Menu Plan Monday - 7/25/11

Menu Plan Monday - 7/25/11

Feeling a bit rusty at the menu-planning thing.  We've been back and forth visiting friends and family in Florida and then NJ for the past couple of weeks.  A little bit of grilling in between, but now alas, the propane has run out.  I'm hoping we can refill them today or tomorrow so I can get back out there--it's too hot to start the oven!

Monday - Eggplant Parmesan  I use marinara sauce for the gravy and oven fry the eggplant (about 15 minutes at 400 degrees).  I bought extra eggplant, so I thought I'd oven-fry extra and freeze for another time.

 Tuesday - Turkey tacos with Florida avocados

Wednesday - Grilled chicken with strawberry salad (hopefully!)

Thursday - Mini BBQ Meatball Subs, using the Pioneer Woman's BBQ Meatballs
with my meatballs (in the freezer)

Friday - Chicken and Spring Rolls

 

Looking for more menu ideas, please visit MPM at orgjunkie.com

Linguine with Avocado and Arugula Pesto on the Food Network

Linguine with Avocado and Arugula Pesto on the Food Network


Quick post...Made this recipe for dinner tonight and everyone (even the kids) liked it! Yeah for trying new recipes!

Happy Summer!

Just checking in.  I've decided to skip the menu-planning for a couple of weeks.  We're in Summer-mode here and as long as there is propane for the grill, that's about all the planning needed.  I hope to post a few recipes soon.   Happy Summer! 

Menu Plan Monday - 6/27/11

Menu Plan Monday - 6/27/11

This is the post-party, pooped-out edition.  The party this weekend for Miss D's birthday was a success, I believe.  It was hot, oh, so hot, but I don't know that the kids really noticed.  The Barbie cake turned out well, although not exactly as I had planned.  I ended up making two separate cakes (we didn't even cut into the second, oh well).  I decided that making the cake three tiers was just a bit too ambitious and feared an avalanche given the extreme heat and humidity of the day.  The two tiers worked out better anyway.  Here are a couple of pictures of the cakes:

The "Plan-B" cake

Anyway - back to the Menu Plan -

Monday - no cooking, going to a party, yeah!

Tuesday - Beef Tacos with fresh guacamole

Wednesday - Grilled chicken breasts

Thursday - Homemade Pizza - maybe on the grill?

Friday - Avocado Chicken Salad (with leftover grilled chicken)

For more menu ideas, please visit MPM  at orgjunkie.com

Menu Plan Monday - 6/20/11

Menu Plan Monday -

Family coming the end of the week and more high 90's predicted for the weather.  Trying to keep it simple for meals, since I'll be baking and preparing things for the party next weekend.  I'll try to post some more pictures and recipes for the party.  The cake, of course, is going to be the star.  The doll cake (you know the one?)  will be made of vanilla cake.  Underneath will be cakes with alternating layers of vanilla and chocolate cake (or at least that's the plan).  Vanilla buttercream and MMF covering each section of cake (in lilac and hot pink, of course).  And finally, Royal icing drop flowers to decorate the "dress".  Of course, saying all this only makes me a bit nervous that it could go horribly wrong.  I guess there is always Publix, huh?  At least this year I have learned to go back to my standard buttercream recipe.  Last year I tried to make a Swiss meringue buttercream.  Not a good idea.  Let's see Swiss meringue buttercream + 90 degree heat = broken buttercream mess and weeping Mommy.  BTW, I did learn how to fix it (quick chill in freezer and re-whip), but after breaking three times, I promised never again in summer.  Here's a picture from last year:

So, on with the menu for the week:

Sunday - chili-braised brisket, German potato salad (by request from Big Daddy), and watermelon

Monday - leftovers

Tuesday - Chicken (?) with sweet potato oven fries

Wednesday - Veggie chili with cheese-topped potatoes

Thurday - Grilled fish, mac and cheese, broccoli

Friday - not sure, family will be here

To look for more menu ideas, please visit MPM at orgjunkie.com

Candy Dots

Candy Dots

Miss D's birthday is getting closer and the RSVP's are coming in, so I wanted to share with you today's project.  A little something sweet for the table.  I am so in love with the new meringue powder I ordered (Americolor premium).  Who knew there would be such a difference in taste from the standard stuff I've been buying at the craft store?  This was a very quick and easy project.  I think it made a nice ombre color of hot pink to purple.  Please don't mind the uneven lines.  Next time I need to sit at the table rather than hover over sheet pans with children at my side :).    Anyway, for the Royal icing:

2 tsp. meringue powder

3+ Tbs. water

1 1/2 c. powdered sugar

gel paste color (2 colors)

Cut sheets of paper (2" x 11") and lay out on cookie sheets.  Add meringue powder, water and sugar in a bowl.  Using a mixer to blend for about five minutes, adding water to make smooth consistency.  Divide into two bowls. Add color(s) and transfer to two piping bags.  Start with one color, clip off tip of piping bag and begin piping dots.  After a few rows add a bit of the second color to the first piping bag.  Continue piping and adding more of the second color to the first color until all the icing is complete.  This will gradually blend the color to create that ombre look.

Menu Plan Monday - 6/13/11

Menu Plan Monday - 6/13/11

Another week of heat predicted here.  Still no rain.  My poor garden is starting to burn up.  I was able to pick a few snap peas last week and put them in the pasta, pesto and peas, but I'm not sure I will get any more if we don't get a bit of rain.  I started making the marshmallow fondant for Miss D's BD.  I tried both the double-boiler method and the microwave method for melting the marshmallows.  The microwave is clearly the faster method, but involves cleaning another bowl.  My solution was to use the 1/2 cup of shortening to "grease" the bowl for melting and then the remaining for the bowl and paddle of the mixer.  MUCH easier!  Why didn't I think of that the first time??  Anyway, now they are nicely tucked away in the fridge until I decorate the cake. 


Monday - Turkey Burgers, grilled potato wedges, broccoli

Tuesday- Baked Ziti, salad, French bread

Wednesday - Grilled Honey BBQ Chicken

Thursday - Pierogi (frozen) with sauteed onions

Friday - Spaghetti  and Meatballs

For more menu ideas, please visit MPM at orgjunkie.com