1/29/17 – 2/05/17

Sunday – Rotisserie Chicken, Stuffing and Veggie

Monday- Sheet Pan Dinner – smoked sausage and seasoned potato wedges – 45 Minutes

Tuesday – – Garlic Chicken (Crockpot)  – Mashed Potatoes – Corn

Wednesday – Mom’s Mac & Cheese – Sausage – Corn

Thursday – Shake and Bake Chicken  Legs, Rice Dish and Veggie

Friday – Taco Salad

Saturday –   Maple Balsamic Chicken Sheet Pan Meal   –

Sunday –   BAKED TERIYAKI CHICKEN * Liked by everyone!  Another Restaurant meal according to hubby! Asian flavored quinoa  –  Fresh 20 December 30th

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon cold water
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup cider vinegar
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 12 skinless chicken thighs

DIRECTIONS

1. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the cornstarch, cold water, sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, ginger and ground black pepper. Let simmer, stirring frequently, until sauce thickens and bubbles.
2. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
3. Place chicken pieces in a lightly greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Brush chicken with the sauce. Turn pieces over, and brush again.
4. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Turn pieces over, and bake for another 30 minutes, until no longer pink and juices run clear. Brush with sauce every 10 minutes during cooking.

For more Menu Planning inspiration stop by and visit Laura at Organizing Junkie and participate in Menu Plan Monday. 

Wishing you a wonderful week!!

10/29/16 – 11/06/16

Saturday – Lasagna Roll Ups , Green Beans, Salad (Fresh 20 GF October 9, 2015 ), Garlic Bread

· LASAGNA ROLL UPS

· spaghetti sauce (your choice)

· 1 lb mozzarella cheese

· 15 ounces ricotta cheese

· parmesan cheese

· 1 (16 ounce) bag frozen spinach, rinsed and squeezed out

· 1 egg

· lasagna noodle

1. cook lasagna noodles about 2-5 min shorter than the time it says (they are easier to handle then) mix all together in a bowl.
2. Grated mozzarella cheese, ricotta cheese, frozen spinach, and the egg.
3. Add some Parmesan cheese.
4. lay out lasagna noodles, spread the cheese mixture.
5. then add sauce.
6. roll lasagna noodle, place in a 13 x 9 in pan (this will hold about 12 roll ups) keep doing this until your pan is full.
7. then spread more sauce and Parmesan cheese on top.
8. When it is time to bake take out the sauce and the roll ups as many as you need.
9. Bake 350 oven for 40 min (if thawed) or until cheese is melted

Sunday –  Tommy’s Birthday Meal – Panera Broccoli and Cheese Soup – Turkey Focaccia Club Sandwiches (Simple & Delicious: Oct/Nov 2013 – pg 21) and Oreo Fudge Ice Cream Cake

Monday – Squirmy Wormy Sandwiches and Chips

Tuesday – Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry  x 2

Wednesday –  Chicken and Rice Soup (crockpot)

Thursday – Beef Enchiladas and Spanish Rice

EASY BEEF ENCHILADAS (What’s For Dinner Site)

Ingredients
2 cups cooked, ground beef
2 10 oz cans Enchilada Sauce
1 1/2 cups shredded cheese (I use Kraft 2% milk cheddar)
1 12 ct. pkg. flour tortillas
Directions
1. Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Heat chicken, 3/4 cup enchilada sauce, and 1 cup cheese in skillet until warmed through and cheese is melted.
2. Spoon enchilada filling onto tortillas; roll up and place seam-side down in lightly greased 13x9x2 baking dish.
3. Pour remaining enchilada sauce over top; sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes.

Friday – Black Bean Quesadillas:

• Onions, red – 3/4, diced
• Bell peppers, any color – 1 1/2, diced
• Cilantro, fresh (opt) – 1 1/2 Tbsp, chopped
• Beans, black (14 oz / 397 g) – 1 1/2 cans, drained and rinsed
• Oil, cooking – 1 1/2 Tbsp
• Chili powder – 1 1/2 tsp
• Cumin, ground – 3/4 tsp
• Salsa, store-bought (choose your fave) – 1 1/8 cups
• Tortillas, flour and taco-sized – 18
• Cheese, cheddar or Mexican blend – 9 oz, shredded
• Sour cream, for serving – 3/8 cup

