipe is also from the Southern Living Top Rated cookbook. Looks yummy.
http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=258211
Thursday, 9/17: BOOK CLUB
I'm having delicious chinese food at book club....haven't thought of anything just yet for Eric and the girls...
Friday, 9/18: Tri-tip
Of course! BBQ tri-tip - probably some mashed taters and corn on the cob. I love Tri-tip Fridays! ;-)
Enjoy!
I made this chicken pot pie tonight and it was FANTASTIC! It is from the Southern Living Top Rated cookbook. It was a very cool day today and this was the perfect dinner.
1- 15 oz package refrigerated pie crust
2/3 cup butter
2/3 cup chopped onion
2/3 cup chopped celery
2/3 cup all purpose flour
3 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 1/3 cups milk
4 cups chopped roasted chicken breast
1 cup sliced carrots, cooked
1/2 cup frozen green peas, thawed
3/4 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
1/4 t. poultry seasoning
1/4 t. hot sauce
Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat; add onions and celery and saute until tender.
Add flour, stirring until blended; cook, stirring constantly, 2 minutes. Stir in broth and milk, stirring constantly, and cook 2 minutes. Stir in chicken, sliced carrots, and remaining ingredients.
Pour into a 9x13 pan and cover with refrigerated pie crust. Cut slits in pie crust.
Bake at 400 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes or until golden. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.
Yield: 8 servings
Here's what mine looked like:
I did a few things differently from the recipe. As usual, I didn't use real onions - I used dried chopped onion. I only used 1/2 cup butter because I didn't want to cut into another cube! But it was totally fine! I used fresh carrots that I sliced and boiled - they're so much better than frozen. I didn't add any poultry seasoning or hot sauce...it didn't seem necessary to me. But speaking of poultry seasoning...if you want to save some money - buy chicken bouillon and make your own chicken broth instead of buying it canned. 1 t. of bouillon per 1 cup of water - it goes a LONG way - much cheaper than buying canned broth. Also, as you can see from my picture, I didn't use a 9x13 pan - this is a Corningware pan - not sure what the measurements are but it is a little smaller around than a 9x13 but it is deeper. Make sense? Anyway - try this now - it was so yummy.
Tuesday, 9/15: Sausage with White Beans
I'm going to send you to my friend Michelle's cooking blog Inside Our Kitchen for this recipe - I saw it over there and had to try it. Click the link above for the recipe.
Wednesday, 9/16: Baked Linguine with Meat Sauce
This recipe is also from the Southern Living Top Rated cookbook. Looks yummy.
http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=258211
Thursday, 9/17: BOOK CLUB
I'm having delicious chinese food at book club....haven't thought of anything just yet for Eric and the girls...
Friday, 9/18: Tri-tip
Of course! BBQ tri-tip - probably some mashed taters and corn on the cob. I love Tri-tip Fridays! ;-)
Enjoy!
Monday, September 7, 2009
Menus 9/7 - 9/11
Keeping it pretty simple this week - seems to be a lot going on!
Monday, 9/7: LABOR DAY BBQ!
Remember that tri-tip I got last week? We're barbecuing it tonight with corn on the cob and potato salad. YUM.
Tuesday, 9/8: Chicken Enchiladas
I'm most likely going to use some generic red enchilada sauce - just roll up some chicken and cheese in a tortilla, smother it with sauce, and bake.
Wednesday, 9/9: Hot Dogs
Yup - going all out...I have enrichment this night and I am in charge of the food - so Eric and the girls are on their own!
Thursday, 9/10: Taco Salad
I am going to the Madera fair to see my favorite country singer, Gary Allan~so once again we're keeping it simple. Lettuce, ground beef, corn, black beans, tomatoes, cheese, tortilla chips, and your favorite dressing.
Friday, 9/11: Pork Tenderloin
I made this one a couple months ago - it was delicious - time to do it again!
http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=257454
Happy cooking!
Monday, 9/7: LABOR DAY BBQ!
