This weekend I made lasagna for a crowd and have a lot of leftovers to put in the freezer for later and also for leftovers this week. I addition, I have chicken and fish in my freezer that should be used up this week before all the specials come up for chicken and turkey for the holidays.
This is the time of year I end up stocking the freezer with turkey halves or quarters and ham slices. I have the meat department cut the low cost sale meats into serving sized for my family. Turkey quarters can be made into a meal for the week or weekend without too many leftovers to eat during the week. Also whole or half hams can be sliced into 1 inch steaks to freeze for quick weekday meals. My family loves ham steaks but paying over $3.99 per pound is not what I will pay. I will pay $.89-$1.09 per pound for my ham steaks.
Here is this week’s menu plan:
Monday-Lasagna
I am always amazed that people think lasagna take a lot of time to make. I made 2 large lasagnas this weekend in a little more than 20 minutes of hands on time. I put on a quick sauce with ground beef and ground pork (5 min). Then I mixed up ricotta cheese with 2 eggs, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper and Italian seasoning (2 min). I boiled water while making tea and put the no boil lasagna noodles to soak in the water. (5 min). When the sauce was done, I just layered sauce, noodles, cheese, sauce and repeated that 3 times per pan (10 min). Then just put them in the oven at 375 for 40 minutes. While they cooked, I took my shower and got ready for my guests. If I was not cooking for a crowd, I would have made two smaller lasagnas and put one in the freezer before cooking for a later date. Two meals done in less than 25 minutes of hands on work! That’s fast food!
Tuesday-Oven Fried Chicken Drumsticks with mashed potatoes and salad
My husband helped a friend with a machine he was having problems with last week. This friend has an enormous garden and he gave us salad greens, scallions, pears, parsley and cilantro. I used some of the lettuce this weekend with the lasagna but I have some left and will use it this week with dinners and lunches. Today I had a salad wrap for lunch (yum).
Wednesday-Salmon with rice and broccoli
Thursday-Chicken and Rice with some type of vegetable
My daughters love green beans from a can. I know they are not the healthiest way to eat green beans but at least they eat them! They will not eat them if they are frozen or fresh, so I will open and can for the green beans.
Friday-Pizza night
I will make linguica pizza and salad. My daughter does not like sauce on her pizza, so one of the pizzas will have no sauce and some veggies instead of linguica.
Have a great week!
Monday, October 31, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
Menu for Week of October 10th
This is coming out a little late because of the holiday weekend. Between going to college visits and everything else in our busy lives, I forgot to plan our menu. It is also our 24 anniversary week. So I need to plan a special meal on Tuesday. That means it may change, if my husband wants something different. So here goes for the week of October 10th
Monday—Spaghetti and Meatballs
My kids do not like my meatballs, so I buy Perdue premade turkey meatballs. I had a coupon and shop at a really inexpensive store, so to meatballs only cost me $2.24 per package. I will use only one with my regular sauce. We will probably throw in a salad to make a complete meal.
Tuesday—Salmon Filets with rice and green beans
Wednesday--Shepherd Pie
I usually just make this with ground beef, corn and mashed potatoes.
Thursday—Chicken Tenders with Lyonnais Potatoes and veggie
I usually just bread my tenders and oven fry them at 425 degrees for about 15-20 minutes. My potatoes, I put in a large skillet, layer thinly sliced potatoes and onions with salt, pepper and parsley. Add some butter and about ½ cup of water. Cover and simmer on low. You may need to turn every 10 minutes. Usually takes me about 20 minutes.
Friday-Leftover night
This is my free night.
Normally I only do menus for the weekdays because those are the busiest days for my family.
Enjoy and I hope it helps you.
Monday—Spaghetti and Meatballs
My kids do not like my meatballs, so I buy Perdue premade turkey meatballs. I had a coupon and shop at a really inexpensive store, so to meatballs only cost me $2.24 per package. I will use only one with my regular sauce. We will probably throw in a salad to make a complete meal.
Tuesday—Salmon Filets with rice and green beans
Wednesday--Shepherd Pie
I usually just make this with ground beef, corn and mashed potatoes.
