Dinner this week.

Wham, bam, thank you ma'am. It's going to be that sort of week. So what business do I have planning homemade, comfort-food type meals? 

Absolutely none.   

But I never let silly realities like my schedule dictate my appetite. This is what I need this week. Amidst the craziness, I need good, warm meals. I need to slow down and allow time for the beef to braise.

Some people meditate. 

I cook. 

And so despite my time constraints, I am determined to make this work.  I have the grocery list to prove it and need to finalize this post so I can dash to the store and get started. 

Literally. Right. Now.

1.  Chicken Pot Pie - Talk about comfort food!  I plan to make these as individual pies with the biscuit topping. I'll likely modify the recipe a bit but this recipe is my inspiration. 

2.  Beef Stew - I have my own beef stew recipe I adore. Mine, however, is filled with vegetables, and if there is anything my duo dislikes, it's anything filled with vegetables. And so I'm going to try this version with only beef, carrots, and potatoes. What's not to like?!

3. Spaghetti and Meatballs - This is a staple at our house {I make batches of meatballs, freeze them, and pull them out as needed}, but I'm trying a new recipe. I've tried many, many meatball recipes over the years. I am never displeased, but am still searching for . . . the one.

4. Chicken Noodle Soup - This may well be my family's favorite meal. Mine too. This will be it's highly-anticipated debut this season.

If it's chilly here this week I assume the rest of the country is absolutely freezing. Let me know your family's favorite cold-weather comfort food? 

Dinner this Week.

It is a short dinner-at-home week for us with Grandma Julie's birthday celebration dinner and Halloween. No, I do not plan to allow my kids to eat only candy for Halloween dinner, but I have yet to plan our annual fête. I realize that is this week, and thus, given my very organized method of planning all week should be included herein. Sadly, though, I cannot yet wrap my head around the utter madness that is Halloween at our house. I have at least three full days of procrastination left and plan to utilize them fully.

But here's what's on tap for the rest of the week: 

photos via Pinterest

Parmesan Crusted Chicken - This is a new chicken preparation method for me, but I do something similar with Tilapia from time to time so I think the kids will enjoy it. And besides, it looks super easy.

Lasagna Baked Ziti - I have made this numerous times and everyone {save Little Miss Thang who hates all red sauce} loves it. Pleasing everyone in my family is a feat I rarely accomplish. Little Miss Thang will eat all the components of this recipe sans red sauce. And I adore that little girl just enough to deconstruct as needed. 

Cider-Braised Pork Chops - This will also be a new recipe for me but it looks both delectably fall-ish and weeknight dinner simple-ish. Win-win. 

So what do you have in store for your family this week? 

Dinner this week.

Last week was quite a successful dinner week for me. I shopped once and cooked every meal I planned. This is noteworthy, folks, as I generally shop a few times a week and still do not manage to properly plan meals. My organized friends are chuckling because they have always utilized this fancy little trick. The rest of you, who like me do not fall neatly into the "organized" column, revel in these little successes.  

Fingers-crossed that I'm turning over a new leaf for good! 

This is a short week for our family as we prepare to travel for a gymnastics meet/meet the in-laws this weekend. I will nourish us as well as possible before we spend the weekend eating {and drinking} poolside.  Yes, for those of you not in Texas, it is still possible to eat poolside. We do not consider this a plus, but take advantage nonetheless.

Until then, we will enjoy this mild cold front and a few warm meals. 

Last night I made the Classic Ragu Bolognese {bottom} and let me tell you:  It was absolutely amazing. Maybe not everyone gets quite as excited about a bolognese, but I love nothing more than a dish that requires hours of simmering {I swear my house still smells amazing} so the flavor meld and intensify. I also recognize that not everyone is home from 4pm-7pm to allow this magic to occur. If that is the case, make a double batch on a Sunday afternoon and freeze half. You will be so happy you did. 

Tonight I am trying Nigel Slater's Coq au Riesling {right}. It too looks amazing {cream + wine + pancetta + my shoe = yum!} but can be whipped together easily between homework, gymnastics, and tennis, making it a great weeknight meal contender. 

My final meal of the week is one of my kids' favorites: Pasta with Sausage. This is a weeknight standby in our house because (1) the kids love it, and (2) I can easily stock the ingredients. Yes, you will see it again soon. I have to balance all the new dishes with our tried and true. 

So, what's on the menu for your family this week?  Do you cook new meals regularly or stick to the tried and true? Share a link to your favorite recipe so I can try it next week! 

Dinner this week.

