Menu Plan and Menu Plan Printables

Happy belated Independence Day!!
Honestly, it just never quite felt like the 4th of July to me. 
In my head it shouldn’t be July yet so how can it be July 4th, right?
I know I am weird and I’m ok with it.
On a positive note, since it IS July, my Birthday is next weekend. yeah!
I can deal with that. I made it another year!

I have been horrible about making a menu plan lately. Summer just kills my desire to cook or plan. There is no consistent routine in the Summer and things I do plan sometimes don’t work out.


That is why I thought this Summer Menu from Cleanmama was absolutely genius. It’s repetitive each week, but not as repetitive as say “Taco Tuesday” and “Spaghetti Sunday”, etc. I just can’t repeat that often, it would drive me nuts and I think my family might revolt.

I found this last night so I plan on working on my own version of the Summer Menu this week, but for this week I do have a regular old plan.

Monday~ We had slider party for the 4th

Tuesday~ Grilled Chicken with Black Bean and Corn Salad and parmesan noodles

Wednesday~ Slow cooker pork chops, Brown rice and Salad

Thursday~ Kelly’s overnight chicken, mashed potatoes and green beans

Friday~ Salmon Patties, Macaroni and cheese and Peas

Saturday~ Chicken lime tacos, saffron rice and black beans

Sunday~ Leftovers for lunch, BLT’s for dinner

I have been fairly boring about my menu plan lately and I just write it out in my little notebook and post it here, but it could be so much cuter. There are so many cute menu/shopping printables out there in blogland. Here are just a few you could use.


The Sister Café


The Idea Room



Tip Junkie

Organized Home



This is a whole menu system from BHG that uses labels printed on magnetic paper. So organized.

How about you, is it harder for you to keep a plan in the summer? Easier? I would love to know I am not alone.

Not your average Chicken Panini {and my menu}

Why does Monday have to come so quickly?
Are your taxes done?
Me too….2 days ahead of time.
That’s early for me.
I’m a bit of a procrastinator.
I need a deadline.
There is always something better to do than taxes, right?

Enough about my issues and onto what I shall feed my fam this week.

Monday~ Grilled chicken and zucchini kabobs with a thai sauce, jasmine rice and grilled pineapple……….and it was super yum :)

Tuesday~ Ham and cheese au-gratin, salad and mandarin oranges {didn’t ever have this last week..it happens}

Wednesday~ Taco salad at church {I think}

Thursday~ Boneless Buffalo Wings {on the recommendation of my friend Shannon} and salad

Friday~ Skillet enchiladas {made by my hubby}, chips and salad

Saturday~ BBQ ribs, scallop potatoes, green beans

Sunday~ Homemade Cinnamon rolls for breakfast, easy sandwiches for lunch and Easter dinner with my family.

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I’ve been wanting to share this sandwich with you that we have enjoyed a couple times. I thought you might want to try it next time you have some leftover chicken.

The first time we had these Panini's I used some leftover baked chicken and they were super good. The second time {what is shown in the pics} I used some rotisserie chicken. It was still good, but I really enjoyed the taste of the baked chicken better. I also think grilled chicken would work great. I probably wouldn’t use rotisserie chicken again. just sayin’.

Not your average chicken panini:

Italian or sourdough bread sliced thin
Olive oil
Thousand island dressing
Leftover chicken, chopped up
Coleslaw {creamy, spicy…whatever floats your boat}
Havarti cheese slices {Swiss would work too}

I like to get them all put together before I start the cooking. Lay out the bottom piece of bread for each sandwich and drizzle with olive oil. I spread it around good with my fingers {no better tool created}. Turn each piece over once it’s coated with oil.

On the other side of the bread slices, place some Thousand Island dressing and spread it around good.

Top with your chicken

Next comes a good amount of coleslaw

Finally I top it off with some Havarti cheese slices.

I like this kind, but it can be hard to find sometimes so Swiss cheese will work if that is what you can find.

Top with your final piece of bread and drizzle it with olive oil too. Spread it around really well so it’s all coated.

I like to use my griddle that fits on the stove top. You could also use a cast iron skillet or an electric griddle. Use what you have. It will all taste good in the end.

