February 28, 2010

Menu Plan

Monday- Apricot Onion Chops, Butternut squash, sweet potatoes, and sugar snap peas.
Tuesday- Daddy's special dinner.. we're off to Red Lobster. I am not a fan of seafood, so we'll see. :)
Wednesday- Beef and Broccoli and rice. I might look for a simple fried rice recipe.
Thursday- Tortellini w/ham and peas and bread/rolls.
Friday- finally I want to get this in Roasted Chicken and Gravy mashed potatoes, corn, and stuffing.
Saturday- Knock off KFC Bowls with leftover chicken, mashed, gravy, and corn. Mmm!
Sunday- Pot roast with onions and carrots PW style, buttered egg noodles and green beans.

Oh, p.s. Happy March Ya'll, I so can't wait for spring with all this snow we've been getting in Central PA. I went to the Dollar Tree today and got myself some Easter/Spring decorations, and even made some Easter crafts. I can't wait to decorate. My poor Sweetie will have to shovel a path out to get my stuff out of the shed! LOL

February 21, 2010

Menu Plan Monday

Monday- Sauteed Ham, Cabbage, and Potatoes
Tuesday- Tuna Helper with peas and butter bread. I have to get fillings :( Daddy's cooking.
Wednesday- Shopping if the weather is good. We'll go to CiCi's pizza since I have a coupon.
Thursday-Turkey bacon roll ups, pickles, corn, chips
Friday Lipton noodles, sweet pea pods, and Grilled Chicken Tenderloins (without the grill)
Saturday- Apricot Onion Chops Butternut squash with a sweet potato too, and noodles.
Sunday- MIL's.


UPDATE: now I have the menu figured out, once again the dentist office messed up so I am home with an infected tooth to treat. :( The roll ups we're making with out own ideas, and Apricot chops are new along with butter nut squash, we've never had.

I will post the remainder of the week once I get back from shopping, I have a couple recipes I wanna try soon. Hopefully my mouth won't be too sore. I seriously hate the dentist!!

Oh yeah, if you have any good Bridal shower recipes, feel free to send them my way! My shower is being thrown March 27th. :)

Family Favorite Recipe: Skillet Lasagna

Skillet Lasagna

1 pound ground beef
1/4 cup onion chopped
1/2 cup green pepper chopped
3 cups uncooked mafalda noodles
4 cups water
1 jar tomato pasta sauce
mozzarella cheese for sprinkling on top

Cook beef, onions, and green peppers in dutch oven over med. high heat until beef is cooked, drain.
Stir in remaining ingrediants except cheese.
Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally: reduce heat to low.
Simmer uncovered until pasta is cooked, serve with sprinkled cheese on top.

*If you use the whole box of pasta add a bit more water or sauce. I always use the water to swish around in the sauce jar to get it all. Keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't get too dry. This is much tastier than Hamburger Helper Lasagna.

February 13, 2010

Menu Plan

Happy Valentine's day ya'll!!

Sunday- Valentine's day dinner. Marinated steaks, baked taters, shrimp alfredo, and salads. Chocolate eclair cake. I am looking for a good marinade.

Monday- Tacos

Tuesday- Ham, cabbage, and potatoes. (new recipe)

Wednesday- Chili dogs with french fries

Thursday- Country style pork roast (new recipe), mashed, gravy, green beans.

Friday- Skillet lasagna with Anthony's favorite bread.

Saturday- Chicken cordon bleu casserole

February 05, 2010

Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains

I am super excited for the new season of Survivor. Heroes vs. Villains sounds so fun and scandalous! I am really pulling for James this time around since he was hurt last time and had to leave early. I am also excited for Rupert, JT, Colby, and Boston Rob. None of the girls are really appealing to me. Although I am excited to see how Russell stirs the pot with Richard.