Thursday—Chicken Tenders with Lyonnais Potatoes and veggie
I usually just bread my tenders and oven fry them at 425 degrees for about 15-20 minutes. My potatoes, I put in a large skillet, layer thinly sliced potatoes and onions with salt, pepper and parsley. Add some butter and about ½ cup of water. Cover and simmer on low. You may need to turn every 10 minutes. Usually takes me about 20 minutes.
Friday-Leftover night
This is my free night.
Normally I only do menus for the weekdays because those are the busiest days for my family.
Enjoy and I hope it helps you.
Monday, October 3, 2011
October 2nd Menu Plan
Week of October 2nd Menu
Monday—Clam Boil
My father-in-law brought me a basket of clams, so it’s time for a clam boil.
Soft-shell clams
1 can of beer
Goya sazon seasoning
Salt to taste
Onions (1 per person)
Linguica (1 per person
Breakfast sausage (1 per person
Potatoes (1 per person
Hot Dogs (1 per person
Clean clams. I soak them in salt water several hours. Meanwhile, put onions, linguica, sausage, and potatoes in a stockpot with beer and seasoning. Simmer until potatoes and onions are tender. Add hot dogs and clams. Steam until clams are open.
Tuesday-Annatto chicken Skillet
This is a new Pampered Chef recipe that I am trying. It looks really quick, easy and delicious!
The Pampered Chef ®
Annatto Chicken Skillet
Recipe
1 small onion
1 red bell pepper
4 ounces chorizo
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 cup uncooked long grain white rice
2 cloves garlic, pressed
1 can (14.5 ounces) chicken broth
1 can (15 ounces) pigeon peas, drained
1 packet (.18 ounce) annatto seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1. Finely chop onion and bell pepper using Food Chopper; place in Prep Bowl. Cut chorizo into 1-inch pieces and chicken into 1 1/2-inch pieces using Utility Knife.
2. Add chorizo to (10-in.) Skillet; cook over medium-high heat 3-4 minutes or until browned, stirring frequently with Nylon Spoon. Remove chorizo from Skillet. Place chorizo in Classic Batter Bowl. Cook chicken in same Skillet 2-3 minutes or until browned. Remove chicken from Skillet; place in batter bowl with chorizo and set aside.
3. In same Skillet, combine onion, bell pepper, rice and garlic pressed with Garlic Press. Cook 3-4 minutes over medium-high heat or until onion begins to soften. Add broth, pigeon peas, seasoning packet and salt; bring to a boil. Add chorizo and chicken to Skillet; cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer 15-20 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and chicken and chorizo are cooked through. Remove from heat; let stand, covered, 5 minutes. Fluff rice with fork and serve.
Yield: 6 servings
Nutrients per serving: Calories 430, Total Fat 9 g, Saturated Fat 3 g, Cholesterol 80 mg, Carbohydrate 55 g, Protein 31 g, Sodium 760 mg, Fiber 8 g
Cook's Tip: A green bell pepper can be substituted for the red bell pepper, if desired.
If you can't find boneless, skinless chicken thighs, purchase bone-in, skin-on thighs and remove bones and skin using Utility Knife.
Annatto, also known as achiote, is available in different forms, such as paste, pods or ground. It can be found in the Latin section of your grocery store. Use according to package directions.
© 2009 The Pampered Chef used under license.
Wednesday-Pasta and Meat Sauce
I did not get to make this last week because of all the leftovers I had. So I will make this with a salad.
Thursday-Lemon Herb Chicken Ring
I have more turkey leftover, so out from the freezer this will come. This is one of my favorite recipes.
Ingredients
2 cups chopped chicken or turkey
1 cup mozzarella, shredded
1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
2 tbsp parsley, fresh, chopped
1 tsp lemon peel
2 cloves garlic
5 tsp mayonnaise
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
Directions
1. *Preheat oven to 375
2. *Chop chicken, dice bell pepper, chop parsley, zest lemon
3. *Combine above with minced garlic, mozzarella cheese, mayo, and 1 tsp. Italian seasoning mix
4. *Reserve 2 Tbsp. parmesan cheese, add remaining
5. *Unroll crescent rolls, arrange triangles, slightly overlapping, in a circle to look like a sun.