I use medium heat so the sandwiches don’t cook too fast without heating all the way through. It will take about 4-5 minutes per side.

Once I get them on the griddle, they have to be weighed down. Don’t laugh at my ways. I use what I’ve got and it works for me. I don’t need no fancy smancy panini press.

Look at those grill marks baby {and NO panini press}.

You should really try these. They are delicious!

How about you, do you have any favorite sandwich combos?

this post is linked to: Tasty Tuesday, Tempt my tummy Tuesday    

Got dirt? and menu plan for week of 4.11.11

Hello friends!
Did you have a good weekend?
We did! It was hot and steamy here, but good.
Oh, and it was too short.

Our neighbor recently excavated a bunch {a Big bunch} of dirt and grass in his backyard so he can put in a patio. We were in need of dirt to level out our yard so all the rain doesn’t pool in spots and take for–ev-er to dry out. A match made in backyard heaven.

They had dirt.
We needed dirt.

We got dirt.
A big ol' pile in the middle of our backyard.
After a couple hours of good hard labor {by the men of course},
I made my contribution and went to pick up pizza.
Everyone is happy. Our neighbor doesn’t have to haul off quite as much dirt. We got dirt we needed and everyone left with a full belly full of pizza. Happy indeed.
Now I just hope we can get it all spread out before it rains. 

On to more important things….what will I feed my family this week?

Monday~  Pizza on the grill {bbq chicken…yum}

Tuesday~ Mediterranean Chicken with salad and fruit

Wednesday~ Chicken spaghetti at church

Thursday~ Sweet sliders, fruit and cheesy corn

Friday~ Marinated grilled chicken, parmesan noodles and veggies

Saturday~ Ham and cheese au gratin, salad and mandarin oranges     

Sunday~ out for lunch and leftovers for dinner

What’s on your menu this week?

Menu plan week of 3.28.11

Wow, is it really Monday again? I did not have my act together last week so I had no menu and our disorganized dinner time showed it…oops. I think we ate out more than twice. ouch to the budget.

Well, I {at least partly} have my act together this week. Yeah. A menu!

Monday~ Chicken tortilla soup   

Tuesday~ Teriyaki Chicken with brown rice and broccoli

Wednesday~ Meatball sandwiches at Church

Thursday~Asian wraps with creamy peanut sauce    

Friday~ Cook out Burgers for my Mother in-law’s b-day {her request}

Saturday~Spaghetti and meatballs with salad and garlic bread

Sunday~ Youth group fundraiser dinner after church {super yum!}

oh, and I am so making this Snickerdoodle cake. Can you say yummorific? I can, and that is just what it looks like.  I think I will make it for church Wednesday night so I don’t eat the whole thing by myself, in one sitting. {I am so very wise} 

What are you all making this week?

And can I just say this whole snow in the springtime deal is not one of my favorite things. amen.

Menu plan week of 3.14.11

Hello there Monday morning!
You came an hour too soon according to my internal clock.
I’m happy for the extra hour of daylight in the evening,
but not so much that I had to loose it in the form of sleep. ick.

Did you all have a good weekend?
We did for the most part. Quiet, but good.

Today is the first official day of our spring break.
Too bad the forecast looks like this


We are in the middle there, by the peacock .
Neat.
I shouldn’t complain too much, friends of ours farther north got about 12”.
Hello Spring……where are you?
I know it will melt off quickly, but seriously…..the first day of spring break?
My teenage daughter thinks shopping will help cure the blues.

*************

Well, I am keeping it pretty easy this week as far as a menu goes. Britt won’t be here too much and I am hoping to get a few things done around here housewise so not much extra cooking time.

Here is what I have planned for the week:

Monday: Jerk Pork chops with carribean rice {didn’t have this last week}

Tuesday: Cheeseburger casserole, salad, cheddar biscuits

Wednesday: Spaghetti casserole at church {I am cooking for about 70}

Thursday: Reuben sandwiches

Friday: Teriyaki Chicken, brown rice and sugar snap peas

Saturday: Not sure on this one yet, whatever Corban chooses for his birthday dinner.

Sunday: Hashbrown and egg breakfast skillets with fruit


What do you have planned for your menu this week?

