Last week was incredibly busy. I’m ashamed to admit that fully half of the menus from last week were never made. Instead, the Steve and the kids were forced to eat out or fend for themselves. This week I’m pretending that I want to clean out the freezer. Really - it’s overflowing with stuff. Mostly ice cream which probably won’t make a great dinner but still needs to go. Maybe an ice cream sundae night?
Mostly I just don’t want to have to do a big grocery shopping trip. Yesterday Steve and I picked up a few things - like dairy and bakery - the rest is going to be a daily adventure in cleaning out my freezer and pantry. I’ll keep you posted.
Last week was full of eating out and “menus” that can only be described as I’m-too-busy-to-cook-so-here’s-what-your-getting. Even though this week is shaping up to be just as busy, I’m going to try and cook some old family favorites (and a few special requests) in a new way that will get the job done quickly so we can get out the door. My secret weapon? The crock pot. A crock pot is an excellent tool for cooking AND keeping foods warm when you need to feed people at a lot of different times.
Monday - Tonight’s menu is from Cookbook Week. This must have been a bigger hit than I thought because Steve requested a repeat. I’ll make this ahead and leave it in the crock pot since I have a PTO meeting at 6.
Tuesday - Tuesdays are crazy around here right now -too many activities and obligations on the same night. Violet has All-City Singers practice after school until 5, then there is usually some kind of school meeting on Tuesday nights - Band Boosters, School Board, or like tonight, Senior Parent night with the Guidance counselors. Crockpot or super easy recipes are mandatory to make the evening go smoothly.
- Red Beans and Rice with Beef Sausage
- Green Peas
- Cottage Cheese
- Pears
Wednesday - Truthfully, Wednesdays aren’t much better than Tuesdays. April usually has to be at work by 5, Violet has Awana’s at 6, and Jon usually has to meet his We The People team at the library by 6:30. This recipe is super easy so I’ll feed the kids early and make Steve fresh noodles when he gets home at 7.
- Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo
- Green Beans
- Peach slices
Thursday - Today I’ll be spending most of the afternoon decorating a banquet hall for a friend’s wedding reception this weekend. April and Jon have to be out the door for a Band function by 5:30 pm but luckily they’ll be eating pizza there. Only 3 for dinner - I’ll make something easy that the kids can eat for leftovers on Saturday.
- Spaghetti
- Salad
- Garlic Bread
Friday - April’s “last meal”. She’s requested a pretty simple & easy meal. Afterward, we’ll smash her dinner plate and have friends over for cake and ice cream.
- Pork Chops
- Mashed Potatoes
- Corn
- Dinner Rolls
- Cake & Ice Cream
Saturday - Tonight we have a wedding reception to go to. There will be lots of hors d’oeuvres, so we’ll just need to eat lightly before going. I’m not planning to actually cook - I’ll have been cooking all day since I’m helping make some of the appetizers and the wedding cake. Steve and Violet can have hot dogs or leftovers of some kind. Jon & April won’t be home until after we’re gone - they have a marching festival (WebbStock) all day today. They can heat up some leftovers when they get home.
Sunday - Day of Rest!
- Salisbury Steaks
- Brown Rice
- Carrots
TV Chef Edition
Last week I wimped out and made a lot of quick and easy meals. I don’t really like cooking unfamiliar recipes for every meal. This week I’m going to do the TV Chef thing but mix them in with some family favorites that I can practically make in my sleep.
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
- Grilled Corned Beef Sandwiches
- Potato and Leek Soup (Emeril Lagasse)
Saturday
- Baked Stuffed Flounder (Alton Brown)
- Carrots
Sunday
- Pot Roast with Carrots and Potatoes (Martha Stewart)
- Green Beans
- Corn Muffins
- Berry Cookie Cobbler (Sandra Lee)
This week’s menu is pretty basic. Lot’s of easy meals, a left-over night and even takeout food. Steve’s birthday is Friday and he wants Pizza & Beer for dinner.
Monday
Tuesday
- Hamburgers
- French Fries
- Cottage Cheese
Wednesday
- Fend for yourself night - Scavenging leftovers
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Cookbook Extravaganza
The hardest thing about making dinner each night, for me, is deciding what to cook. I hate cooking the same old thing all the time but inspiration can be hard to come by.
I have a million cookbooks. Ok, maybe that’s an exaggeration but I do have a lot of them. It seems like I rarely use them though. I thought this week I’d try a recipe from a different cookbook each night.
A few of my cookbooks (purchased years and years ago) yielded not a single recipe that I would consider making. Crispy-coated Liver? Never! Veal & Mushroom Rolls? No. Recipes that use variety meats like Tongue and Tripe? Ick, who would eat that? So I threw them out. Other cookbooks had a lot of recipes that I’ve previously overlooked or made long ago and never again. So I have lots of ideas for this week…
Monday
- Chicken Ole’ from Desperation Dinners
- Sliced Monterrey Jack Cheese
- Garden Salad
Tuesday
- Meatballs in Pasta Nests from Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook
- Crusty Hard Rolls from Culinary Arts Institute Family Favorites
- Green Beans
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday - Skipped in favor of eating out at Outback. I love making reservations for dinner 
Peach Glazed Virginia Ham from Nascar Cooks CookbookGlazed CarrotsScalloped PotatoesDinner Rolls
Last week was incredibly busy. I’m ashamed to admit that fully half of the menus from last week were never made. Instead, the Steve and the kids were forced to eat out or fend for themselves. This week I’m pretending that I want to clean out the freezer. Really - it’s overflowing with stuff. Mostly ice cream which probably won’t make a great dinner but still needs to go. Maybe an ice cream sundae night?