Recipe Review : Ranch Parmesan Chicken Breast

Ranch Parmesan Chicken Breast

Ingredients:

    * 6 boneless skinless chicken breasts (I diced this up into 1 inch chunks.)
    * 1 cup dry breadcrumbs
    * 1/4-1/3 cup Parmesan cheese
    * 1 teaspoon seasoning salt
    * 1/2-1 teaspoon ground black pepper
    * 1/2-1 teaspoon garlic powder
    * 1 cup prepared ranch salad dressing (I just used enough to coat the chicken, less than half a bottle.)

Directions:

   1. In a resealable plastic bag, marinade chicken breasts in ranch dressing for at least half an hour.
   2. Set oven to 400° degrees (set oven rack to lowest position).
   3. Lightly grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish.
   4. In a shallow bowl mix together the dry breadcrumbs with Parmesan cheese, seasoned salt, black pepper and garlic powder.
   5. Remove chicken from marinade, allowing any excess to drip off.
   6. Coat in the breadcrumb mixture.
   7. Place in a single layer onto a greased baking sheet or line with non-stick foil (do NOT bake in a smaller baking dish or the bottom of the chicken will be soggy).
   8. If desired you can sprinkle black pepper over the chicken pieces.
   9. Bake uncovered for about 30-35 minutes or until the chicken is cooked).

I didn't let it cook on the bottom rack because I was afraid of it burning.. and it did get a little browned on the bottom really fast, so I moved it up to the middle.

Mr. Bear says- 4/5 stars
Myself- 4/5 and very good dipped in bbq sauce.

February 03, 2010

Recipe Review: Sweet n' Sour Meatloaf

Sweet n' Sour Meatloaf

Ingredients
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 5 tablespoons ketchup, divided
  • 2 tablespoons prepared mustard
  • 1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
  • 2 tablespoons onion soup mix (whole pack)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
  •  
  • Directions
  • In a large bowl, combine the egg, 2 tablespoons ketchup, mustard, bread crumbs, dry soup mix, salt and pepper. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Shape into an oval loaf.
  • Place in a shallow 1-qt. microwave-safe dish. Cover and microwave on high for 10-12 minutes or until the meat is no longer pink and a meat thermometer reads 160°; drain.
  • Meanwhile in a small bowl, combine the sugars, vinegar and remaining ketchup; drizzle over meat loaf. Cover and microwave on high for 2-3 minutes longer or until heated through. Let stand for 10 minutes before slicing. Yield: 4 servings.

I doubled this recipe since we love meatloaf. I also baked this in the oven for about an hour and 20 minutes on 350.  Mr. Bear gave this meatloaf a 4/5 stars. I gave it a 3/5. I will use this meatloaf recipe from now on, but not always the sauce. Next time I make the sauce I will cut back a table spoon of mustard. This meatloaf sliced very nicely and cooked well. I used 90/10 lean ground beef. I will make this again, with or without the sauce. I think the sauce would go well with chicken breast too.

February 02, 2010

What I am reading: A Time to Embrace


I picked this book up at the library, they were selling it for a buck. A friend of mine enjoys these books and recommends them. I think a dollar is a good way to see if I like the series. Does anyone else enjoy Karen Kingsbury?

This is what the back of the book says:

After twenty-one years, John and Abby Reynolds are back together and feeling like newlyweds. Together they are convinced they can handle the issues of their past, the questions from their children, and even the high-school politics that drain the joy from John’s coaching career. But then tragedy strikes.

An accident tears at the hearts of their family and the depth of their existence. Fumbling for forgiveness and hoping for a miracle, John and Abby must remember what is important and cling to that above all else.

Together, they’re determined to move on with their lives. But is “together” enough for a future they never expected?

February Goals



Here are my goals for February. January was just a rough month for me for some reason, I had absolutely NO motivation.

  • Again, Sleep better.
  • Menu Plan
  • Clean out the kiddo's room (I really need to get this done so I can start organizing things for him. Come fall he'll be an official student.)
  • Keep an eye on clothes for the school year coming up.
  • Do more studying for myself.
  • Organize our freezer.
  • Check out the local church.
  • Get out of this funk I am in.