Menu Plan February 4 - 9 2016

February 4 - Crockpot Chili http://lovetocookagain.blogspot.com/2016/02/crockpot-chili.html
This is our family's favorite chili recipe. Enjoy!

February 5 - Avocado Tuna Melts/salad/pasta salad
This is a new recipe. I will let you know how it is. 

February 6 - Date night! Pizza for the kids.

February 7 - Taco Salad

February 8 - One Pot Lemon and Herb Chicken/Rice/Green Beans
Another new recipe. Curious how this one will taste. 

February 9 - Salmon with Avocado Salsa http://www.thecookierookie.com/salmon-with-avocado//Cous Cous/Broccoli
I love this salmon recipe. It's so easy and good for you. 

Freezing Cookie Dough

Most of the time when I want to make cookies for the kids, I really do not need 5 dozen cookies sitting around our house. What I have done is prepare the cookie dough, bake a dozen and then freeze the rest. Cover a cookie sheet with wax paper, scoop your cookie dough and place on the sheet, freeze for about 2-3 hours. Remove from the freezer, place in a container and put back in the freezer. This is great for the next time you need cookies. All you have to do is take out of the freezer and pop in the oven. I will say let the dough sit out for a little bit before putting in the oven. Enjoy. Cookie recipe below.

Chocolate Chip Cookies - yields 4 dozen

Ingredients:

1 cup shortening

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

2 cups flour

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

12 oz. bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375.

Cream shortening, sugar, brown sugar, egg and vanilla until light and fluffy.

Sift dry ingredients.

Stir in dry ingredients into the other mixture and blend well.

Drop the dough 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. 

Bake for 10-12 minutes. 

Crockpot Chili

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lbs. ground beef

1 large onion, chopped

1 can of kidney beans, drained

1 can of chili beans, drained

1 pint of diced tomatoes

1/2 tsp. oregano

dash of paprika

2 -8 oz cans of tomato sauce

1 garlic clove, minced

1 Tbsp. chili powder

1 1/4 tsp. salt

1 bay leaf

Directions:

Brown the ground beef. Drain. Sauté the onions. Add ground beef, onions and rest of the ingredients and cook in the crockpot for 6-8 hours. I usually prepare this the night before and then cook in the morning. I think it tastes better after sitting for awhile. Also, I usually double this recipe. Serve with cheese, sour cream and tortilla chips. 

A Week of Lunches

Okay this is not a post to flaunt how I prepare our weekly lunches. Everyone has their own way of doing things. A few of you have requested a post on how I make a week of lunches. Sunday is my day to make lunches for the whole entire week. This actually only takes me the max, an hour and half. Not too bad when you don't have to make lunches every. single. day. Also, this helps us to eat and snack healthy throughout the week. If I don't prepare I will go for unhealthy snacks or lunches. I will do my best to post our weekly lunch. 

The Kids Lunch

• Mini chocolate chip muffins http://lovetocookagain.blogspot.com/2012/08/chocolate-chip-muffins.html  Our kids love this recipe. 
• Carrots
• Yogurt

Our Lunch

I put a package of chicken in the crockpot and pour any marinade over it. Cook between 6-8 hours. Take out and cool. 

Lunch:

• Chicken and sautéed vegetables. This week I did peppers, zucchini, squash and onions.
• Oranges
• Carrots
• Trail mix (for Jeremy)

Snack:

• Apples and peanut butter. I divide peanut butter into separate containers.
• Zone Perfect bars. 

Breakfast:

Betty Crocker's Banana Bread. http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/banana-bread/51427396-6764-4b0a-a73a-78c683c703d2

The kids love to have some kind of breakfast bread or muffins for breakfast.

The key to this bread is immediately wrap it in foil when it comes out of the oven and place in the freezer. It will make the bread really moist. Also, we love throwing in a package of chocolate chips. 

Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken

This is a very simple and yummy crockpot recipe. It only requires 3 ingredients!!! So easy.


Ingredients:
4-6 chicken breasts
1 can of pineapple chunks, drained
1 bottle of Sweet Pineapple. I found this at Target.

Directions:
Spray the crockpot with cooking spray. Place chicken in crockpot. Pour pineapple and Sweet Pineapple over chicken. Cook for 6-8 hours. The last hour take out chicken and shred. Place back in the crockpot for the chicken to absorb the juices.

Serve over rice.

Panera Broccoli and Cheese Soup (The Girl Who Ate Everything)

Recipe was adapted from The Girl Who Ate Everything.

This meal was a hit with our family! Thanks Aimee for the recipe. We will definitely make this again. I actually doubled this recipe and had leftovers for lunch. Please comment and let me know what you think.

Ingredients

1 2 lb fresh broccoli (about 3 cups), fresh or frozen. I used frozen.

1 cup carrot

1/2 onion, medium

2 cups chicken stock

1/4 cup flour

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1 salt and pepper

1 tsp garlic powder

5 tbsp butter

8 oz cheddar cheese, grated sharp

2 cups half-and-half cream. I used 2% milk. Less fat.

Instructions

Saute onion in 1 tablespooon of butter. Set aside.

Cook ¼ melted butter and flour and whisk over medium heat for about 2-3 minutes. Stir constantly and add half and half or milk.

Add the chicken stock and simmer for about 10 minutes.

Add the broccoli, carrots and onions. Cook over low heat for 20-25 minutes.

Add salt, pepper and garlic powder. You can leave the soup chunky or blend about 1 cup of the soup and stir it in for a smoother soup. Return to low heat and add the cheese. Stir in nutmeg.

Serve with crusty bread. 

1/25/16 - 2/1/16 Menu Plan

                                                

Well some of the recipes from my last menu plan were never made. We received some ice and snow, so of course I had to make soup. At least for two meals. :) 
For some of the recipes I will add the link. Most of the recipes I have made and we love them. The broccoli and cheese soup is new.

Monday - Crock pot Hawaiian chicken/broccoli/rice
http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2011/06/crock-pot-hawaiian-bbq-chicken.html
This recipe is so easy. It only requires 3 ingredients!

Tuesday - Spaghetti squash with meat sauce/bread/salad

Wednesday - Broccoli and cheddar soup/baguette
http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2015/09/panera-broccoli-cheese-soup.html
I haven't made this one yet. I am going to substitute the half and half for 2% milk. Less fat. I will use frozen broccoli.

Thursday - Hudson's tilapia/cous cous/asparagus

Friday - Homemade pizza

Saturday - Burgers with Rachel Ray's Hot Mess sauce/sweet potato fries
http://www.rachaelraymag.com/recipe/the-hot-mess-burger/


Sunday - Stuffed shells/salad/bread

Monday - Crock pot cranberry pork roast/green beans/rice
http://newleafwellness.biz/2012/11/15/slow-cooker-cranberry-pork-roast/
I double this sauce recipe.
Another easy crock pot meal. Like I said before, I will have at least two crock pot meals a week.

Let me know if you try any of the recipes. I would love your feedback.