1. Heat a saucepan over medium heat. Add oil and when hot, add onions and bell peppers and saute until tender, ~3 minutes. Add chili powder and cumin and saute until fragrant, ~1 minute. Add black beans and salsa and simmer until any extra moisture is cooked off, 2 to 3 minutes. Take pan off the heat and stir in cilantro (the portion for the quesadillas). Season with some salt and pepper.
2. Heat a nonstick frying pan over medium heat. Place a tortilla in the pan, top it with a heaping spoonful of filling, cheese and then another tortilla. When the tortilla on the bottom is golden brown and crisp, flip the quesadilla and cook on the other side until golden brown and crisp. Continue with the remaining tortillas and filling. (Note: As written, the recipe makes 1.5 quesadillas per person.)
3. Slice quesadillas into wedges and serve with guacamole, sour cream and extra salsa. Enjoy!

Saturday- Baked Teriyaki Chicken,  Mom’s Mac and Cheese

MOM’S MACARONI AND CHEESE

1-1/2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
5 tablespoons butter or margarine, divided
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1-1/2 cups milk
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
2 ounces process American cheese, cubed
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons dry bread crumbs

Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain.  Place in greased

1-1/2 qt. baking dish; set aside.  In a saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of

butter over medium heat.  Stir in flour until smooth.  Gradually add

milk; bring to a boil.  Cook and stir for 2 minutes; reduce heat.  Stir

in cheese, salt and pepper until cheese is melted.  Pour over macaroni;

mix well.  Melt the remaining butter; add the breadcrumbs.  Sprinkle

over casserole.  Bake, uncovered, at 375 degrees for 30 minutes. 

Yield : 6 Servings

Sunday – Chili and Corn Bread

VERSATILE SLOW-COOKER CHILI

Makes 6-8 servings

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cooking Time: 6 hours

1 lb. ground beef or turkey
2 – 15-oz. cans tomato sauce
2 – 15-oz. cans kidney bens or black beans, drained
1 envelope dry chili seasoning
15-oz can of water, or more or less 

1. Brown ground beef or turkey in a non-stick skillet. Drain
2. Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker.
3. Cover and cook on Low for 6 hours.

** Fix-It and Forget-It – 5 Ingredient Favorites

Work Lunch for Week:      Panera Copycat Autumn Soup and Salad

Snack:   Snap Peas  and Hummus

Breakfast:   Broccoli and Cheddar Egg Bake

The Fresh 20 is a 5 day meal plan. They offer the following menus: Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Classic, Vegetarian, For One, Kosher and Lunch

For more Menu Planning inspiration stop by and visit Laura at Organizing Junkie and participate in Menu Plan Monday. 

Need help getting started menu planning – Emeals is also great solution.  Many meal plans to chose from at a very affordable price.

Wishing you a wonderful week!!

M

9/4/16 – 9/18/16

4th – Sunday – Chicken Drumsticks , French Fries, Corn and Beans

5th – Monday – Best Pork Chops​- Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Marinade: (2 hours)
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup Soy Sauce
1/4 cup Worchestershire Sauce
1/3 cup EV Olive Oil
1 heaping tablespoon of chopped garlic
’bout 10 Basil leaves chopped into ribbons
Saturday
Oil the grill with some olive oil, then crank it so it hits like 450-500 degrees. (You don’t have to, but I threw on a cedar plank and got it smoking during this time before I put the chops on) Put the chops on and turn down the grill so it stays around 350 for the rest of the time. Close lid. (On our grill this means turn it down to about half-power for all of the burners) Grill 2 minutes, then turn (not flip, just turn), them a quarter turn and grill 2 more minutes on the same side. Close lid. Then flip and grill 2 minutes, (close lid) and then turn them a quarter turn and grill for 2 more minutes. Close lid… (8 minutes total, 4-minutes each side). Remove to a plate, wrap it all up with foil and let them rest for 5 minutes. There you go.

