Crab Noodle Romanoff

Well this meal was yummy in all aspects,but it wasn't a fave of mine. The recipe didn't specify what kind of noodle to use, so I used bug shaped pasta to entice my son - it worked BIG TIME! He gobbled his whole dinner down, but then declared that he didn't like it. This meal IS extremely easy and has very few ingredients - so it may be back, but it also may not. It didn't win me over totally... maybe a second chance is just what it needs?

Go to Recipe!

Cheesy Sausage Rice Bake

Is it wrong of me to LOVE this meal as much as I do? There is nothing healthy about it. I'm sure you could make a lot of changes to the recipe and end up with a decently healthy meal, but would it taste even remotely as yummy as the original? I know, it looks like dog food on the plate, but oh my oh my it is unbelievably delicious. I may think about what to do to make it slightly a little more healthy and put the new recipe in a plan one day, but you can bet that this version will be around for a long time!! :-)

Go to Recipe!

Meal Plan ~ Week 36 2010

For other great Meal Plans and Organization Advise, visit Organizing Junkie

Monday - Cheesy Sausage and Rice Bake (from last week) 
                    Recipe - Cheesy Sausage and Rice Bake

Tuesday - Crab Noodle Romanoff

                     Recipe - Crab Noodle Romanoff

Wednesday -Au Gratin Taco Bake

                           Recipe - Au Gratin Taco Bake

Thursday -Southwestern Chicken Pizza

                       Recipe - Southwestern Chicken Pizza

Friday -Thai Style Pork

                 Recipe - Thai Style Pork

Saturday - Shake'n'Bake Chicken with Broccoli Corn Casserole

                       Recipe - Broccoli Corn Casserole

Sunday - Spending night in Banff - Family out to Restaurant

Never work before breakfast; if you have to work before breakfast, eat your breakfast first.  ~Josh Billings

Chicken Katsu with Tonkatsu Sauce

This meal was AMAZING!!  I truly couldn't stop eating.

Panko is my new fave coating for chicken - the meat was SO tender and moist and the crust was SO crispy. It turned out perfect! The sauce had just the right amount of tang and sweetness. The breading doesn't have really any flavouring so the sauce is a must. You might be able to add some spices to the panko and scrap the dip if you wanted. 

This meal will be returning for sure!!

Go to Recipe!

Check in and Reviews

 So it has been almost 4 days since I have checked in and the reason why is that I haven't really done any cooking. 

Wednesday - We had take out from Wok Box - not bad, may try it again some other time. 

Thursday - We had Perogies and Farmers Sausage - out of the package and just like you imagine it. One of our guilty pleasures around here. My son can almost eat more than I can! 

Friday -My husband and I went out to Red Water Grill for our wedding anniversary and Grandma and our son had Pizza. I had the BEST Rack of Lamb I have ever eaten, SO tender! I also had delectable Tuna Carpacio and a Vanilla Bean Whiskey Creme Brulee. mmmm!!!  

Today I am doing some baking because I have some ladies coming over tomorrow for a Lia Sophia Jewelry Party. So I am making my Coconut Toffee Macaroons,  Mandarin Cake, and Soft Gingersnaps. All of them are sure bets. I do not really have the time today to be experimenting as we have a birthday BBQ to go to tonight. 

 Here are the recipes for those baked goods:

 

Soft Gingersnaps

Coconut Toffee Macaroons

Mandarin Cake
















Now onto planning next week's meals and the grocery list ~ I SHOULD have more meals and recipes for you this coming week!  :-)

Chicken Broccoli Skillet

I was so excited to try this meal - only 5 ingredients and fast, fast , fast. But it is lacking true flavour and it is so thick it could clog a a sink - one word comes to mind ~ goop. I MIGHT try this again, but I would have to do some serious tweaking with the "sauce" to thin it out and brighten the flavours. So really, it would be a totally different meal in the long run. My son spit out his first bite and refused to try any more... so to the trash it went... 

Thoughts on how to thin it:

Add milk

Add Sour Cream

Add Milk and Cream of Broccoli Soup

Needs Onion, Garlic, Pepper and maybe a little Mustard Powder. 

Best thing about this meal was the rice...

Go to Recipe!

Meal Plan ~ Week 35 2010

For other great meal plans and Organization Advise, visit Organizing Junkie

Half a regular week as my husband returns on Wednesday Morning.