Remember that tri-tip I got last week? We're barbecuing it tonight with corn on the cob and potato salad. YUM.
Tuesday, 9/8: Chicken Enchiladas
I'm most likely going to use some generic red enchilada sauce - just roll up some chicken and cheese in a tortilla, smother it with sauce, and bake.
Wednesday, 9/9: Hot Dogs
Yup - going all out...I have enrichment this night and I am in charge of the food - so Eric and the girls are on their own!
Thursday, 9/10: Taco Salad
I am going to the Madera fair to see my favorite country singer, Gary Allan~so once again we're keeping it simple. Lettuce, ground beef, corn, black beans, tomatoes, cheese, tortilla chips, and your favorite dressing.
Friday, 9/11: Pork Tenderloin
I made this one a couple months ago - it was delicious - time to do it again!
http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=257454
Happy cooking!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Menus 8/31 - 9/4
I'm late posting again...but before I list my menus I want to tell you (locals) to go shopping at Winco this week! You should have received an ad in the mail this weekend. They are opening a new store in Fresno and so the Clovis store is having a Grand Opening sale too. I saved about $20 today with the coupons from the ad. Some of my favorite deals:
Honey Nut Cheerios $.98 (coupon necessary)
Capri Sun 10 pack $.98 (coupon necessary)
3 lbs frozen boneless skinless chicken breasts $3.98 (coupon necessary)
Santiam canned veggies $.28 each (coupon necessary)
Bar S Bacon $.98 (coupon necessary)
Corn on the cob $.10 each
Ground beef (extra lean 7% fat) was $2.98/lb but has an instant coupon on the package for $3 off
Tri-tip $1.78/lb (!!)
Cheese Winco brand $1.98/lb
Deli Turkey $1.98/lb
I had so much fun shopping today because I felt like everything was on sale!
On a completely unrelated note, my chickens are laying eggs again and it was so fun to NOT have to buy eggs at the store! We're getting about 2 eggs a day (1 from each of 2 chickens, 3rd chicken not laying yet).
Ok...so here we go:
Monday, 8/31: Baked Potatoes
I had to be creative last night because I hadn't been shopping yet...so we had baked potatoes with chili con carne, cheese, sour cream and bacon. Yum.
Tuesday, 9/1: Chicken Divan
This is a yummy casserole - especially if you like curry.
3 heads fresh broccoli
2-3 chicken breasts
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can water or milk
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 t. lemon juice
1/2 t. curry powder
1/2 cup shredded cheese
Cook broccoli, drain and place in 9x13 dish. Simmer chicken, cut up, and arrange on broccoli. Mix next 5 ingredients and pour over top. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes. Serve with rice.
*I usually use about 1 broccoli crown and it seems to be enough for my family - and probably about half as much chicken too. Also, if you're not a big fan of mayo, sour cream works well too.
Wednesday, 9/2: ???
Eric is going to the vineyard straight from work so my friend invited me and the girls over for dinner. I will not be cooking...hooray!
Thursday, 9/3: Glazed Chicken over Couscous Pilaf
I found this in a cookbook my sister-in-law gave me years and years ago. Pillsbury Fast and Healthy cookbook. I've never made couscous before so I thougth this would be fun. It says to broil the chicken, but I think I am going to try and bake it - seems like oftentimes meat gets tough in the broiler...
Pilaf
1/2 cup frozen sweet peas
3/4 cup water
1/8 t. salt
1/8 t. ginger
1/2 cup uncoooked couscous
Chicken
2 T. orange juice
1 T. apricot preserves or honey
1/2 t. spicy brown mustard
2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
In medium saucepan, combine peas, water, salt, and ginger. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in couscous. Cover; let stand 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine orange juice, preserves and mustard; bled well. Pour half of mixture (about 2 tablespoons) into another small dish; reserve for topping. Place chicken on broiler pan; bursh with about half of remaining orange juice glaze.