6th – Tuesday –  SOCCER GAME (Bake Cookies and Bars  for Soccer Dinner)

7th – Wednesday –  20 Minute Skillet Lasagna – Soccer Dinner

8th – Thursday – Roast  with Vegetables (Parents Night At North Campus)

9th – Friday – Hotdogs, Chili and Curly Fries

10th –Saturday  – Beer in the rear Chicken, Baked Potato and Beans

11th – Sunday – Stuffed Pesto Chicken  with white bean salad CookSmarts 9/15/16

12th – Monday- Chicken Bacon Ranch Wraps – Fruit

13th –Tuesday – Soccer Game – Legacy –  Crock Pot Soup

BEEF BARLEY SOUP

1 lb ground beef, browned
6 cups water
32 ounces canned tomatoes, stewed, crushed or whole
3 cups sliced carrots
1 cup diced celery
1 cup diced potatoes
1 cup diced onions
3/4 cup quick-cooking barley
3 tsp. beef bouillon granules, or 3 beef bouillon cubes
2 -3 tsp. salt
¼ tsp. pepper

1. Combine all ingredients in slow cooker.
2. Cover.  Cook on low 8-10 hours or high 4 -5 hours.
3. Serve with fresh bread and cheese cubes.

***FIX IT AND FORGET IT RECIPES for ENTERTAINING

14th – Wednesday – FPU – Chicken Enchilada Pasta (Skillet Meal)

15th – Thursday – Soccer Game-  Hamburgers and Tater Tots 

16th –Friday – Chicken Philly Sandwiches with arugula and plum side salad – CookSmarts 8/22/16

17th – Saturday – Summer Pasta Soup with pesto / white beans – CookSmarts 9/15/16

18th – Sunday  – – Baked Teriyaki Chicken, Mac and Cheese and Corn

8/15/16 – 8/27/15

Monday 15^th – Chicken Salad Sandwiches– Fresh Fruit

Tuesday 16^th – Beef Enchiladas

Wednesday 17^th – Asian Chicken Thighs , baked Potato,   Salad

Thursday 18^th –  Teriyaki Shrimp Stir Fry (Cook Smarts)​

Friday 19^th – Crispy Fish Sandwiches with Creamy Sauce (Cook Smarts)

Saturday 20^th – Chicken and Potatoes with Garlic Parmesan Cream Sauce – Salad

Sunday 21^st – Rib Dinner

 

Monday 22^nd – Baked Teriyaki Chicken, Mac and Cheese and Corn

Tuesday 23^rd –  ​Best Pork Chops​- Pasta Salad

Marinade: (2 hours)
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup Soy Sauce
1/4 cup Worchestershire Sauce
1/3 cup EV Olive Oil
1 heaping tablespoon of chopped garlic
’bout 10 Basil leaves chopped into ribbons
Saturday
Oil the grill with some olive oil, then crank it so it hits like 450-500 degrees. (You don’t have to, but I threw on a cedar plank and got it smoking during this time before I put the chops on) Put the chops on and turn down the grill so it stays around 350 for the rest of the time. Close lid. (On our grill this means turn it down to about half-power for all of the burners) Grill 2 minutes, then turn (not flip, just turn), them a quarter turn and grill 2 more minutes on the same side. Close lid. Then flip and grill 2 minutes, (close lid) and then turn them a quarter turn and grill for 2 more minutes. Close lid… (8 minutes total, 4-minutes each side). Remove to a plate, wrap it all up with foil and let them rest for 5 minutes. There you go.

Wednesday 24^th –  ​French Toast – Scrambled Eggs  ​

Thursday 25^th – ​ Summer Deli Cobb Salad with Creamy with creamy  herb dressing Cook Smarts – 8/1/16​

Friday 26th – Crunchy Beef and Bean Tacos – Emeals 492 / Salad

Saturday 27^th –  ​ Beef Stroganoff ​

 

Wishing you a wonderful week!!

5/16/16 – 5/26/16

WEEK#1

Sunday:   Almond Crusted Tilapia – Asparagus Quinoa   (Fresh HP 4/29/16)

Monday:   Cheesy Goulash

Tuesday:    Noodle Soup and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Wednesday: Salad – Chicken Salad /Strawberry and Blueberry

Thursday:  Amish Breakfast Casserole and Sausage

Friday:   Hamburgers and Tots

Saturday:  Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup/ Salad

Sunday:  CHICKEN RISOTTO

2 cups uncooked white rice

1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream

of mushroom soup

2 cups chicken broth

1 cup fresh mushrooms, sliced

2 tablespoons chopped green bell pepper

3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

1 tablespoon dried minced onion

1 teaspoon dried oregano

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

4 chicken thighs

3 tablespoons Italian-style dry bread

crumbs

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

In a large bowl, combine the rice, mushroom soup, chicken broth, mushrooms, green bell pepper, basil, onion, oregano, garlic, ground black pepper and 1/4 cup cheese. Stir until all ingredients are well mixed.