6. *Roll wide ends of dough towards the center to make a 5" opening
7. *Spoon meat mixture evenly over dough in continuous circle
8. *Bring points of triangles over meat mixture and to the center of the ring; pinch to hold in place
9. *Sprinkle remaining parmesan over top
10. *Bake 28-30 minutes until golden brown
Friday-Linguica Calzones with Salad (or pizza)
I have some ground linguica and pizza dough, So I think I will make the calzone. Very easy.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Roll out pizza dough. Sprinkle with about 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. On top of cheese, sprinkle ground linguica. Roll up calzone, starting with the long end. Pinch ends. Put on the Rectangle Stone (on sale this month!). Bruch with a beaten egg. Bake for about 20 minutes until golden.
Monday—Clam Boil
My father-in-law brought me a basket of clams, so it’s time for a clam boil.
Soft-shell clams
1 can of beer
Goya sazon seasoning
Salt to taste
Onions (1 per person)
Linguica (1 per person
Breakfast sausage (1 per person
Potatoes (1 per person
Hot Dogs (1 per person
Clean clams. I soak them in salt water several hours. Meanwhile, put onions, linguica, sausage, and potatoes in a stockpot with beer and seasoning. Simmer until potatoes and onions are tender. Add hot dogs and clams. Steam until clams are open.
Tuesday-Annatto chicken Skillet
This is a new Pampered Chef recipe that I am trying. It looks really quick, easy and delicious!
The Pampered Chef ®
Annatto Chicken Skillet
Recipe
1 small onion
1 red bell pepper
4 ounces chorizo
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 cup uncooked long grain white rice
2 cloves garlic, pressed
1 can (14.5 ounces) chicken broth
1 can (15 ounces) pigeon peas, drained
1 packet (.18 ounce) annatto seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1. Finely chop onion and bell pepper using Food Chopper; place in Prep Bowl. Cut chorizo into 1-inch pieces and chicken into 1 1/2-inch pieces using Utility Knife.
2. Add chorizo to (10-in.) Skillet; cook over medium-high heat 3-4 minutes or until browned, stirring frequently with Nylon Spoon. Remove chorizo from Skillet. Place chorizo in Classic Batter Bowl. Cook chicken in same Skillet 2-3 minutes or until browned. Remove chicken from Skillet; place in batter bowl with chorizo and set aside.
3. In same Skillet, combine onion, bell pepper, rice and garlic pressed with Garlic Press. Cook 3-4 minutes over medium-high heat or until onion begins to soften. Add broth, pigeon peas, seasoning packet and salt; bring to a boil. Add chorizo and chicken to Skillet; cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer 15-20 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and chicken and chorizo are cooked through. Remove from heat; let stand, covered, 5 minutes. Fluff rice with fork and serve.
Yield: 6 servings
Nutrients per serving: Calories 430, Total Fat 9 g, Saturated Fat 3 g, Cholesterol 80 mg, Carbohydrate 55 g, Protein 31 g, Sodium 760 mg, Fiber 8 g
Cook's Tip: A green bell pepper can be substituted for the red bell pepper, if desired.
If you can't find boneless, skinless chicken thighs, purchase bone-in, skin-on thighs and remove bones and skin using Utility Knife.
Annatto, also known as achiote, is available in different forms, such as paste, pods or ground. It can be found in the Latin section of your grocery store. Use according to package directions.
© 2009 The Pampered Chef used under license.
Wednesday-Pasta and Meat Sauce
I did not get to make this last week because of all the leftovers I had. So I will make this with a salad.
Thursday-Lemon Herb Chicken Ring
I have more turkey leftover, so out from the freezer this will come. This is one of my favorite recipes.
