Tag Archives: menu plan

menu plan Monday

The weekend of a lot and the menu plan that followed

I've never braved the ski lift that runs from end to end at the fair, but based on the pictures other people took from its terrifying heights I might try it. Next year. Maybe.
I’ve never braved the ski lift that runs from one end of the fairgrounds to the other, but based on the pictures other people took from its terrifying heights I might try it. Next year. Maybe.
Which exciting story of our weekend would you care to hear? The one where we spent hours and hours at the soccer fields? The one where we went to the fair with a gaggle — a herd? a pack? a pod? a convocation, crackle or charm? What is the appropriate collective noun in this instance? — of homeschoolers? The one where I went to the grocery store alone? The one with both sleepovers and birthday parties? Or perhaps the one where I hurt my back whilst emptying the kitty litter?

As you may have surmised, it was a very busy weekend. I think that, instead of telling you any of those riveting tales, I will share with you our menu plan for the week and go back to my heating pad.

Monday: Chicken Parm Meatballs
It would seem that I’m on a Rachael Ray kick again. Her Chicken Parm Meatballs are the first of two RR recipes this week. We’ll have them with orzo and a salad.

Tuesday: Tacos
Taco Tuesday, but with more avocado and less kragle.

Wednesday: Chicken & Dumplings
Remember when my dad was coming to town and he wanted chicken & dumplings so I put them on the menu again? We went out to eat instead. He’s stopping by again after spending the weekend at my brother’s house, though, so here again are the chicken & dumplings.

Thursday: Out?
We’ll probably go out, but we may just have cereal instead.

Friday: Pizza
Screamin’ Sicilian frozen pizzas are (1) delicious and (2) usually above my self-imposed frozen-pizza price-acceptability guidelines, but they were super-crazy on sale this week.

How was your weekend? I hope it was fun and free of feline-related hijinks and/or injury.

Looking for more inspiration? Check out the Menu Plan Monday link up at OrgJunkie.com!

menu plan Monday

Hoping the meteorologists are on target

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Monday: Hawaiian chicken

Rockford is the primary pineapple fan in our house, and he wasn’t even here when we tried this the first time. I think he’ll like it.
Menu Plan Monday

Tuesday: Red beans and rice

I made a large pot of red beans and meat a few weeks ago, and I have two meals’ worth still in the freezer. So this will be a super-easy meal.

Wednesday: Cheeseburgers

The Weather Channel tells me we’re supposed to have nice weather on Wednesday. I’m hoping they’re right, because I’m planning to grill these.

Thursday: Grilled tuna

And Thursday is supposed to be even lovelier than Wednesday!

Friday: Undecided

I’m going to be trying Bikram yoga on Friday evening with a friend, so Rockford and the kids will be dining without me. It’s also known as “hot yoga,” apparently, because the room is heated to a ridiculous temperature. I would not be surprised if I passed out.
menu plan Monday

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!