I do indeed recognize that it is strange, or startling, or perhaps, even jolting for me to casually show up here in this little space of mine and suggest a menu for the week. I had no intentions of reincarnating this blog or this blog series. 

Truth be told, I'm feeling a touch of guilt for feeding my kids pasta three nights this week {hubs is in trial and not dining with us}. As if that weren't enough, one of my besties, J, said she missed this feature. Well, you see, J's babes are my God children, and thus, I take it as a moral imperative to ensure she does not fall into my pasta-is-so-easy-and-quick rut. Our children deserve better.

So, yes, I'm back on my meal-planning bonanza and I'm taking you all {or perhaps, just J} along with me.  Like it or not!   

So here's my week at a glance: 

Friday night - Out-to-dinner night {despite the fact that so was Thursday - this single mom gig is rough duty}.

Saturday night - Grilled Balsamic Flank Steak. 

The hubs can grill. He must take a night off eventually. And I'm pretty sure grilling is cathartic. Right?! I'll serve this with roasted or grilled veggies.  

Sunday night - Red Wine-Braised Short Ribs. 

We have a cold front coming through and this will be a glorious day to have something warm simmering on the stove making the house smell incredible. Yes, it does take all day to make, but that's what Sunday's are for.  Make extra.  The leftovers are divine. Serve with a side salad and crusty bread. 

Monday night - Easy White Chicken Chili. 

I'm hoping the air is still brisk.  This is an easy weeknight dinner. Hopefully you have leftover crusty bread.

Tuesday night - Salmon with Avocado Salsa.
Another quick weeknight meal. Quinoa as the side with similar salsa ingredients incorporated and dressed with lemon and olive oil.  Of course, it will be hot again so this will be refreshing.

Wednesday night - Vanilla Bean-Whipped Sweet Potatoes.
I realize this is a side, but I could eat the entire bowl pictured.  I love this with a pork tenderloin {roasted at 425 for 20-25 minutes}.

Enjoy!

Dinner this week.

Well, this happened this morning. 

But unlike last year, this will not be a weepy mom post. 

We had a fabulous summer. 

And I enjoyed every single minute of it. 

Right up until Sunday around four o'clock. 

And then I was just done and ready to have a free minute to myself. 

So today - the first day of school - came just in time. 

And while I'm not entirely organized yet, I have done just enough planning and prep to have a a few yummy back-to-school dinners up my sleeve. 

Roasted cherry tomato cappellini | Fresh corn and avocado salad  

I'm going to let the roasted cherry tomato cappellini stand alone -- no protein added.  I'm starting to cut animal protein from our meals at least two nights a week.  The corn and avocado salad, however, will be served as a side with our "crispy chicken" -- yes, fried protein to make up for those protein free meals.

Baby steps.   

It's bound to be a busy week. And I'm secretly still hoping we'll continue our lazy-dinner-after-late-afternoon-swimming routine.

But probably not.

So, on the crazy chance that I'll need to actually cook more than two nights this week, I also have all ingredients on hand for a favorite stand-by:  pesto orecchiette with chicken sausage. But after that, I think I'll need a break from all the routine and structure.

Baby steps.

So, what's on the back-to-school menu at your house? 

Dinner this week.

Well, I'm caving and getting organized this week. I certainly don't want to! But, I haven't done it all summer and will likely not again until late August; so it's hard to complain {doesn't seem to stop me, though, does it?!}. 

My father-in-law arrives today and will be with us all week. While he certainly does not require large meals every night, his arrival provides the motivation I need to throw together a couple decent dinners. I'm not sure if he'd mind popcorn for dinner {the hubs made quite a fuss about this prospect last night, though the kids were quite pleased}, but I suppose I'll try to preserve my perfect wife image just a little longer.   

And yes, I have a short week ahead {thus, only 3 nights of dinners}. Thursday morning I'll dash off for a quick night away with a couple of besties I haven't seen in over a year. 

Knowing that is on the horizon, I'll even up my game a bit with a batch of homemade ice cream for dessert tonight.  

Perfect wife, indeed!

 

Pesto Orecchiette with Chicken Sausage | Grilled Halibut and Tomatoes with Pesto  

Chocolate Thin Mint Ice Cream | Avocado Basil Pasta

4th of July meal planning.

I am a huge fan of the 4th of July. 

Huge. 

It's a day of celebration in my house, and the cause for celebration is twofold:

First, I was raised by a father who served in two wars and was ultimately wounded in combat. As a result, I do not take our freedom for granted. I have seen firsthand the wounds of war and understand our freedom is far from free.   

Second, the 4th of July was my father's birthday. I will forever celebrate him for himself, and for being the most influential person in my life. Then and now. 