Menu plan week of 3.7.11

I need some new recipes.
I feel like I make the same 15 things over and over.
To me, that’s boring.
I realize others might find comfort in that, but not me.
I like to try new recipes.
I really like to read cookbooks.
You might remember this post where I professed my love  obsession with cookbooks. Based on the comments, it sounded as if I was not alone.

Not too long ago I purged over half of those cookbooks, keeping only my favorites. It seems silly to keep books that I only use for 1 to 3 recipes. We just don’t have that much extra space around here so I got rid of them.
Instead, I like to go to the library and check out the ones that look interesting. Here are a few I have right now.

The top two are mine, but the rest are borrowed.
At first glance, I didn’t think I would find much in the Robin Rescues Dinner, but I sat down last night and found quite a few to try. There are tons of good old recipes in the Trisha Yearwood cookbook. I got too tired last night to make it through the Don’t Panic one, but I love the first one so I’m sure there will be good stuff in there.

I’ve added a couple of new recipes to our menu this week. I’ll let you know if they were tasty or not.

Monday~ Chipotle BBQ chicken with macaroni and cheese and broccoli salad   

Tuesday~ Spaghetti with salad and garlic bread

Wednesday~ Indonesian dinner at church

Thursday~ Jerk pork chops with Caribbean rice {new}

Friday~ Plum marinated chicken with roasted carrots and baked potatoes with chipotle butter {new}

Saturday~ Potato soup, Peasant bread and salad

Sunday~ Chicken and Swiss Panini {new}

I am really looking forward to trying some new recipes.

So, do you like to switch it up with new things or does your family like to stick with the old tried and true recipes?

Menu plan ~ Week of 2.28.11

Hello there Monday!
Can you believe it’s almost March?

February is always such a blur. I know it’s the shortest month, but really can that extra day or two missing really make it seem that much shorter? perhaps it does or maybe it’s all in my head.

Ever since the start of the new year I keep telling myself that I am going to get back in the habit of posting my weekly menu. I have a few people who ask me about this regularly and I generally try to make a joke and change the subject. Not very helpful of me, now is it? These people aren’t asking because they want to know what we are eating, but because they need help and inspiration in making their own menu. {I totally get that} Since I want this blog to be helpful and inspiring and continuing to share my weekly menu is such a simple thing to do, I am going to do my very best to post it weekly.  Here is what we are having this week:

Monday: Lasagna roll-ups,  salad & garlic bread

Tuesday: Chipotle BBQ chicken with homemade macaroni and cheese & peas

Wednesday: BBQ meatballs, Hashbrown casserole, green beans & rolls {at Church}

Thursday: Orange chicken stir fry with rice noodles & egg rolls

Friday: Oven baked chicken chimichangas & mexican rice 

Saturday: Chicken Spaghetti, salad and fruit

Sunday: leftovers for lunch and hashbrown and egg skillets for dinner


I also want to make some chocolate cupcakes and try out this frosting recipe. Everyone says it’s yummy, but I’ve never tried it so I’ll let ya know how it is. It sure looks tasty.

What is on your menu this week? Have you tried any new recipes lately? Were they good?


this post is linked to orgjunkie 

Menu plan week of 11-15-2010

Morning friends! I hope everyone had a lovely weekend.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately on my less than enthusiastic attitude about meal planning and cooking dinner lately. What to do, what to do?

Have any of you ever tried the once a month cooking technique? Also referred to as freezer cooking. I have 3 cookbooks with all freezer recipes {because I’m slightly obsessive} so I thought I might give it a try.

Now I need to come up with an entire day to dedicate to cooking. 

It’s better than every night…….right?

My kitchen isn’t very big so the idea of trying to cook everything on one day seems a bit much, but I’m willing to give it a try. And what better time to try than the holidays. Time always seems so fleeting this time of year so knocking a big thing like making dinner every night off the list is quite appealing.

All that said, I was SO very excited when I opened my email this morning to find today’s Groupon. It’s for Social Suppers, a place where you go and make up meals to take home and freeze for later. I’ve always wanted to try this, but it seemed a bit too pricey for me.

