Showing posts with label menu planning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label menu planning. Show all posts

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Menus and thoughts

Spring is such a wonderful time of year. I love seeing the flowers in bloom. Here is Utah, we've had rain in the valley and everything is lush. This is set against a backdrop of snow topped mountains. Our rain meant fresh powder around us. I am awed by the beauty and drama of it-and I'll share if I ever get a digital camera.

Today is Flag Day. There are lots of things wrong with the United States, just as there are with any country. But there are so many more things right-things we aspire to even if we do not always succeed with the execution. Our ideals of justice and equity, diversity, and fairness would make our world so much better if adhered to. I fly the flag proudly today to remind me how blessed I am to live here.

Tomorrow is Father's day, so most of the menus this week are at my husband's choosing. Luckily, he is willing to eat leftovers even then. And I still get to pick lots of things from the garden.
  • Sunday
    Pot roast with carrots and new potatoes
    Gravy
    Chard
    Bread pudding with strawberries and chocolate chips
  • Monday
    Hot open faced roast beef sandwiches
    Mashed potatoes
    Green salad
  • Tuesday
    Bisquick easy beef pot pie
    Broccoli salad
  • Wednesday
    Chicken stir fry
    Brown rice
  • Thursday
    French bread pizzas-one pepperoni, one veggie
    Green salad
  • Friday
    Hamburgers
    Chips
  • Saturday
    Grilled salmon
    Grilled veggies

Saturday, June 7, 2008

Menus 6/8-6/14

Spring is here and it's nice to take advantage of it. Much of this comes from my garden this week. It's so exciting to pick asparagus and strawberries at the same time as lettuce, chard, and spinach. Peas will be coming soon.
  • Sunday
    Baked chicken with asparagus
    Green salad
    Fresh strawberries
  • Monday
    American chop suey
    Green salad
  • Tuesday
    Calzones
    Green beans
  • Wednesday
    Chicken vegetable soup
  • Thursday
    Tuna macaroni salad
  • Friday
    Cream of broccoli soup
    Multi-grain rolls
  • Saturday
    Salad greens with strawberries, pralines, feta, and grapes

Saturday, May 31, 2008

Menus 6/1-6/7

  • Sunday
    Baked chicken in mushroom sauce
    Asparagus
    Whole wheat rolls
    Easy strawberry shortcake
  • Monday
    Chili verde
    Green salad
  • Tuesday
    Leftover baked chicken
    Three bean salad
  • Wednesday
    Leftover chili verde
    Green salad
  • Thursday
    Gypsy salad on chard and romaine
  • Friday
    Hot dogs in buns
    Baked beans
    Green salad
  • Saturday
    Apple pancakes
    Chicken sausages
    Fruit salad

Mushroom sauce: place 1/4 c olive oil in saucepan. Add 1/4 c flour and stir well. Add 1 can chicken broth and stir until smooth. Cook stirring continually over low heat until thick. Add 1/2 milk or cream, 1 4oz can mushroom pieces, chopped parsley (2Tbsp fresh or 2tsp dried). Serve over baked chicken.

Gypsy salad:
2 c diced turkey ham
2 c diced cheddar or other cheese
2 c diced dill pickles
2 c diced tomatoes
Mix all together with about 2 Tbsp prepared mustard and 1 Tbsp mayonnaise. Adjust the mustard and mayonnaise dressing to taste.

Easy strawberry shortcake: Mash 4 cups strawberries and mix with 1/2 c sugar. Serve over slices of Angel food cake.

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Menu plan Marcxh 23-29

  • Sunday
    Turkey ham
    Oven roasted potatoes
    Spinach casserole
    Brownies
  • Monday
    Fried leftover ham
    Mashed sweet potatoes
    Green beans
  • Tuesday
    Baked beans-beanwiches
    Green salad
  • Wednesday
    Favorite soup
    Sandwiches
  • Thursday
    Broiled shrimp kabobs
    Brown rice
  • Friday
    Broiled chicken breast
    Cabbage and apple cole slaw
  • Saturday
    Grilled tuna and apple sandwiches
    Green salad

Beanwiches: Toast English muffins. Top with mustard, then heated baked beans, then grated cheddar cheese. Place under broiler for about 5 minutes until cheese melts.