Broil 4 to 6 inches from heat for 5 minutes. Turn chicken. Brush with glaze; discard any remaning glaze. Broil an additional 3 to 5 minutes or until chicken is fork-tender and juices run clear.
Stir couscous mixture lightly with fork; Serve chicken on top of couscous and drizze with reserved orange juice mixture.
Friday, 9/4: Tri Tip on the BBQ, corn on the cob, mashed taters
I {heart} tri-tip. I can't help myself - I always overeat when tri-tip is on the menu. I'll probably just sprinkle it with Pappys and have Eric BBQ it. Sheesh, now I can't wait 'til Friday!
Enjoy!
Honey Nut Cheerios $.98 (coupon necessary)
Capri Sun 10 pack $.98 (coupon necessary)
3 lbs frozen boneless skinless chicken breasts $3.98 (coupon necessary)
Santiam canned veggies $.28 each (coupon necessary)
Bar S Bacon $.98 (coupon necessary)
Corn on the cob $.10 each
Ground beef (extra lean 7% fat) was $2.98/lb but has an instant coupon on the package for $3 off
Tri-tip $1.78/lb (!!)
Cheese Winco brand $1.98/lb
Deli Turkey $1.98/lb
I had so much fun shopping today because I felt like everything was on sale!
On a completely unrelated note, my chickens are laying eggs again and it was so fun to NOT have to buy eggs at the store! We're getting about 2 eggs a day (1 from each of 2 chickens, 3rd chicken not laying yet).
Ok...so here we go:
Monday, 8/31: Baked Potatoes
I had to be creative last night because I hadn't been shopping yet...so we had baked potatoes with chili con carne, cheese, sour cream and bacon. Yum.
Tuesday, 9/1: Chicken Divan
This is a yummy casserole - especially if you like curry.
3 heads fresh broccoli
2-3 chicken breasts
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can water or milk
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 t. lemon juice
1/2 t. curry powder
1/2 cup shredded cheese
Cook broccoli, drain and place in 9x13 dish. Simmer chicken, cut up, and arrange on broccoli. Mix next 5 ingredients and pour over top. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes. Serve with rice.
*I usually use about 1 broccoli crown and it seems to be enough for my family - and probably about half as much chicken too. Also, if you're not a big fan of mayo, sour cream works well too.
Wednesday, 9/2: ???
Eric is going to the vineyard straight from work so my friend invited me and the girls over for dinner. I will not be cooking...hooray!
Thursday, 9/3: Glazed Chicken over Couscous Pilaf
I found this in a cookbook my sister-in-law gave me years and years ago. Pillsbury Fast and Healthy cookbook. I've never made couscous before so I thougth this would be fun. It says to broil the chicken, but I think I am going to try and bake it - seems like oftentimes meat gets tough in the broiler...
Pilaf
1/2 cup frozen sweet peas
3/4 cup water
1/8 t. salt
1/8 t. ginger
1/2 cup uncoooked couscous
Chicken
2 T. orange juice
1 T. apricot preserves or honey
1/2 t. spicy brown mustard
2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
In medium saucepan, combine peas, water, salt, and ginger. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in couscous. Cover; let stand 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine orange juice, preserves and mustard; bled well. Pour half of mixture (about 2 tablespoons) into another small dish; reserve for topping. Place chicken on broiler pan; bursh with about half of remaining orange juice glaze.
Broil 4 to 6 inches from heat for 5 minutes. Turn chicken. Brush with glaze; discard any remaning glaze. Broil an additional 3 to 5 minutes or until chicken is fork-tender and juices run clear.
Stir couscous mixture lightly with fork; Serve chicken on top of couscous and drizze with reserved orange juice mixture.
Friday, 9/4: Tri Tip on the BBQ, corn on the cob, mashed taters
I {heart} tri-tip. I can't help myself - I always overeat when tri-tip is on the menu. I'll probably just sprinkle it with Pappys and have Eric BBQ it. Sheesh, now I can't wait 'til Friday!
Enjoy!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