However, with today’s Groupon {in Kansas City anyway, check your city for your local deal of the day} it is only $35 for $70 worth of meals. Yeah! half off….sign me up! They have locations in Leavenworth, Lenexa and Prairie village so go check it out. You only have today to sign up, but the coupon is good until May so you have plenty of time to use it. Anybody want to go make your meals with me? I’ll be going to the Lenexa location….very soon.

***Update: Apparently, the Social Suppers deal is already sold out, I hope you got one if you wanted it.

Since I obviously won’t have all my freezer meals ready today and I still need to feed my family this week, here is what I plan on making:

Monday:  Ranch Style Chicken with roasted potatoes and green beans

Tuesday: Spaghetti and meatballs, salad and garlic bread

Wednesday: BIG Thanksgiving dinner at church….yum!

Thursday: Chicken and wild rice soup  

Friday: Tacos, refried black beans and mexican rice 

Saturday: BBQ meatballs, mashed potatoes and corn  

Sunday: Terriyaki chicken {in the slow cooker}, brown rice and sugar snap peas

What are you going to cook up this week?

Do any of you do freezer cooking?

This post is linked to orgjunkie  

Menu plan week of 11-1-2010

    
I always feel like the first day of November really kicks off the holiday season. I know it’s not official or anything, but I already feel the pressure of the holidays beginning. I don’t care for that feeling.

Mostly because I currently feel like everything around here is very chaotic. Doing homeschool has left me with very little time to do some of the things that need to be done around here. I just haven’t found a rhythm yet and it shows. It feels very difficult to get everything accomplished.  

Simply going grocery shopping seems like a challenge. I used to always make out my menu and go shopping while Josiah was at preschool on Monday morning, but that doesn’t really work any more. We try to complete as much schoolwork while Josiah is at school as we can {for obvious reasons} so we can’t go shopping. This is messin’ me all up and our meals are suffering.

Not that we don’t eat….obviously, we do. It’s just not as organized as it once was and it is driving me batty. So, here I am trying to get organized and the best way for me to do that is to post my menu.  Without it my family might not eat. 

Monday~ Chicken, swiss and stuffing casserole, corn and salad

Tuesday~Meatball sandwiches and salad

Wednesday~ Dinner at church – I’ll be taking the Great Pumpkin Dessert {recipe coming tomorrow} and a one pan fudge cake 

Thursday~ Chicken stroganoff , green beans and fruit

Friday~ Going to a youth group event {looking forward to this}

Saturday~ Pizza

Sunday~ Cranberry pork roast, homemade applesauce and salad


Does anyone else feel completely chaotic and stressed at the mere thought of the holidays looming around the corner?

If you homeschool, how on earth do you get it all done {and maintain your sanity}?

Menu plan week of 9/6/2010

First off I just wanted to say thanks so much for all the love you’ve show for the toilet paper pumpkins….you all are amazing!

Onto my menu struggles

Oh, I have struggled…..really struggled to do a menu plan lately.

I have tried, but it just hasn’t happened.

This has consequences around here. When I don’t make a menu, I don’t feel like going shopping because I don’t have a list and I don’t want to buy random stuff. When I don’t go shopping, well…..you can probably guess that there isn’t much food to choose from and that makes cooking even more difficult. 

A vicious little cycle indeed. It’s driving me crazy.

I’ve decided I just need to pull up my mommy panties and make a menu, even if I don’t feel like it {and in case you were wondering, I don’t feel like it}. Our week goes soooo much smoother when I do, so I will.

So here it is, in all it’s forced glory:


Monday: Marinated grilled chicken, grilled corn on the cob and rice pilaf

Tuesday: Ham and cheese au gratin and salad

Wednesday: dinner at church, I’ll be taking my {lighter} version of PW’s cinnamon rolls for dessert. 

Thursday: Slow cooker pulled pork sandwiches, broccoli slaw salad and corn casserole

 Friday: Pizza on the grill and salad

 Saturday: Southwest brown rice and black bean burgers with guacamole and tomatoes

Sunday: Leftovers for lunch and Chili chicken and pasta with garden tomatoes for dinner

Do you ladies ever have times when you are completely uninspired in the kitchen? Is it just me?  oh, I really hope not.

for more menu inspiration go check out orgjunkie

Summer on a plate {Chili chicken and pasta}

This meal is so simple to make and only has a few ingredients, but fair warning….the stuff is addictive. 