Monday - Chicken Broccoli Skillet

Chicken Broccoli Skillet

Tuesday -Perogies and Farmer's Sausage                   
                   (No Recipe ~ Straight out of the Package)

Wednesday - Leftovers

Thursday -Chicken Katsu with Tonkatsu Sauce, Rice and Steamed Sugar Snap Peas 
Chicken Katsu with Tonkatsu Sauce

Friday - Babysitter and Son get Pizza - Mom and Dad out for Anniversary Dinner

Saturday - Family out for a Birthday Party BBQ

Sunday - Cheesy Sausage and Rice Bake
Cheesy Sausage and Rice Bake

There is one thing more exasperating than a wife who can cook and won't, and that's a wife who can't cook and will.  ~ Robert Frost

Tuna Helper

Okay so not going to actually write a review on this one. All I can say is that my husband HATES this meal and it is one of my many guilty pleasures. One that I can only enjoy when he is not home. So I introduced it to our son tonight and he loved it (of course :-)) 

When I wrote out my meal plan for this week, it didn't seem too bad, but in writing all these "non" reviews, maybe I could have tried a little bit harder... 

Oh well, back at it next week! Until then I have a night of Chinese Take Out, and a BBQ at a friend's house...  So see you on Monday!! :-)

http://mealplan-it.blogspot.com/2010/08/meal-plan-week-34-2010.html

Meatloaf

Well, I went and forgot to take a photo! With the chaos of the boys and Grandma coming over, I just forgot - good thing we all know what meatloaf looks like.

Like hamburgers, I do not usually follow a recipe for meatloaf, I usually add egg, bread crumbs, Worcestershire sauce, feta cheese, and spices. Sometimes I mix it up and add other types of cheeses, or crushed up crackers. I always make my sauce from scratch; just like my Mama. 3 parts ketchup, 1 part molasses, a "punch" of brown sugar, chili powder, garlic powder, mustard powder, dried rosemary, and pepper. Mix it all together and give it a taste - tweak as needed.

Tonight's meal with the baby potatoes and creamed corn went over well and Grandma took home the leftovers (that's a good sign!) This is a staple "feel good" meal in our home ~ so you will see this again and maybe next time you will REALLY see it! :-)

Meal Plan ~ Week 34 - 2010

Olivieri Tortellini and Tomato Sauce

No photo tonight because I think most of us know what this meal would look like. I am glad that this meal was on the meal plan for today as it was a beautiful day so the boys and I were outside right up until a few minutes before I had to prepare supper. So supper was ready in 10 minutes and it was eaten up in about the same time. So easy I almost feel silly writing about it... :-)

http://mealplan-it.blogspot.com/2010/08/meal-plan-week-34-2010.html

Crispy Fish Bake

Chalk this one up as EASY! And this week is ALL about the speed and making sure that I don't have to fight at the table to get my son to eat his veggies. I used a "Potato Chip Crusted Fish" Oh la la, was that a nice treat!
The Kraft website is a cornucopia of amazing recipes that are easy and fast, check out the link on the right hand side of my blog.

Go to Recipe!

Skillet Spaghetti

Skillet Spaghetti is a lot like regular spaghetti, but a little richer in flavour because you simmer everything together in one skillet - pasta too! So it is a great one pot meal, fairly fast and very versatile as you could add any veggies that you want (I grate zucchini and carrot to add to my son's veggie intake). So because it is so versatile and easy and clean up is a cinch, I'd have to say this is one of my fave fast meals. I divided up portions for my son's lunch and froze~ he'll always eat spaghetti!

Go to Recipe!

Meal Plan - Week 34 ~ 2010

For other great meal plans and Organization Advise, visit http://orgjunkie.com

This week is very simple, uninspiring, and not all that healthy as my husband will be away for 9 days to NYC - cross your fingers he comes back with a little blue box for me. :-) So it is just me and the boys this week with Grandma coming over for periodic visits. :-) So with having 2 under the age of 3 - easy is my mantra!

Monday - Skillet Spaghetti

http://mealplan-itrecipes.blogspot.com/2010/08/skillet-spaghetti.html

Tuesday -Crispy Fish Bake
http://mealplan-itrecipes.blogspot.com/2010/08/crispy-fish-bake.html

Wednesday - Oliveri Tortellini
                          (No Recipe ~ Straight out of the Package)

Thursday -Meatloaf, Creamed Corn, Roasted Baby Potatoes
                       (No Recipe ~ In my head)

Friday -Tuna Helper
                (No Recipe ~ Straight out of the Package)

Saturday - Chinese Take-out
                       (No Recipe - Take-out)

Sunday - Chicken Broccoli Skillet
http://mealplan-itrecipes.blogspot.com/2010/08/chicken-broccoli-skillet.html


Worries go down better with soup than without. ~ Jewish Proverb

Speedy Chicken Stirfry

Another easy peasy meal tonight, this one from the Kraft Canada Website. Watch out though the dressing does turn greasy once cooked.
My son gobbled it up and it is one of my husband's faves. Mum was an all around winner tonight! ;-)

Go to Recipe!

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins and Taco Salad

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins: My new "go to" muffin! Oh my Goodness these were amazing! So moist and flavourful! Not THE healthiest muffin on the block, but when you only eat them as an occasional treat... why not! This recipe was SO easy and the end result was so worth it!