Ingredients
2 cups chopped chicken or turkey
1 cup mozzarella, shredded
1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
2 tbsp parsley, fresh, chopped
1 tsp lemon peel
2 cloves garlic
5 tsp mayonnaise
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
Directions
1. *Preheat oven to 375
2. *Chop chicken, dice bell pepper, chop parsley, zest lemon
3. *Combine above with minced garlic, mozzarella cheese, mayo, and 1 tsp. Italian seasoning mix
4. *Reserve 2 Tbsp. parmesan cheese, add remaining
5. *Unroll crescent rolls, arrange triangles, slightly overlapping, in a circle to look like a sun.
6. *Roll wide ends of dough towards the center to make a 5" opening
7. *Spoon meat mixture evenly over dough in continuous circle
8. *Bring points of triangles over meat mixture and to the center of the ring; pinch to hold in place
9. *Sprinkle remaining parmesan over top
10. *Bake 28-30 minutes until golden brown
Friday-Linguica Calzones with Salad (or pizza)
I have some ground linguica and pizza dough, So I think I will make the calzone. Very easy.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Roll out pizza dough. Sprinkle with about 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. On top of cheese, sprinkle ground linguica. Roll up calzone, starting with the long end. Pinch ends. Put on the Rectangle Stone (on sale this month!). Bruch with a beaten egg. Bake for about 20 minutes until golden.
Monday, September 26, 2011
September 26th Weekly Menu Plan
I decided to start a new segment on my blog and website. At my shows, I find so many people have a tough time deciding what's for dinner. So, I thought I would help by posting what I will be cooking this week for dinner. This guide may help you plan your menu so you don't have that rushed feeling about what's for dinner at 5:00 pm each night. So here is what I am cooking this week:
Monday: Chicken and Rice with Green Beans
Brown 1 lb of chicken (I use drumsticks or thighs) and one diced onion in olive oil in the 12" Skillet. Add 1 cup of rice. Stir to toast a few minutes. Add 2 cups of water, 2 cloves of pressed garlic, Goya sazon seasoning. Simmer for 25 minutes. Test chicken to make sure it is done. Serve with whichever vegetable your family enjoys.
Tuesday: Roast Turkey Quarter with Potatoes and Vegetables
I cook my Turkey or Chicken with sliced potatoes, carrots and quartered onions. To season, I use our Italian Seasoning, Salt and Pepper. Roast at 350 until done (usually in about 1 1/2 hours). This take a little long, so if you have our Deep Covered Baker, you want put a whole chicken in the microwave, uncovered for 30 minutes. Take out of the microwave and cover. Wait 10 minutes and Enjoy.
Wednesday: Pasta and Meat Sauce
Saute ground beef and add it to your favorite tomato sauce. Boil your pasta. Add a salad and dinner is done.
Thursday, Chicken Pot Pie
Take the leftover chicken (or turkey) with the extra potatoes and carrots and mix it with a white sauce (butter, flour and milk) or a can of Cream of Chicken Soup. Spoon into our Deep Dish Baker or Deep Covered Baker. Top with homemade or Pillsbury biscuits. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes until bis cuts are brown and chicken mixture is bubbly.
Friday: Leftovers
Just take any of the food that you have leftover from the previous meals and let your family choose what they want. Easy night!
Of course, if you are busy on Tuesday night, you may want to make the pasta which is really fast and easy. If you are not busy, you can go ahead and roast the chicken. This is just my menu plan which I hope will help you make your meal time prep less hectic. Let me know if you have any questions.
Monday: Chicken and Rice with Green Beans
Brown 1 lb of chicken (I use drumsticks or thighs) and one diced onion in olive oil in the 12" Skillet. Add 1 cup of rice. Stir to toast a few minutes. Add 2 cups of water, 2 cloves of pressed garlic, Goya sazon seasoning. Simmer for 25 minutes. Test chicken to make sure it is done. Serve with whichever vegetable your family enjoys.
Tuesday: Roast Turkey Quarter with Potatoes and Vegetables
I cook my Turkey or Chicken with sliced potatoes, carrots and quartered onions. To season, I use our Italian Seasoning, Salt and Pepper. Roast at 350 until done (usually in about 1 1/2 hours). This take a little long, so if you have our Deep Covered Baker, you want put a whole chicken in the microwave, uncovered for 30 minutes. Take out of the microwave and cover. Wait 10 minutes and Enjoy.