We only have this meal in the summer when you can get fresh corn on the cob, garden tomatoes, and fresh limes. The fresh {local} ingredients are very important since there are so few ingredients in the dish.

Chili chicken and pasta

4 boneless skinless chicken breast
4-5 ears of fresh corn cut from the cob
10oz angel hair pasta
2 limes
chili powder
salt & pepper canola oil
fresh tomatoes

I like to cut my chicken in smaller pieces and pound them out so they are the same thickness all over. Sprinkle each piece of chicken with chili powder, salt and pepper to taste.

Heat 1 Tbsp canola oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken to skillet in one layer and cook on each side until browned and cooked through. 

In a large pot of water, add the angel hair pasta and cook for 5 minutes and then add the corn to the boiling water. Cook for 2 more minutes and then strain the pasta and corn. Return to pot. 

While pasta is cooking, make your dressing. In a screw top jar, mix together 3 Tbsp canola oil, 1/2 tsp chili powder {I also add a sprinkle of chipotle chili powder} and 3 Tbsp fresh lime juice.  

Pour dressing over the pasta and corn mixture. Serve with the chicken, tomato slices and lime wedges.

I hope you enjoy this taste of summer as much as we do.

This post is linked up to Mouthwatering Mondays, Tempt my tummy Tuesday, Tuesday at the table & Tasty Tuesday.

Back to reality……menu week of 7/26/10

The laundry mountain is high

The fridge is nearly bare

The yard is in desperate need of mowing and some tree limbs are down due to storms while we were gone

School registration is tomorrow {uugh!}

Being in the mountains with my family seems so much more appealing

even when they are being completely dorky……….yep, these are the people I love most. 

Well, since I’m back home in realityville, I guess I should feed my family so here is my dinner menu for the week:

Monday: Grilled marinated chicken, rice and grilled zucchini

Tuesday: Mediterranean chicken, couscous and salad

Wednesday: Tacos

Thursday: Pesto pasta with grilled chicken and salad

Friday: Pizza on the grill

Saturday: Chili chicken & pasta with a salad 

Sunday: Italian beef sandwiches, fruit and broccoli

Tacos and pizza all in the same week…..my hubby will be pleased.

What do you have cookin’ this week??

check out orgjunkie for more great menu ideas

Menu plan week of 6/14/10

I totally cheated on the making dinner thing tonight. I went and got pizza.

Lame

All because I didn’t have my menu plan ready for the week.

So in an attempt to get my act together for the rest of the week, here is my plan:

Monday: pizza and fruit

Tuesday: Mexican Pork bowls {I’m going to try this with chicken} with cilantro lime rice and some of this salsa

Wednesday: Grilled spicy honey chicken, grilled corn on the cob and salad

Thursday: Skillet lasagna, salad and peasant bread

Friday: Chipotle BBQ Chicken, macaroni and cheese, peas

Saturday: BLT sandwiches before we head to the baseball game

Sunday: Lunch out and dinner at my parents house for FATHER’S day!!

So what do you have planned this week?

How do you avoid resorting to pizza every night?

Menu Plan Week of 6/7/10

Are we already starting our 3rd week of summer break? I really want to make up a list of things we want to do {like this}so I guess I better get on it, huh? Britt's been gone sailing around the world with my mom and now she is gone to church camp for the week so hopefully we can do it this weekend. Does anyone else make a list to keep you on track?

Here is what I'm planning on cooking up this week for dinner:

Monday: Salmon Patties with macaroni and cheese and peas {we didn't end up having this last week}

Tuesday: Mediterranean chicken with couscous and salad from our garden

Wednesday: Tacos with black beans

Thursday: Pulled pork sandwiches with coleslaw and baked beans

Friday:  Grilled chicken sandwiches with apricot sauce with sweet potato fries

Saturday: Terriyaki chicken with brown rice and sugar snap peas {I'm going to try this in the crockpot and see how it turns out}

Sunday: Lunch- Pancakes * Dinner- Leftovers

What are you cooking this week?

check out more great menus at orgjunkie