Pour this mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Place the chicken on top of the mixture and cover with foil. In a separate small bowl, combine the bread crumbs and remaining cheese and set aside.

Bake at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) for 1 hour, remove from oven, uncover and sprinkle with the reserved bread crumb mixture. Return to oven and bake, uncovered, for 20 more minutes, or until golden brown.

WEEK#2

Monday: Meatloaf –Mashed Potatoes – Carrots

Tuesday: Tacos (crockpot)

TACOS FOR A CROWD (crockpot)
2-1/2 lbs. lean ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cans (10 oz) stewed tomatoes
2-3 cans (8 oz) tomato sauce
2 pkgs. taco mix
Salt and pepper to taste
3 dozen taco shells
Brown meat, drain and add onion. Combine stewed tomatoes, tomato
sauce, taco mix and salt and pepper in a crockpot. Add meat
mixture. Cook on high for 1-1/2 hours continue cooking for 2 hours
on medium or the low setting. Serve with shredded lettuce, diced
tomatoes, onions, olives, cheese and sour cream on browned shells

Wednesday:  Tater Tot Casserole

1 lb ground turkey cooked, seasoned, drained
2lb bags tater tots
1 can cream of mushroom
1 can evaporated milk
1 can cream of chicken
Brown meat & place in large cass. dish.
Cover with tater tots. Mix soup & milk together.
Pour over top. Bake at 350 for 1 Hour.
(One of Daddy’s Favorites!) Makes 1- 9”X13” pans

Add Mixed Veggies to meat before doing rest of recipe

Thursday:  EASY BEEF ENCHILADAS (What’s For Dinner Site)

Ingredients
2 cups cooked, ground beef
2 10 oz cans Enchilada Sauce
1 1/2 cups shredded cheese (I use Kraft 2% milk cheddar)
1 12 ct. pkg. flour tortillas
Directions
1. Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Heat chicken, 3/4 cup enchilada sauce, and 1 cup cheese in skillet until warmed through and cheese is melted.
2. Spoon enchilada filling onto tortillas; roll up and place seam-side down in lightly greased 13x9x2 baking dish.
3. Pour remaining enchilada sauce over top; sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes.

Wishing you a wonderful week!!

Hello Friends  –

A new little addition over at my other blog,  Reading in White Bear Lake, is making it’s debut today.  I  love the Little Free  Libraries popping up all over White Bear Lake.  I hope to someday have my very own Little Free Library.   Until, I do hubby and I will be biking to various Little Libraries and leaving one of the books or audiobooks, I have reviewed on Reading in White Bear Lake for others to enjoy. 

As I continue on my path to own less, I don’t keep books after I read them.   So what better way to share the books or audio books with the community of White Bear Lake!!

On Saturday, May 7th, I placed an audio book, The Art of Arranging Flowers in the Little Free Library locate by Indulge Salon at 2183 3rd Street in Downtown White Bear Lake. 

If you read my review of The Art Arranging Flowers  by Lynne Barnard and would like to listen to this audio book, head over to the Little Free Library by Indulge Salon.

I hope to place more of the books and audio books I have reviewed at various free libraries around White Bear Lake.   Not many of the Free Libraries are actually on the Little Free Library website map.  If you know of a location of a free library around White Bear Lake, please let me know.

MY REQUEST TO YOU:   If you take this audiobook from this free library,  please leave a comment on this post so others know it has been picked up.   Once you have enjoyed the audiobook, please leave another message of the Free Little Library location you have place it in after listening to it, so the next person can locate it.    Please leave the sticker on audiobook with the URL, readinginwbl.org.   

I look forward to seeing who enjoys the books and gets to visit White Bear Lake, our beautiful community.

Paul and I rode our bikes by White Bear Lake, it was great to see the boats returning to the lake.

We heading back home after a stop at Ramsey County Beach.   What a beautiful day we enjoyed!!