Shrimp kabobs: Use moderately large cooked shrimp. Place shrimp and desired vegetables such as tomatoes, mushrooms, pearl onions (I can't eat these), green peppers, zucchini or yellow squash chunks into bowl with a couple of tablespoons of canola oil, a couple of teaspoons of teriyaki sauce, a teaspoon of powdered garlic, 1/2 teaspoon of ginger and stir well. Thread on kabob skewers. Broil about 5 minutes.

Monday, March 17, 2008

Menu plan March 16-22

  • Sunday
    Baked fish
    Oven fried french fries
    Green beans
  • Monday
    Easy corned beef and cabbage
    Irish soda bread
  • Tuesday
    Quick pizza
  • Wednesday
    Macaroni and cheese
    Green salad
  • Thursday
    Easy vegetable soup
  • Friday
    Leftover macaroni and cheese
    Broccoli
  • Saturday
    Hot dogs
    Green salad

Easy corned beef and cabbage: Buy a chunk of prepared corned beef from your deli-about 1/4 pound per person. Chop potatoes and carrots, about 1/2 potato and 1 carrot per person, and boil until tender, about 20 minutes. Add finely chopped cabbage, (you can use prepared cold slaw mix) about 1/4 cup per person, and cook additional 10 minutes. During this 10 minutes, slice corned beef and heat in microwave.

Irish soda bread-there are lots of recipes, here's a good one http://www.landolakes.com/mealIdeas/ViewRecipe.cfm?RecipeID=9989

Easy vegetable soup: (for 4) To 16 oz can tomato sauce, add one can water in saucepan. Add 2 cups mixed frozen vegetables and 1 Tablespoon instant beef bullion. Bring to boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer about 5 minutes until veggies are tender.

Sunday, March 9, 2008

Menus March 9-15

  • Sunday
    Easy seafood 'newburg'
    Pastry shells
    Broccoli
    Molasses cookies
  • Monday
    Oven fried chicken
    Oven fried yam french fries
    Green salad
  • Tuesday
    Baked fish with lemons
    Peas
    Citrus fruit salad
  • Wednesday
    Left over fried chicken
    Green beans
    Carrots
  • Thursday
    Leftover fish
    Waldorf salad
  • Friday
    Hamburgers
  • Saturday
    Broiled cheese sandwiches
    Tomato soup

Easy seafood newburg: (Serve 4) Combine 1 can cream of shrimp soup, 1 cup sour cream, 8 oz cooked or canned seafood (clams, lobster, shrimp, crab, cooked fish) and heat through. Serve over rice, pastry shells, noodles.



Friday, February 8, 2008

Menu Planning February 10-16

  • Sunday
    Spaghetti
    Garlic bread
    Green salad
    Apple crisp
  • Monday
    Stir fried veggies and chicken
    Brown minute rice
  • Tuesday
    Leftover spaghetti
    Caesar salad
  • Wednesday
    Chicken stew
    Multi-grain rolls
  • Thursday
    Zucchini and tomato frittata (or omelet)
    Sourdough toast
  • Friday
    Leftover chicken stew
  • Saturday
    Cream of tomato soup
    Grilled shrimp with spinach salad

Sunday, February 3, 2008

Menu Planning February 3-9

  • Sunday
    Boneless pork chops baked in creamed corn
    Spinach
    Apple blueberry crisp
  • Monday
    Stir fried vegetables and pork
  • Tuesday
    Split pea soup
    Whole grain rolls
  • Wednesday
    Broiled fish fillets
    Broccoli
  • Thursday
    Left-over split pea soup and rolls
  • Friday
    Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato and Avocado sandwiches
    Tomato soup
  • Saturday
    Cream of mushroom soup
    Corned beef on rye sandwiches

Friday, January 25, 2008

Menus January 27-February 2

  • Sunday
    Stewed chicken
    Multi-grain bread
    Apples brulee
  • Monday
    Hot chicken salad
    Peas
  • Tuesday
    Winter soup
    Multi-grain bread
  • Wednesday
    Kielbasa
    Sauerkraut
  • Thursday
    Broccoli-cheddar soup
    Rolls
  • Friday
    Grilled tilapia
    Spinach
  • Saturday
    Pizza

Stewed chicken-allows you to make a fryer nice and juicy
Cut desired vegetables into chunks-potatoes, carrots, turnips, parsnips, rutabagas whatever you like. Place in slow cooker. Add 2 cups water. Rinse chicken and add to slow cooker. Mix sage, thyme, rosemary, turmeric and rub into chicken. (about 1 tsp each, more or less). Add salt and pepper. Cook on low about 6 hours. Carefully remove chicken (it will probably fall off the bone) and place on platter. Remove vegetables. Pour liquid into saucepan. Mix 2 Tbsp flour or cornstarch with 1/2 cup water and add to liquid. Bring to a boil to make a pan gravy.