Go to Recipe!

Taco Salad: One of my all time faves for it's versatility and taste. I love the homemade flavour of the beef and it doesn't take much more work than just tossing in a "taco seasoning packet". I love that you start with a bed of lettuce and everyone can add whatever they choose, so really everyone makes their own supper ~ a real crowd pleaser! This makes a great meal for get togethers, pot lucks, and even camping (make the meat mixture ahead of time). Love, love, love it!!

Go to Recipe!

Jamacian Jerk Chicken with Tropical Fruit Salsa

Yes, this was absolutely PERFECT! The aroma in the kitchen while the Chicken was baking was phenomenal! My son gobbled it up too (with BBQ sauce of course) but it is so hard to get him to eat meat, so I was fine with the Chicken being drowned in sauce.  The Tropical Fruit Salsa was a perfect compliment to the meat and the Basmati Rice. I didn't have any red peppers, so the colour is a little lacking, but it tasted terrific even without them. 

I recommend this meal to anyone, definitely worth all the work.

Jerk Chicken with Tropical Fruit Salsa

So today my son asked to bake cookies, so I said "Sure!" but then half way through me gathering the ingredients, he said that he didn't want any, but just wanted to eat the chocolate chips on their own... well can't have that so I put everything away. But it put me in the mood to bake so I thought I'd whip up a batch of Coconut Macaroons, well halfway through mixing the ingredients, I found that I didn't have enough Coconut! So I subbed in a bag of Skor Toffee Bits and crossed my fingers... HOLY COW they are AMAZING!! So here is my recipe: 

Coconut Toffee Macaroons

Totally Tubular Pasta

Who would have thought Tomato Sauce mixed with Soy Sauce and Brown Sugar? Not me, but I thought I'd give it a whirl and it was DELISH!! It was tangy and sweet at the same time - this one is a keeper for sure. I might try it with smaller noodles next time because they were a little big for my son to deal with, so he ended giving up. You will definitely see this one again in my Meal Plans!

Go to Recipe!

Homemade Pizza

No recipe for this one, I just use pre-made shells and top with Tomato Sauce and Italian Spice. For toppings we always have Peperoni, Mushrooms, Bacon, and Tomatoes. The cheese is a blend of Sharp Cheddar, Mozza, and Parm. My preschooler helped me make them and he was proud as punch to serve the supper that he made.

Fish Tacos

I went to California in 2008 and had Fish Tacos for the first time in my life. I was skeptical at first, I didn't believe that the words "fish" and "taco" should be used together, but Dukes in Malibu made me a believer. I have been on a bit of a personal mission to find a good and easy Fish Taco recipe of my own. This was one of my first tried and so far our fave. If you have one that you'd like to share, please do, I'd love to try it. 

Go to Recipe!

Chicken Burgs and Sweet Potato Fries

No recipes tonight - just a simple and unimaginative "out of the box" kind of night for my lucky family. ;-)

Chicken Burgers on Flat buns - Breaded Chicken Cutlets from the freezer section of our grocery store.

Sweet Potato Fries - McCains Crinkle Cut (Frozen)

Broccoli Coleslaw - with Soy Nuts and Cranberries

When I made my meal plan this week, I wanted a easy, fast, sure bet so here it is. Sorry that it is not inspiring - there will be some better ones coming up this week like Fish Tacos and Jamaican Jerk Chicken with Tropical Fruit Salsa, both of which are easy, fast and uber delicious. So I guess this is my "break" night after last night's impromptu entertaining meal.
http://mealplan-it.blogspot.com/2010/08/meal-plan-week-33-2010.html

Meal Plan - Week 33 ~ 2010

For other great meal plans and Organization Advise, visit http://orgjunkie.com/

Monday -Chicken Burgers, Sweet Potato Fries, and Broccoslaw

Tuesday -Fish Tacos With Rice and Corn
                  http://mealplan-itrecipes.blogspot.com/2010/08/fish-tacos.html

Wednesday -Homemade Pizza with Caesar Salad

Thursday -Totally Tubular Pasta (Meatless Tomato/Cheese Sauce) with Tossed Salad
http://mealplan-itrecipes.blogspot.com/2010/08/totally-tubular-pasta.html

Friday -Jamaican Jerk Chicken with Tropical Fruit Salsa and Quinoa

http://mealplan-itrecipes.blogspot.com/2010/08/jamaican-jerk-chicken-with-tropical.html
Saturday - Company coming for a Continental Brunch
                    - Taco Salad
 http://mealplan-itrecipes.blogspot.com/2010/08/choclate-chip-banana-muffins.html
http://mealplan-itrecipes.blogspot.com/2010/08/taco-salad.html

