Category Archives: menu plan Monday

Menu deja vu

Menu Plan Monday logoAfter four days of stomach viruses last week, it looks like we might be getting hit with colds this week. And Pete’s doing some serious, cranky-inducing teething. Oh boy!

Because we were all sick last week, we didn’t eat many of the meals we’d planned. So they’re making their appearances this week. I hope.

Monday: Pizza

Tuesday: Moe’s
It’s my birthday! Moe’s sent me a coupon for a free burrito and it’s free-kids-meal night. Thanks, Moe!

Wednesday: Sesame chicken with soba noodles

Thursday: Chimichangas

Friday: Pizza
It’s Pete’s first birthday! But his party isn’t until Saturday. We’ll probably still let him eat dinner, though.

I had fun with this week's menu

Menu Plan Monday logoBecause I make my menu plans on Saturday, I don’t generally post the weekend’s meals here. Rest assured, though, that we do eat on the weekends. (Boy, do we eat on the weekends.) Yesterday, for example, we tried a new recipe that I really liked. So much so that I thought I’d share it with you.

Sunday: Double Chicken Dumpling Stoup
Something about Rachael Ray’s manner bugs me, so I don’t watch her show(s). But I’ve yet to try one of her recipes that I don’t like. This one is no exception. You’ll find a slightly altered version of Ray’s recipe at the bottom of this post.

Monday: Polynesian pulled pork sandwiches
Mondays have become our busiest night, so I’m trying to use the slow cooker as much as possible. This is a new recipe for us. It’s from a Sandra Lee slow cooker book.. I don’t think I’ve tried any of her recipes before, so I’m hoping it’s decent.

Tuesday: Spaghetti

Wednesday: Sesame chicken strips with soba noodles
Several years ago, the person who drew my name in the Christmas gift exchange at work gave me a “Minute Meals” cookbook. I haven’t made many dishes from it, but it was still the most thought anyone had ever put into an at-work Christmas gift for me. This recipe comes from that book.

Thursday: Chimichangas
The filling is in the freezer. Hooray for the freezer!

Friday: Pepperoni pizza

Rachael Ray’s Double Chicken Dumpling Stoup
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO)
2 ribs celery from the heart, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 1/2 cups shredded carrot
1 fresh bay leaf
Salt and black pepper pepper
8 or 9 cups chicken broth
1 pound ground chicken
1 egg
1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs (a couple of generous handfuls)
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
One 1-pound package gnocchi
1 cup frozen peas
Crusty bread, for dunking

In a soup pot, heat olive oil, 2 turns of the pan, over medium-high heat. Add the celery, onions, carrots and bay leaf, season with salt and pepper and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in the broth, cover the pot and bring to a boil.

Meanwhile, in a bowl, season the chicken with salt and pepper. Stir in the egg, bread crumbs, cheese and garlic. Roll the mixture into walnut-sized meatballs (you’ll have about 40) and add to the stoup. Simmer for about 10 minutes while you wash up. Add the gnocchi to the stoup and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the peas and parsley and cook for 2 minutes. Remove the stoup from the heat, discard the bay leaf and let cool for 5 minutes. Serve with the bread.

Three days of the dinner

Menu Plan Monday logoI got a little carried away with my menu planning this weekend and ended up with nearly four weeks’ worth of meals. This is a good thing; it means I’ll have to do very little thinking for the next few weeks. Maybe.

This week turned pretty busy all of the sudden, so the menu is almost entirely different from my original plan. Hopefully I’ll be able to stick to the rest of the four-week plan a little better.

Monday: Spaghetti
I’d intended to have something other than spaghetti every now and then for our weekly pasta night, but so far that hasn’t panned out.

Tuesday: Fish stick po’ boys.
Yes, again. I bought a gigantic bag of fish sticks, and we’re trying to shop as little as possible this week.

Wednesday: Curried coconut chicken
Our friend Don’s birthday is this week. He loves spicy foods, so we’re having this in his honor. Plus, he’ll be over for dinner. So I thought I’d make something other than fish sticks for him.

Thursday: Dining with the in-laws

Friday: Date night
This is a rare occasion these days. I scored some free tickets to a play, though, so we’re going out. We might even have dinner at someplace other than Sonic. I’m excited about it. Even if we do end up at Sonic.