Apples brulee: Coarsely chop 1/3 apple per person. Mix with 2 Tbsp vanilla yogurt per person. Add 1 Tbsp chopped walnuts per person and mix well. Divide between ramekins or brulee dishes. Sprinkle with brown sugar. Grill until sugar crystalizes or use brulee torch. Refrigerate until ready to serve if made ahead.

Bone stock: Take bones from chicken and return them to the slow cooker. Cover with water. Add a stalk of celery (and onion if you like it). Add 2 Tbsp vinegar. Cook on low for 12-24 hours. Carefully separate any meat from the bones and discard the bones and celery. Use as stock for the winter soup.

Winter soup: Add chicken broth to stock to make 12 c. Add 1 cinnamon stick, 4 peppercorns, 3 whole cloves to stock. Chop 4 potatoes and 1/2 head cabbage and add to stock. Simmer 1/2 hour. Add 28 oz can diced tomatoes and simmer additional 30 minutes. You can put all but tomatoes into slow cooker in the morning and add the tomatoes 30 min before dinner. Remove the spices and add 2 Tbsp vinegar.

Hot chicken salad: Use about 2c leftover chicken. If you don't have enough leftover, you can use canned. Chop 1 stalk celery and 1 green apple. Add about 2 Tbsp mayonnaise and 1 c shredded cheddar cheese. Place in casserole dish and microwave for about 8 min, until heated through and cheese melter or bake about 350 for about 35-45 min.

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Menus for January 20-26

  • Sunday
    Baked smothered chicken breasts
    Tortilla chips
    Refried beans

    Green salad
  • Monday
    Chicken enchilada casserole with leftover chicken
    Green salad
  • Tuesday
    Tomato soup
    Grilled cheese sandwiches
  • Wednesday
    Broccoli cheese soup
    Green salad
  • Thursday
    Chili with corn chips
    Green salad
  • Friday
    English muffin pizzas
  • Saturday
    Hamburgers

Baked smothered chicken breasts: 2 boneless chicken breasts per person
Cheddar cheese, jack cheese, cilantro, diced green chilies, diced jalapenos, 1 whole avocado per person-diced , diced tomatoes, chopped black olives, sour cream, salsa
Arrange chicken breasts in baking pan. Cover with shredded cheddar cheese and jack cheese mixed with cilantro, chilies and jalapenos. Bake 350 for 1 hour. Top with diced tomatoes, olives and avocado and return to oven for 10 minutes. Serve topped with salsa and sour cream.

Chicken enchilada casserole: Slice chicken breasts from smothered chicken into bite sized pieces. Mix chicken and toppings from smothered chicken with torn strips of tortilla-either flour or corn- and green enchilada sauce. Place in casserole dish and top with more shredded cheese, sour cream and salsa. Bake 350 for 45 minutes

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Menu planning January 13-19

  • Sunday
    Baked fish
    Glazed carrots
    Green beans almondine
    Pear crisp
  • Monday
    Chicken stew
    Rolls
  • Tuesday
    Baked beans
    Green salad
  • Wednesday
    Add veggies and noodles to the chicken stew and turn into chicken casserole
  • Thursday
    Beanwiches
  • Friday
    Vegetable soup
    Ham sandwiches
  • Saturday
    Grilled chicken salad

Beanwiches: Toast English muffins or hamburger buns. Pile with baked beans. Top with shredded cheddar cheese. Broil until beans heat through and cheese melts. If the beans are quite cold, warm them first. For those who like a little more 'bite', add a hearty mustard to the rolls before adding the beans.

Grilled chicken salad: Grill boneless chicken. Add to a plate of salad greens, tomatoes, olives, feta cheese, cucumbers (and onions if you like them). Drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette and olive oil.