So, despite the fact that I'm suffering from a bit of jet lag {the kids are still asleep and it's after noon), I'm beginning to plan our meal for the 4th. I'm thinking an early dinner poolside with friends. Followed by fireworks over the bay. 

It's shaping up to be a grand celebration! 

Just as it should be!

photos via Pinterest

Limited edition patriotic champagne - No celebration would be complete without a little bubbly.  And Chandon has won me over with their cute summer bottle!

Yummy Mummy's patriotic salad - Quinoa, greens, and fresh berries - what a beautiful, and healthy alternative to traditional potato salad.

Blueberry, strawberry & jicama salsa - A refreshing and appropriately colored substitute for our regular salsa.

Lemon dill chicken skewers - Easy, quick, and the perfect compliment to this light meal.

I'll top all this off with brownies, individually wrapped in parchment and topped with red, white, and blue bows, which we will enjoy as we wait for the fireworks to begin!

Happy 4th to you all!

Dinner this week. Kinda.

Okay, so maybe this isn't really what we are eating for dinner this week. At least not all of it. At one time. 

But it's summer. And doesn't mom need a break too!? 

Clearly a rhetorical question. 

In my fantasy world summer meal planning is a paradox. Summer is not about planning. It's about laying by the pool, reading a good book, enjoying art or science projects with the kids, and eating homemade ice cream. 

So here's a little bit of our summer so far: 

all images via Pinterest

We are currently dissolving an eggshell in vinegar. I cannot wait to feel the resulting naked egg. The kids are quite excited about the prospect to say the least. And yes, we are that family: we engage in science projects during the summer. I also quizzed them on their division facts in the car yesterday. Judge me as you will. 

We are eating Blackened Talapia Baja Tacos weekly. If I told you I loved the sauce it would be an understatement of gigantic proportions. I am obsessed with the sauce. Pure love. And this dinner is  fairly healthy, pleases everyone, and takes no time to prepare. And good thing, because I'm too busy watching the egg shell dissolve to stand in front of a stove for long. 

Inspired by this photo, I have started saving our leftover coffee every morning and making coffee ice cubes with it. Almond milk over the coffee ice cubes is a delicious afternoon treat when I need a boost and am considering yet another batch of homemade chocolate ice cream.

Tomorrow we head out of town for a little mini-family reunion weekend with the Hub's family.  I am brining this Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake. It looks amazing {fingers-crossed it is}. And, maybe it's just me, but I think it has enough cinnamon to officially refer to it as a coffee cake, which means, it is suitable as a morning snack {read: I'll be eating cake for breakfast}.  

I am currently obsessed with my homemade chocolate ice cream. It is seriously divine. Topping it with homemade Magic Shell just seemed like the logical next step. 

I hope your summer is off to a fabulous start!

Dinner this week.

Truth be told, this lovely inspiration board does not exactly reflect our dinners this week. It does, however, reflect a few new meals I've prepared over the past couple of weeks and a couple I plan to prepare this week. 

Why do I feel the need to be so forthcoming and honest? 

I have absolutely no idea. 

Regardless, here's my latest inspiration: 

1. Crispy Salmon BLT Sliders - I have a thing for sliders. I just love the little buns. I especially love King's Hawaiian sweet rolls. I'll eat absolutely anything between those sweet little buns. Let's hope the same goes for my kids because they are not big fans of salmon. We'll see how this goes, but I think they look super yummy and would make a fun and easy dish to serve when entertaining friends poolside. Oh, and did I mention the bacon?! Bacon and yummy sweet rolls. Ka-pow!

2. Lemon Dill Chicken Skewers - I made these a couple weeks ago for a casual al fresco dinner with the fam. The kids raved about them. If you know my kids you know they rarely rave about anything that does not involve chocolate {only a slight exaggeration}. I served them with grilled vegetables - corn, zucchini, red onions, and tomatoes. The kids ate a lot of chicken that night. We've now repeated this simple dinner with family in town. Easy, healthy, a crowd pleaser and the cold leftovers are perfect on top of a salad for lunch {in theory, for those people who make and eat salads for lunch}.

3. Chicken Marsala - I made this a couple weeks ago as well. It was also a hit and bears repeating.  I accidentally omitted the cream from the sauce {said cream still sits in our frig}. It certainly didn't need it.  I served it with egg noodles and green beans. Classic family dinner fare. 

4. Avocado Basil Pasta -  This dish is on tap for this week. What I find most curious about this recipe is the title: why in the world does it leave out the most important ingredient -- bacon?! Obviously since I'm buying bacon for the sliders I figured I would need a use for the rest of the package. Because bacon goes to waste in our house all the time {or actually, never}. I'm very curious about this dish. The flavors - bacon, basil, avocado and lemon juice over pasta?! May become a new favorite or it could be {borrowing from the kids} an "epic fail." 

