My 4 "favorite" words in the dictionary... Mom, what's for dinner?

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Menu Plan Monday ~ Week 25


There is a HUGE need for me to become more organized with my meal planning.
I tend to just fly by the seat of my pants each day, which tends to make dinner planning quite expensive, so after seeing this idea over at Organizing Junkie, I decided to make it a weekly plan for myself.

* It's become even more important now that both Will & David are on Gluten-free, casein-free diets.

Week 25

Sunday: Game Day Baked Potato Bar (potatoes with all the fixin' s)

Monday: (wheatless) meatball subs with provalone, potato chips, applesauce (the 2 boys will eat their meatballs sans rolls)

Tuesday: spagetti & left-over meatballs & sausages

Wednesday: chicken & rice, side salad, fresh fruit

Thursday: (formal dinner) kielbasa & mashed potatoes, sauerkraut & spiced apples

Friday: (movie night) soup & wraps

Saturday: Birthday Party for cousin Timmy

Monday, October 5, 2009

Menu Plan Monday ~ Week 24


There is a HUGE need for me to become more organized with my meal planning.
I tend to just fly by the seat of my pants each day, which tends to make dinner planning quite expensive, so after seeing this idea over at Organizing Junkie, I decided to make it a weekly plan for myself.

Week 24

Sunday: Game Day wings, chicken tenders & chili with cheddar & sour cream

Monday: grilled cheese & soup

Tuesday: beef stew and hot buttered rolls

Wednesday: (birthday dinner for Emma & Will) shepherd's pie & birthday cake

Thursday: (formal dinner) Emeril's jambalaya, salad, & crusty bread

Friday: (movie night) chicken, rice & steamed carrots

Saturday: Birthday Party LOTS of YUMMY PARTY FOOD

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Menu Plan Monday ~ Week 23


There is a HUGE need for me to become more organized with my meal planning.
I tend to just fly by the seat of my pants each day, which tends to make dinner planning quite expensive, so after seeing this idea over at Organizing Junkie, I decided to make it a weekly plan for myself.

Week 23

Sunday: angel hair pasta with chicken parmesan and garlic bread

Monday: potato chowder and crusty bread

Tuesday: meatloaf, mashed potatoes, applesauce & dinner rolls

Wednesday: seasoned chicken breast, wild rice, fresh fruit & side salad

Thursday: (formal dinner) pork roast, sauerkraut, mashed potatoes & steamed carrots

Friday: (movie night) chili with rice & cornbread

Saturday: breakfast for dinner

Monday, August 24, 2009

Menu Plan Monday ~ Week 22


There is a HUGE need for me to become more organized with my meal planning.
I tend to just fly by the seat of my pants each day, which tends to make dinner planning quite expensive, so after seeing this idea over at Organizing Junkie, I decided to make it a weekly plan for myself.

Week 22

Sunday: Date Night for Russ & I

Monday: filet mignon & roasted chicken & prosciutto borsetti

Tuesday: shepherd's pie

Wednesday: chicken & rice, corn & side salad

Thursday: (formal dinner) ham, mac & cheese & apple pie ala mode

Friday: (movie night) McDonald's (we will be traveling up to PA)

Saturday: BBQ Night, Up in PA , sausage on grill, salad, asparagus & potato salad

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Chicken & Broccoli Pasta ~ YUM!

ok, so you probably know that for the most part, we are a "natural family", meaning it is very rare that we use any processed foods in our diet.
However, there are those occassions that, like any normal parent, where I just need something a little different and quick to make for a meal (esp. when I am in the middle of moving...) and Betty Crocker seems to be about the best place I could think to turn.
I discovered Betty's pastas only just recently and saw a recipe on the back of the Parmesan Asiago Penne that I thought looked yummy and figured I would give it a try :)

Southern Style Chicken & Broccoli Pasta
by B.Smith
(and just a few changes made by me)

Of course, you need to start with 1 box of BC's Parmesan Asiago Penne
(or, for my family, 4 boxes.)


Cut up 8oz of chicken breast into bite size pieces (honestly, I just cut up as much as I thought my family would enjoy, which was 4lbs)


Heat 2 TBS butter or Extra Virgin Olive Oil in a pan over medium-high heat.


Add chicken to hot oil and cook for 7-9 minutes, or until no longer pink.
Remove chicken from pan and set aside.

You will also need 1 cup fresh broccoli. (I didn't have fresh, so I took out a bag of frozen and let it sit while the chicken was cooking to defrost. I also added some fresh, cubed zucchini since it's in season and I had some in my garden.)

Add 1 1/4 cups of water to the pan and bring to a boil. (I left the juices from the chicken to give some flavor to the water and obviously, I added a bit more water to my pan)

Add pasta to the boiling water and simmer uncovered over medium heat for 6 minutes.


Stir in broccoli (and zucchini)
Cook for 5-7 minutes longer, stirring, until pasta is tender.

Do not drain.


Add 3/4 cups milk (or 3 cups for mine)


Add the sauce mix packet


Add reserved chicken.
The recipe also calls for 1/8 tsp ground red pepper (cayenne), but instead, I just added 1/2 tsp. Mrs. Dash

Mix all ingredients together. Heat to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring.
Simmer uncovered for 2-3 minutes or until sauce thickens.
Remove from heat ; let stand for 3 minutes.
Stir & serve.
(we had a good crusty buttered roll with dinner as well)
The kids LOVED it.
YUM!

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Menu Plan Monday ~ Week 21


There is a HUGE need for me to become more organized with my meal planning.
I tend to just fly by the seat of my pants each day, which tends to make dinner planning quite expensive, so after seeing this idea over at Organizing Junkie, I decided to make it a weekly plan for myself.

Week 21

Sunday: kielbasa, sauerkraut & mashed potatoes

Monday: stuffed green peppers (stuffed with ground beef, salsa w/corn, rice & topped with cheddar cheese)

Tuesday: chicken & broccoli pasta (recipe to be posted)

Wednesday: ham, pineapple stuffing, fresh salad & dinner rolls

Thursday: (formal dinner) chicken & rice, fresh fruit, & ice cream sundaes for dessert

Friday: (movie night) pizza

Saturday: BBQ Night, Up in PA , ranch chicken, corn on the cob, baked beans, salad

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Menu Plan Monday ~ Week 20


There is a HUGE need for me to become more organized with my meal planning.
I tend to just fly by the seat of my pants each day, which tends to make dinner planning quite expensive, so after seeing this idea over at Organizing Junkie, I decided to make it a weekly plan for myself.

Week 20

Sunday: pulled-pork sandwiches with gravy, mac & cheese & fresh salad

Monday: David's Birthday homemade pizza & birthday cake

Tuesday: ham & cheese casserole, spiced apples

Wednesday: AWAY IN PA sandwiches & chips

Thursday: DINNER @ HERSHEY PARK

Friday: (movie night) cajun catfish, rice pilaf, fresh salad

Saturday: BBQ Party for my parents @ a friend's house