Wednesday: Pasta and Meat Sauce
Saute ground beef and add it to your favorite tomato sauce. Boil your pasta. Add a salad and dinner is done.
Thursday, Chicken Pot Pie
Take the leftover chicken (or turkey) with the extra potatoes and carrots and mix it with a white sauce (butter, flour and milk) or a can of Cream of Chicken Soup. Spoon into our Deep Dish Baker or Deep Covered Baker. Top with homemade or Pillsbury biscuits. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes until bis cuts are brown and chicken mixture is bubbly.
Friday: Leftovers
Just take any of the food that you have leftover from the previous meals and let your family choose what they want. Easy night!
Of course, if you are busy on Tuesday night, you may want to make the pasta which is really fast and easy. If you are not busy, you can go ahead and roast the chicken. This is just my menu plan which I hope will help you make your meal time prep less hectic. Let me know if you have any questions.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Corn Chowder
Just wanted to post this quick and easy recipe for Corn Chowder. I made it at the Council on Aging in January and everyone loved it. Since this winter has been so cold, I thought this would be a great one to share. I hope you enjoy it!
Corn Chowder
4 slices of bacon
1 small onion
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons flour
2 cans of chicken stock
1 qt of half and half or milk (milk for lighter version)
1 can cream style corn
1 can corn
2 cubed and boiled potatoes
Salt and pepper to taste
Cube and boil the potatoes until tender. In a separate pan, brown bacon and onion. Melt butter and add flour. Cook until flour absorbed into the butter and bacon grease. Add chicken stock and both cans of corn. Bring to a boil and until thickened. Add half and half and reduce temperature to low. Heat to hot without boiling. Add salt and pepper to taste.
You can adjust the butter and flour to suit how thick you want the chowder and your can add additional corn, either canned, frozen or fresh.
Corn Chowder
4 slices of bacon
1 small onion
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons flour
2 cans of chicken stock
1 qt of half and half or milk (milk for lighter version)
1 can cream style corn
1 can corn
2 cubed and boiled potatoes
Salt and pepper to taste
Cube and boil the potatoes until tender. In a separate pan, brown bacon and onion. Melt butter and add flour. Cook until flour absorbed into the butter and bacon grease. Add chicken stock and both cans of corn. Bring to a boil and until thickened. Add half and half and reduce temperature to low. Heat to hot without boiling. Add salt and pepper to taste.
You can adjust the butter and flour to suit how thick you want the chowder and your can add additional corn, either canned, frozen or fresh.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Chicken Muffaletta Sandwiches
It has been quite a long time since I wrote anything in this blog. Sorry for my absence. I made a new recipe at the Senior Center this month and I thought I would share it with you. It was a huge hit! I hope you enjoy it as much as the seniors.
Chicken Muffaletta Sandwiches
4 boneless skinless chicken breast
salt and pepper
1 can of black olives
1 jar of green olives with pimentos
2 tbs chopped fresh parsley
Splash of Olive Oil
Splash of Balsamic Vinegar
2 minced garlic cloves
4-8 sandwich rolls (depending upon how big your sandwiches will be)
Heat a pan on medium high until hot. Season chicken breast with salt and pepper. Sear chicken in hot pan for 5 minutes each side. Put chicken in a pre-heated 350 degree oven for 20 minutes or until chicken is done.
Meanwhile, chop black and green olives and put into a bowl with parsley, olive oil, balsamic vinegar and minced garlic. Set aside until ready to assemble the sandwiches.
To assemble, slice chicken into thin strips and put into rolls. Top the chicken with the olive salad.
If you are not enjoying the sandwiches right away, wrap each sandwich in plastic wrap and refrigerate. The flavors will blend and will be fabulous when you are ready to eat or you can enjoy these sandwiches hot.
I hope you enjoy them!