5. Blackened Talapia Baja Tacos - This simple dish has been served numerous times over the past couple weeks - to the family and again with guests. The kids eat it without complaint {though I do not "blacken" their fish} because, after all, it is wrapped in a tortilla. I don't complain either. The true super star here, though, is the sauce: sour cream, cilantro, fresh jalapeno and lime juice. I could eat it by the spoonful. OK, I have eaten it by the spoonful. Fresh and spicy and creamy. What's not to love?! 

Enjoy and happy cooking!

Dinner this week.

You thought I'd forgotten, didn't you!? Or maybe you just thought I was so consumed by my volunteer projects that I stopped feeding my family altogether. Actually I tried, but apparently they want dinner every single night.  

Geesh.  

So spoiled.  

I really must pull one from my mom's playbook and occasionally offer macaroni and cheese with a side of bologna. She dressed it up a bit by cutting "faces" in the bologna {imagine a bologna pumpkin}. I kid you not. Of course, her macaroni and cheese was homemade so I suppose I should cut her a little slack. 

Point being: I have been feeding my family quite well despite the fact that my head is spinning. In fact, this week I've already made two of the items pictured below. And good thing since we now have Thursday and Friday date-night plans. 

Sorry kids. 

Bologna and mac-n-cheese was good enough for me.  

all photos via Pinterest

1. Maple Grilled Salmon - I made this Monday night. It was simple and delicious. I told the kids it was brain food and would help them on their STAAR tests. {No, I have no idea was STAAR stands for nor do I particularly care. I do know it is a new test mandated by the great State of Texas after they determined the old mandated test was indeed allowing children to be left behind. Don't get me started.} 

2. Pesto Pasta with Chicken Sausage - Yummy, yum, yum, yum. Easy, satisfying and the ingredients can generally sit in the fridge for a couple days when life happens and your meal planning for the week ends up being meal planning for the weekend. 

3. Pioneer Woman's Pasta with Pancetta and Leeks - A favorite of mine. I have a thing for leeks. I love them. It is not at all like my thing for Adam Levine; don't get me wrong. But leeks are also super yummy. 

4. Honey Butter Pork Tenderloin - I tried this evening. It was yummy, but a little sweet for my . . . get this . . . kids' taste. I cook pork tenderloins fairly often and have pretty good results by just using a salad dressing marinade. Tonight the kids complained.  

Geesh {refer back to spoiled comment herein}. 

Dinner this week.

First off, let me say I am not renaming my blog "Dinner this week." I do plan to actually blog about something other than my dinner plans. 

Truly. 

Tomorrow in fact. 

But this feature has indeed helped me stay on course with my at least one of my Top 10 goals for 2012 -- meal planning. When I reviewed all my goals this morning I noted I was doing fairly well this first quarter. Which may, of course, be why this wittle blog has not received as much attention! Living takes time friends, and I've packed a whole lotta living in this first quarter.

So for today, more meal plans. 

But stick with me because tomorrow I am excited to announce a giveaway from the amazingly talented Lesley Evers!!! 

On tap for this week:

1. Ina's Lemon Chicken - this is now a staple in our house. *Love* 
2. Pork Chops - allegedly "the best pork chops you will ever taste." We'll see about that. 
3. Baked Chicken Parmesan - yum. I'll eat anything topped with ooey-gooey fresh mozzarella. 
4. Pappardelle with Braised Beef Ragu - This is amazing and simple and delicious and satisfying. Yes, it takes time, but not hands-on time. And no, I do not make homemade pappardelle.   

So, what's for dinner this week at your house?  If you share a link with me I may just add it to my repertoire and link back to you in the coming weeks! 

And remember to come back tomorrow to enter my Lesley Evers giveaway!!!

Dinner this week.

Sweet and simple this week. That's what I need. With the exception of the risotto each of these dishes require only 15-30 minutes of hands-on time.  

Thank goodness because this week is setting up to be quite a doozy {oy, I sound old}.  

Anyway, I am back from an amazing family ski vacation and need to get us back on track and on schedule this week. The risotto will be reserved for Thursday night {no after-school activities} when I can open a bottle of pinot grigio and spend 45 minutes in front of the stove. It is always time well spent.  

I hope your week is off to a wonderful start! 

1. Skillet Rosemary Chicken, 2. Roasted Tomatoes with Feta and Shrimp, 3. Parmesan Chicken with Ceasar Roasted Romaine, and 4. Chicken Risotto with Spring Vegetables.