Happy Reading,

4/30/16  – 5/15/16

It has been while since we have menu planned.  April was our challenge month – we tried to use up as much food in our home as possible.  We also had a large party for my father-in-law’s 90th birthday, so needed a lot of fridge room.   I also went out of town for 4 days and hubby was on his own for feeding the family.

This might be the picture hubby sent me of the nutritious meal he made while I was out of town.   So needless to say, I  am back to meal planning.  Lots of veggies on the menu plan for the next two weeks!

WEEK #1

Saturday – Rotisserie Chicken

Sunday, 1 – (Lakeshore Players) – Turkey Focaccia Club,  Bean Salad, Fruit Salad and Dessert

Monday , 2nd – Cheesy Stuffed Zucchini (Fresh HP 4/22/16)

Tuesday, 3rd  –Broccoli Quinoa Bake  (Fresh HP 4/22/16)

Wednesday,  4th  – (MacPhail Center) –  Mom’s Mac and Cheese – Chicken Sausage

MOM’S MACARONI AND CHEESE

1-1/2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni

5 tablespoons butter or margarine, divided

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1-1/2 cups milk

1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese

2 ounces process American cheese, cubed

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon pepper

2 tablespoons dry bread crumbs

Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain.  Place in greased

1-1/2 qt. baking dish; set aside.  In a saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of

butter over medium heat.  Stir in flour until smooth.  Gradually add

milk; bring to a boil.  Cook and stir for 2 minutes; reduce heat.  Stir

in cheese, salt and pepper until cheese is melted.  Pour over macaroni;

mix well.  Melt the remaining butter; add the breadcrumbs.  Sprinkle

over casserole.  Bake, uncovered, at 375 degrees for 30 minutes. 

Yield : 6 Servings

Thursday, 5th –(Working Late) –

RAVIOLI CASSEROLE

-Double package of ravioli from Costco, any kind.  We love the spinach and cheese. 

For those of you without a Costco, a double package contains 2 lbs of ravioli.

-One jar of your favorite marinara or spaghetti sauce.  I use a box of Pomi marinara with a splash of red wine and fresh herbs or garlic I might have one hand.

-Mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, enough to cover the top of a 9 x 13 pan.

Boil the ravioli until al dente.  Spread it all out in a 9 x 13 pan, cover with sauce, and sprinkle with cheeses.  Heat through at about 350 degrees until cheese is thoroughly melted.

Friday, 6th –  BBQ Pork Sandwiches, Coleslaw and Chips

BARBECUED PORK

Makes 8 servings

2 lbs. boneless pork top loin
1 cup chopped onion
3/4 cup diet soda
3/4 cups barbecue sauce

Combine all ingredients in a crockpot.  Cook covered on high for 5-6 hours or until meat is very tender.  Drain and slice or shred pork.  Serve it on wheat buns. 

Saturday, 7th-  Chicken Noodle Soup

Sunday, 8th –  Rotisserie Chicken X 2 – Brussels Sprouts and Potatoes (Fresh HP 3/25/16)

WEEK #2

Monday, 9th – (Paul’s Surgery) –

CHICKEN RISOTTO

Ingredients:

Directions:

Tuesday, 10th –(Soccer Practice 6:00) Chicken Pot Stew (Fresh HP 3/25/16) – Rhubarb Pudding Cake

Wednesday, 11th – Spring Time Salad (Fresh HP 3/25/16)

Thursday, 12th  – (Soccer Game Chippewa Falls, WI 7:30) Almond Crusted Tilapia – Asparagus Quinoa   (Fresh HP 4/29/16)

Friday,13th –Tournament – Minestrone (Fresh HP 4/29/16)

Saturday, 14th  – Tournament /MN United Game – Beef Stroganoff – Roasted Potatoes  (Fresh HP 4/29/16)

Sunday, 15th – Tournament – Chopped Asian Salad  (Fresh HP 4/29/16)

The Fresh 20 is a 5 day meal plan. They offer the following menus: Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Classic, Vegetarian, For One, Kosher and Lunch

For more Menu Planning inspiration stop by and visit Laura at Organizing Junkie and participate in Menu Plan Monday. 

Need help getting started menu planning – Emeals is also great solution.  Many meal plans to chose from at a very affordable price.

Wishing you a wonderful week!!