Chicken Muffaletta Sandwiches
4 boneless skinless chicken breast
salt and pepper
1 can of black olives
1 jar of green olives with pimentos
2 tbs chopped fresh parsley
Splash of Olive Oil
Splash of Balsamic Vinegar
2 minced garlic cloves
4-8 sandwich rolls (depending upon how big your sandwiches will be)
Heat a pan on medium high until hot. Season chicken breast with salt and pepper. Sear chicken in hot pan for 5 minutes each side. Put chicken in a pre-heated 350 degree oven for 20 minutes or until chicken is done.
Meanwhile, chop black and green olives and put into a bowl with parsley, olive oil, balsamic vinegar and minced garlic. Set aside until ready to assemble the sandwiches.
To assemble, slice chicken into thin strips and put into rolls. Top the chicken with the olive salad.
If you are not enjoying the sandwiches right away, wrap each sandwich in plastic wrap and refrigerate. The flavors will blend and will be fabulous when you are ready to eat or you can enjoy these sandwiches hot.
I hope you enjoy them!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Beef Stew--My Family is SO Happy!
People who are very close to me know that I have not eaten or cooked beef in about 8 years due to personal reasons. My family was never really happy about this decision because they love beef and I really am the only one who cooks in my household.
After much reflection, for Valentine's Day, I made a steak for my family. I bought all organic, no animal by products or antibiotics beef. After all this time of not eating or cooking beef, it was nice to have this quick meal back in my menu. Let's face it, a steak takes no time to cook and the side dishes, (baked potatoes in the microwave then finished in the toaster oven and stir fried asparagus) cook up really fast.
I also bought a package of stew beef from the same producer. Today I am in the process of cooking up a batch of Beef Stew and it really is coming out great!
Beef Stew
1 pound cubed beef
1 large onion, chopped
8 ounces of sliced mushrooms
3 carrots, peeled and sliced
1 celery stock, finely chopped
2 bay leaves
3 cloves of crushed or minced garlic
3/4 cup red wine
1 box of stock (I used chicken)
5 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
flour to dust raw beef
Olive oil
1 box frozen butternut squash
Sea salt and fresh pepper to taste.
Heat pan and add oil. Dust beef with flour and brown meat in pan. Once first side is seared, stir and add onion, mushrooms, carrots, celery and garlic. Saute for about 4-5 minutes. Add wine to deglaze pan. Add bay leaves, stock and some water. Simmer for about 1 1/2 hours. Add butternut squash and potatoes. Simmer for about 30 more minutes. If you want the stew a little thicker, mix about 2 tbs flour with about 1/2 cup of cold water. Mix until there are no lumps and add it to the stew to thicken. Don't forget to take out the bay leaves to serve.
I hope you enjoy this. So far, mine tastes great!
After much reflection, for Valentine's Day, I made a steak for my family. I bought all organic, no animal by products or antibiotics beef. After all this time of not eating or cooking beef, it was nice to have this quick meal back in my menu. Let's face it, a steak takes no time to cook and the side dishes, (baked potatoes in the microwave then finished in the toaster oven and stir fried asparagus) cook up really fast.
I also bought a package of stew beef from the same producer. Today I am in the process of cooking up a batch of Beef Stew and it really is coming out great!
Beef Stew
1 pound cubed beef
1 large onion, chopped
8 ounces of sliced mushrooms
3 carrots, peeled and sliced
1 celery stock, finely chopped
2 bay leaves
3 cloves of crushed or minced garlic
3/4 cup red wine
1 box of stock (I used chicken)
5 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
flour to dust raw beef
Olive oil
1 box frozen butternut squash
Sea salt and fresh pepper to taste.
Heat pan and add oil. Dust beef with flour and brown meat in pan. Once first side is seared, stir and add onion, mushrooms, carrots, celery and garlic. Saute for about 4-5 minutes. Add wine to deglaze pan. Add bay leaves, stock and some water. Simmer for about 1 1/2 hours. Add butternut squash and potatoes. Simmer for about 30 more minutes. If you want the stew a little thicker, mix about 2 tbs flour with about 1/2 cup of cold water. Mix until there are no lumps and add it to the stew to thicken. Don't forget to take out the bay leaves to serve.
I hope you enjoy this. So far, mine tastes great!
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