Dinner this week.

My meal planning for the week only involves one meal. 

Source: smittenkitchen.com via AmyEatLiveLaugh on Pinterest

I've read about it's simplistic beauty from numerous sources. 

I've been intrigued.

Skeptical. 

And curious. 

But now, with a ski trip looming, I need just one simple dinner. 

I certainly do not plan on grocery shopping for just one night. 

But luckily I already have all the ingredients on hand.  

via SmittenKitchen.com

I pride myself on my marinara. 

It's always homemade and always delicious. 

But this recipe has been described as "brilliant" and "magical". 

So without further adieu I introduce . . . 

Tomato Sauce with Butter and Onions

Via Smitten Kitchen 

28 ounces whole peeled tomatoes from a can (San Marzano, if you can find them)
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 medium-sized yellow onion, peeled and halved
Salt to taste

Put the tomatoes, onion and butter in a heavy saucepan (it fit just right in a 3-quart) over medium heat. Bring the sauce to a simmer then lower the heat to keep the sauce at a slow, steady simmer for about 45 minutes, or until droplets of fat float free of the tomatoes. Stir occasionally, crushing the tomatoes against the side of the pot with a wooden spoon. Remove from heat, discard the onion, add salt to taste (you might find, as I did, that your tomatoes came salted and that you didn’t need to add more) and keep warm while you prepare your pasta.

Serve with spaghetti, with or without grated parmesan cheese to pass.

Enjoy! 

Dinner this week.

Over the past few weeks more than one friend has noted they miss my "Dinner this week" feature. I'd take pride in the fact that I'm inspiring others to plan and cook dinner for their families, but we all know I'm just providing pictures and links. A virtual grocery list if you will. 

Nonetheless, I've missed it too. I have fallen off the meal-planning wagon. Meals have been quite unplanned the past couple weeks. The hubs has traveled quite a bit, and I may have passed off hot dogs and brownies as "dinner" on more than one evening.  The kids have certainly not missed the variety. They prefer tried and true. 

Well, sorry kids, Mama is back on her game this week.  

1.  Red Wine-Braised Short Ribs, 2. Pesto Orecchiette with Chicken Sausage, 3. Chicken Alfredo, 4. Roasted Shrimp and Broccoli.

If you try any of these recipes let me know what you think. If all goes as planned {big IF since the only consistent thing about this blog is its inconsistency}, I'll report back next week.

Dinner this week.

I think it fitting that I comment on the dinners from last week in case you are curious, or hungry, or wondering if I just make all this stuff up.

I did indeed make all four of the dinners pictured.  Scout's honor.

Here are my thoughts on each:

1. Pasta orecchiette with chicken sausage - This was fabulous, easy and even the kids enjoyed it {minus the pesto on their portions}. 

2. Shredded chicken tacos - I didn't end up actually doing the shredded chicken part. We just had rotisserie chicken tacos. It was my easy quick and that's what I needed last Wednesday {actually ever Wednesday} night.

3. Easy penne with balsamic sweet potatoes, arugula and parmesan - Yummy.  I adored the balsamic glazed sweet potatoes. Adored them so much in fact that I found myself standing over the skillet "sampling" about ten bites before determining they were perfectly cooked.  Don't judge until you've tried them. Added in with the peppery arugula and salty parmesan and it was a fabulous pasta dish. A lovely deviation from our norm. 

4. Fig-prosciutto pizza - Epic failure. We've never done a homemade pizza before. Suffice to say, we* will perfect our crust before inviting any friends over for a pizza-making party. I do not blame the recipe. We* just had crust issues. And a soggy-woggy crust pretty much ruins the pizza. That and I think my husband thought I was crazy with my fig spread on pizza. The toppings were delicious, though, in my opinion. The combination of the fig spread, arugula, and prosciutto - inspired. Eating it on all on top of a soggy, undercooked crust - depressing. 


*when I say "we", I really mean "the Hubs".  {xoxo honey!}

Moving on.

Here is my idea board for our dinners this week:  

all images via Pinterst

1. Pasta carbonara - one of my all-time favs, 2. Lemon orzo with grape tomatoes and asparagus - simple and light, 3. Mozzarella, tomato & pesto grilled cheese - because I have leftover pesto and kids can have regular grilled cheese - probably our Wednesday night dinner, 4. Caramelized brussel sprouts with pancetta - served with leftover chicken, 5. Ina's baked lemon chicken - I'll make lots of this so we'll have leftover chicken to get us through the week.  

So, what's for dinner this week at your house?