Category Archives: menu plan Monday

‘This is the start of a difficult day’

menubutton“This is the start of a difficult day.” Poppy has told me that at least four times this morning. She’s only been up for four hours. There’s some truth in what she says, though. Last night my throat started to hurt. And this morning I woke up with a full-blown cold, complete with a vocal range that moves from Very Croaky to Entirely Nonexistent. I don’t know that her day’s been all that difficult, though. The kids get to watch far too much TV when I’m sick.

On the bright side, at least now I kind of have an excuse for not going out into the broiling hotness that’s been our weather lately. Anyway, it’s a good that I’d already planned The Laziest Menu Plan Ever for this week. Here ’tis:

Monday: Breakfast for dinner.

I had an omelet for breakfast this morning. I’ll probably have another tonight!

Tuesday: McAlister’s Deli.

Tuesday is Kids Night at our McAlister’s, which means the kids will eat free. If I’m still feeling rotten tomorrow, we’ll probably get take-out.

Wednesday: Undecided.

We’re supposed to have dinner at a friend’s on Wednesday, but I’d rather not infect them. So we’ll see.

Thursday: Fish sticks and mac & cheese

The kids will undoubtedly be excited about this one.

Friday: Pizza.

Take a chance and eat some food

menubuttonI faced down one of my culinary fears this weekend: Grilled fish. I’ve thought about making grilled fish many times, but I always picture watching my dinner drop through the grate as the delicate little fillets flake and fall to bits. The recipe for Grilled Mahi-Mahi with Thai Coconut Sauce in this month’s Bon Appetit sounded so good, though, that I decided to take a risk. After visiting two grocery stores in my quest for mahi-mahi failed, I turned to tuna steaks. Which are imminently grillable, I learned. I overcooked them a bit, but they were still tasty, and the sauce was light, flavorful and a lovely shade of green.

So that was Saturday. The rest of the week isn’t going to be quite so daring, but I hope it’ll be delicious just the same!

Monday: Chicken sausages and mac & cheese.

Tuesday: Spaghetti.

Wednesday: Pork stir-fry.

Thursday: Poblano, Potato and Corn Gratin.

Friday: Pizza.

Grilled Tuna with Thai Coconut Sauce
Recipe adapted from Bon Appetit
1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
4 ounces bottled clam juice
4 ounces water
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
4 teaspoons minced peeled fresh ginger
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1 teaspoon fish sauce
1 to 2 teaspoons minced seeded serrano chile
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro, divided
1 tablespoon minced green onions, divided
4 6-ounce tuna steaks

Heat grill to medium-high. Combine first 7 ingredients — coconut milk through fish sauce — in medium skillet. Add 1 to 2 teaspoons serrano chile, depending on level of heat desired; boil until sauce thickens slightly and is reduced to generous 3/4 cup, 8 to 9 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in 1 tablespoon cilantro and 1 tablespoon green onions. Season sauce with salt and pepper.

Remove 1/4 cup sauce from saucepan and brush onto each piece of fish; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill fish until opaque in center and grill marks appear, 5 to 6 minutes per side, depending on thickness of fish. Divide coconut sauce among four plates; top with fish.

*Bonus points to you if you know the title’s inspiration!

Product endorsement within

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Monday: Breakfast for dinner.

I’ll probably make an omelet for myself. Rockford and the kids will most likely have pancakes.

Tuesday: Grilled sausages and mac & cheese.

Wednesday: Rockford and I might be going out Wednesday, but I’m not sure just yet. (Cross your fingers for me!)

Thursday: Spaghetti

Friday: Pizza.

I have a new favorite from Papa John’s: Ham, pineapple, onions and green peppers on thin crust. It’s delicious, and I think you should try it.