Saturday, January 5, 2008

Menu January 6-12

  • Sunday
    Penne with tomato cream sauce and veggies
    Green salad
    Italian bread
    Chocolate pudding
  • Monday
    Vegetable soup
    Italian bread
  • Tuesday
    Leftover penne
    Green salad
  • Wednesday
    Chicken stew with dumplings
  • Thursday
    Leftover vegetable soup
  • Friday
    Leftover chicken stew
  • Saturday
    Grilled tuna sandwiches
    Cabbage apple slaw

Saturday, December 29, 2007

Menus December 29-January 5

  • Sunday
    Oven barbecued chicken
    Baked sweet potatoes
    Broccoli
    Pear cobbler
  • Monday
    Vegetable soup
    French bread
  • Tuesday
    Ham
    Black eyed peas
    Spinach
  • Wednesday
    Pasta with cheese sauce, vegetables, and ham
  • Thursday
    Bean soup with ham
    Rolls
  • Friday
    Leftover bean soup
    Green salad
  • Saturday
    Tomato soup
    Broiled ham sandwiches

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Menu plans Dec 16-22

  • Sunday
    Baked fish
    Baked potatoes
    Broccoli
    Pudding
  • Monday
    Homemade chili
    Cornbread
    Green salad
  • Tuesday
    Cream of tomato soup
    Broiled cheese sandwiches
    Vegetable sticks-carrots, celery, broccoli
  • Wednesday
    Leftover chili
  • Thursday
    Chicken soup
    French bread
    Green salad
  • Friday
    Broiled tuna sandwiches
    Green salad
  • Saturday
    Oven fried chicken
    Oven fried french fries
    Green salad



Saturday, December 8, 2007

Menus Dec 9-15

  • Sunday
    Tarragon chicken (make extra for Tuesday)
    Broccoli
    Brown rice
    Cranberry bread pudding with orange sauce
  • Monday
    Tuna casserole
    Green salad
  • Tuesday
    Hot chicken salad with leftover chicken
    Green beans
    Whole wheat rolls
  • Wednesday
    Leftover tuna casserole
    Green salad with pears and blue cheese
  • Thursday
    Split pea soup
    French bread
  • Friday
    Chili on Fritos topped with cheese
    Green salad
  • Saturday
    Leftover split pea soup

Saturday, December 1, 2007

Menu planning Dec 2-8

  • Sunday
    Roast chicken with potatoes and carrots
    Green salad
    Banana cream pie
  • Monday
    Cheesy potato soup
    Green salad
    French bread
  • Tuesday
    Chicken pot pie using leftover chicken and veggies from Sunday
  • Wednesday
    White bean and sausage soup
  • Thursday
    Oriental chicken salad
  • Friday
    Leftover soup
  • Saturday
    Tuna and rice casserole

White bean and sausage soup:
2 cans white northern beans, drained and rinsed
Smoked sausage, sliced into bite sized pieces
1 Quart broth
About 3 leaves of chard, chopped

Mix together beans, sausage and broth in slow cooker. Cook on low all day, about 8 hours. 30 minutes before serving, add chard.

Friday, November 23, 2007

Menu planning November 25-December 1

  • Sunday
    Roast chicken and root vegetables (make broth out of the carcase)
    Broccoli
    Apple pie
  • Monday
    Turkey vegetable soup using broth from last week's turkey
    French bread
  • Tuesday
    Chicken stew using Sunday's leftovers and broth, adding celery and peas
    Green salad
    Crackers
  • Wednesday
    Chili on brown rice topped with cheddar cheese
    Green salad
  • Thursday
    Sloppy Joes using leftover chili
    Fruit salad
  • Friday
    Macaroni and cheese
    Green beans
  • Saturday
    Pizza

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Delayed menus November 19-25

Things have been crazy, so this is somewhat delayed.
  • Sunday
    Salmon-make at least 2 extra servings
    Artichokes
    Potatoes au gratin
    Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies
  • Monday
    Salmon noodle casserole (like your favorite tuna casserole, but use Salmon)
    Green salad
  • Tuesday
    Hot and sour soup
  • Wednesday
    Quick tomato soup
    Grilled cheese sandwiches
  • Thursday (whatever your traditional dishes are)
    Turkey (make broth out of leftover bones) and gravy
    Roasted potatoes
    Mashed yams
    Green bean casserole
    Pumpkin pie
  • Friday
    Hot turkey sandwiches
    Leftover veggies
  • Saturday
    Turkey enchilada casserole
    Green salad