Sunday -Peanut, Broccoli, Chicken Stir-fry

http://mealplan-itrecipes.blogspot.com/2010/08/broccoli-chicken-stirfry-with-peanuts.html

 When baking, follow directions. When cooking, go by your own taste. ~ Laiko Bahrs

Steak and Baby Back Ribs BBQ

Another Wonderful Backyard BBQ with Great Friends! :-)

Tonight's Meal Plan:

Hummus with Pita Chips (Store bought - no time)

Brushetta with Baguette (Old standby)

BBQ Steak

BBQ Baby Back Ribs

Roasted Baby Potatoes with Lemon & Provencal Seasoning

Greek Salad

Mandarin Cake

Cappuccino/Latte

Greek Salad- SIMPLE and Delish!

Go to Recipe!

Baby Potatoes: Blanched in salted water with lemon juice them roasted with Garlic and Provencal Seasoning and Mediterranean spiced vinegar

Baby Back Ribs: I always boil mine for about 10 minutes before they go on the grill. My husband cooks them SLOWLY for about 3 hours all the while basting them in a full bottle of BBQ Sauce... mmm fall off the bone!

Mandarin Cake - No leftovers - everything was eaten and enjoyed - I must say the big hit tonight was the cake - not a piece left!! I haven't made it in so many years that I totally forgot all about it,but I think I will have to make it more often. So Ooey Gooey and Tasty!

Go to Recipe!

Maple Mustard Pork Tenderloin with Caramlized Apples

Served with Steamed Carrots and Quinoa (Yes; we LOVE Quinoa) If you are unsure what it is, here is a website dedicated to this awesome grain: http://quinoa365.com/

The whole family cleaned their plates. This was SO delicious and fairly simple. A+++

Go to Recipe!

Meat Bun Bake

A very "down home" meal. Everyone loves it - my preschooler called it Meat Pancakes. Particularly delicious slathered in ketchup! :-) 

Go to Recipe!

Crunchy Chicken with Honey Dip

YUMMO! Everyone thoroughly enjoyed tonight's meal, my preschooler cleaned his plate! And it was fast and simple. Again, most ingredients came from the pantry. My husband declared that he was not in a "Quinoa Mood' so we had Basmati Rice on the side instead. Love, love, love the smell of cooking Basmati! 

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Mushroom Smothered Salisbury Steak

mmmmm.... yum! These patties are so moist and flavourful and oh so easy to whip up. With the gravy and added mashed potatoes and asparagus - this was an all around "feel good" home-style meal. This recipe was out of one of my Weight Watcher Cook Books. So if you stick to the serving suggestion (1 pattie, 1/4 Cup sauce, 1/2 Cup mashed potatoes, asparagus with no butter) you are looking at a 7 point meal! PERFECT! 

Go to Recipe!

Meal Plan - Week 32 ~ 2010

Monday -Mushroom Smothered Salisbury Steak, Mashed Potatoes & Asparagus with Garlic Butter

Tuesday -Crunchy Chicken Fingers with Honey Mustard Sauce, Quinoa, Zucchini Parmesan

Wednesday -Meat Bun Bake, Salad

Thursday -Preschooler delight - Hot Dogs, Perogies, KD, and Puffed Wheat Squares

Friday -Family out for a BBQ

Saturday -Maple Mustard Pork Tenderloin with Steamed Carrots and Quinoa

Sunday -(Ended up with another impromptu Backyard BBQ) 

Hummus with Pita Chips, Brushetta with Baguette, BBQ Steak, BBQ Baby Back Ribs, Roasted Baby Potatoes with Lemon & Provencal Seasoning, Greek Salad,  Mandarin Cake

A happy life consists in tranquility of mind. -- Cicero

Another Backyard BBQ

Well we ended up having a last minute impromptu bbq for 8 people

Menu Included:

Brushetta and Crusty Bread

Fruit Punch

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad (left over & I topped it up with some more) 

Left over Broccoli Salad

Homemade Hamburgers

Hot Dogs

Left over Magic Bars

Fruit Dessert Pizza

Thank goodness for having some leftovers!

Hamburgers: I always use 1lb ground beef and 1lb ground pork. I usually add in Worcestershire Sauce, Pepper, Bread Crumbs, Egg, Ketchup, Ground Mustard, Paprika, Montreal Steak Spice, a Provencal Spice Mix, and Crumbed Feta, but I change the spices to match my mood.

 Dessert Pizza ~ It was a HUGE hit!

BBQ went over really well, everyone was full and happy and the weather cooperated - too bad the mosquitoes came out near the end of the evening - not much we can do about them, but come in the house for a cappuccino.
It will be nice to have a regular meal on Monday - my preschooler has eaten nothing but junk for the past 2 nights! I guess that's summer! :-)

Go to Dessert Pizza Recipe!