Scalloped Tomatoes

Ok, so that doesn't exactly sound quite as good as it *looks.* I watched the Barefoot Contessa yesterday and she prepared the most yummy looking scalloped tomatoes that I just HAVE to try them. I plan to make them for dinner tonight, most likely paired with a Quiche Lorraine (unless I grow too lazy by the time dinner prep arrives, in which case we will have a simple cheesy/mushroom/bacon omelet) for an unexpected breakfast-but-hearty-enough-for-dinner combination.

Remember me...??? Week 14: Tall Mommy's *kind of* Menu Plan

Yes, I'm back. Yes, I realize it's been *ahem* several weeks; and, yes, my goal of meal planning for my family has fallen, well, shall we say, somewhat short in recent weeks (err...months??). But, here I am. Not exactly rearing to go, but here nonetheless.

I FINALLY started receiving Cooking Light again (I re-subscribed 6 months ago! And my first issue just came! The nerve!! If it weren't a magazine I think I'd die without I'd tell them just where to shove that subscription. Hint, it would be somewhere the sun don't shine!).

Anyway, with Cooking Light came new inspiration and desire to cook.

I'm not sure the order of my menu for the week, but here is what I have planned:

Monday: tonight we had Kifta (sp??) from my mother-in-law. It is an Arabic meal that is super tasty, and pretty easy I think. It's basically just grilled small beef patties mixed with finely chopped parsley and onion. Yummy! I made a simple arugula salad and served with fresh fruit on the side.

Other nights this week: Whole wheat linguine with slightly charred heirloom cherry tomatoes, red pepper flakes, and goat cheese; eggplant bake; cracked wheat salad with nectarines, parsley, and pistachio (here); spring risotto; arugula salad with prosciutto wrapped melon and goat cheese in a light citrus vinaigrette; fresh fruit salad.

I realize there is very little meat in this menu...and for that reason I will probably throw in a Sloppy Joe night. I also figure I will be eating many of these solo or splitting it with the baby while Jacob (my resident carnivore) makes a mad dash for the nearest Micky D's. But hey, my kitchen, my cooking, my menus, my rules, right! (right?)...

Week #14 Small Mommy's Meal Plan

And...I'm back. Last week kind of got away from me.

Monday: Fish tacos-Alex went fishing with a friend and caught a bunch of mackeral that we need to use up. Serve with shredded cabbage, lime, herdez salsa (canned, because it's the best) and spanish rice for me.

Tuesday: $5 pizzas. Josh has a dentist appointment at 4pm so no home cooking.

Wednesday: Mexican stuffed Shells-Something new to try. I've had a box of pasta shells in the pantry forever and figured I'd finally use them. I think Christopher might actually eat these. I'm going to tweak this recipe.

Thursday: Spaghetti and meatballs with garlic bread. Christopher has a school play at 6pm, so keep it simple.

Friday: Asian Orange Chicken. With rice and stir fry veggies.

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

For a pot full of sinfully cheesy soup (hey, guilt free...it's healthy...I said broccoli, right??!):

Ingredients
-16 oz broccoli flowers
-2 can Campbell's cream of chicken soup
-1 can Campbell's cheddar cheese mix soup
-2 cups shredded cheese, Jack and Cheddar mix
-1 cup shredded parma-reggiano cheese
-2 cups milk
-8 slices crispy bacon
-1/3 yellow onion thinly sliced
-1 tbsp minced garlic
-1 tbsp olive oil-pepper to taste

Heat skillet over medium-high heat-coat pan with olive oil and place onion and garlic. Saute until onion is soft and translucent. Add cream of chicken (according to directions: add 1 can water for each can soup) and stir until evenly incorporated. Add broccoli and bring to a boil-cook about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, add pepper then reduce heat to medium, add canned cheese and milk and cook another 5 (at about a simmer), still stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Take 1/3 of the mixture and place in blender (or processor) and pulse briefly. Add shredded cheese to remaining portion and mix until melted. Mix in the pulsed portion until fully incorporated. Add bacon and stir. Garnish with shredded cheese and half slice of bacon and serve.

Spicy Pickled Okra

Okay, I heart Cooking Light Magazine!!! I checked out a couple of issues from the library and found a bunch of delicious looking recipes I'd like to incorporate into my weekly meal planning.

Here is one that everyone in the family is excited about. Spicy Pickled Okra. Yum.

1 1/2 pounds okra
4 garlic cloves
4 dill sprigs
2 cups cider vinegar
1 3/4 cups water
3 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons salt
1 1/2 tablespoons mustard seeds
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper

1. Divide okra, garlic and dill evenly among 4 (1 pint) jars.

2. Combine vinegar and remaining ingredients in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Cook 1 minute or until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat; let stand 5 minutes. Carefully pour vinegar mixture into jars, leaving about 1/4 inch at top. Seal jars; refrigerate for 3 days before serving.

Yield: about 4 cups (serving size: 1/3 cup)

Week#12 Small Mommy's Meal Plan

Better late than never...

Monday-Raviolis (frozen) and Alex's brussel sprout recipe. Cook chopped onions in olive oil and a bit of butter. Add brussel sprouts (we use the frozen bag, defrosted) and saute until cooked through and slightly charred. Sprinkle with parmesan. Yum!

Tuesday-pot roast, cornbread and corn

Wednesday-soft tacos

Thursday-chili cheese dogs, fruit and chips

Friday-some kind of pasta, don't know what yet. Spaghetti, tuna noodle casserole, chicken spaghetti, one of these.

Other snacks-strawberries, crackers, oranges, popcorn

Week #11 Small Mommy's Meal Plan

I get so bored of making dinner sometimes. So I'm really trying to mix it up this week.

Monday: Fish tacos-Tilapia is on sale this week. I grill it with some lime, chili powder, cumin and olive oil. Stuff it in a corn tortilla with shredded cabbage and top with salsa. Voila. I like to serve it with spanish rice, but I'm the only one in my family who likes it.

Tuesday: Honey-lime roasted chicken-I thought I'd give this a try since I have the ingredients and it sounds different and yummy. I'm going to serve it with this rice pilaf.

Wednesday: Grilled eggplant and tomato sandwich with basil mayo-How good does that sound? You can find the recipe here. Of course Christopher and Nathan won't eat it, so they can have grilled cheese instead.

Thursday: Angel hair pasta with chicken and veggies- Recipe here.

Friday: Brinner-That is breakfast for dinner. Eggs, bacon or sausage, grits and biscuits.