REVIEW for week 5 menu

Menu for Week 5:

*Weekly menus plan for one meal out and one night of leftovers.

·        Cheesy Jalapeno Chicken Rice Casserole

o   http://www.culinary.net/recipes/RecipeDetail.aspx?ID=3386&CourseName=One+Dish+Meals&CourseID=21

REVIEW:  I made this on the weekend and ended up being the only one for the night to eat it (I forget why my husband didn't, but he had something else to eat).  I commented to my husband that I didn't like it since it was a little more eggy than most casseroles.  However, when we ate it as leftovers for lunch and one night, it was better.  It is more like a quiche (set egg dish) rather than a creamy casserole.

DID WE LIKE IT?  It was okay.  WILL I MAKE IT AGAIN?  Probably not

CHANGES:  I made it more santa fe flavors with a bell pepper since my cilantro had gone bad before I made the dish.

·        Loaded Potato Buffalo Chicken Bake

o   http://cooklisacook.blogspot.ca/2012/03/loaded-potato-buffalo-chicken-casserole.html

REVIEW:  We really like this dish!  I actually made it for a friend who had just had a baby and doubled it so that we could have it for diner too!  It is a different dish that is worth the few extra sets of checking on the potatoes rather than just being a dump and cook dish.  Following the directions really gives it great flavor and makes the potatoes crispy.

DID WE LIKE IT?  YES!!  WOULD I MAKE IT AGAIN??  YES!!!

·        Crockpot BBQ Ribs and Cream Cheese Corn Skillet Side Dish

o   http://teamhess.blogspot.com/2011/07/recipe-barbecue-ribs-in-crock-pot.html

o   http://www.budgetsavvydiva.com/2012/03/delicious-cream-cheese-corn/

REVIEW:  These ribs were easy but I didn't think they were fabulous.  I think I would find a different rib recipe to try next time.  We didn't make the corn dish.

DID WE LIKE IT?  Yes, these were good ribs.  WOULD I MAKE IT AGAIN?  Probably not.  I will probably find a different recipe to try.

·        CHEAP AND EASY:  Baked Manicotti with Garlic Bread

o   http://allrecipes.com/recipe/manicotti/detail.aspx

REVIEW:  I love this recipe!  I actually did stuffed shells since that's what I had in the pantry.  I made these one night once my daughter had gone to bed.  I followed the same recipe, making a full box of noodles.  I filled the noodles, placed them facing up on an oiled baking sheet, and placed them in the freezer for a couple of hours.  I then placed the individual frozen shells in freezer bags.  We had 3 meals off of these, with leftovers each time!  So good!  AND EASY!!

DID WE LIKE IT?  YES!!  It makes a great freezer meal for any night you want home cooking but dont' want to hassle with it.

WILL I MAKE IT AGAIN?  YES!!!  So great!

·        Drunken Pork Chops and Crockpot Baked Potatoes

o   http://siggyspice.blogspot.com/2010/03/drunken-pork-chops-absolutely.html

o   http://realmomkitchen.com/7995/crock-pot-baked-potatoes/

REVIEW:  I made these pork chops for a group of my friends one night.  They were very tough and dry, something I feel like aways happens.  The sauce had a great taste, but the cook time was just too long.

DID WE LIKE IT?  Yes, they were okay.  I think I would have to change the cook time to try to get them from getting tough.

WOULD I MAKE IT AGAIN?  Maybe.

·        DESSERT: Banana Toffee Pie

o   http://inspire-keri.blogspot.com/2011/06/recipe-tuesday-banoffee-danger-pie.html

REVIEW:  After making the peanut butter pie, this pie was a let down.  I used a jar of caramel rather than the homemade caramel.  I think that following the recipe caramel might have made it a little better.

DID WE LIKE IT?  It was okay.  WOULD I MAKE IT AGAIN?  Probably not.

**I know that this week's menu sounds like a flop.  I would have to disagree since I made a variety of meals.  Don't take my word for some of these recipes.  Try them out yourself and see what you think.  Leave comments on the week's menu/review of your thoughts if you made a recipe.  THANKS!

Menu for Week 5

Menu for Week 5:

*Weekly menus plan for one meal out and one night of leftovers.

·        Cheesy Jalapeno Chicken Rice Casserole

o   http://www.culinary.net/recipes/RecipeDetail.aspx?ID=3386&CourseName=One+Dish+Meals&CourseID=21

·        Loaded Potato Buffalo Chicken Bake

o   http://cooklisacook.blogspot.ca/2012/03/loaded-potato-buffalo-chicken-casserole.html

·        Crockpot BBQ Ribs and Cream Cheese Corn Skillet Side Dish

o   http://teamhess.blogspot.com/2011/07/recipe-barbecue-ribs-in-crock-pot.html

o   http://www.budgetsavvydiva.com/2012/03/delicious-cream-cheese-corn/

·        CHEAP AND EASY:  Baked Manicotti with Garlic Bread

o   http://allrecipes.com/recipe/manicotti/detail.aspx

·        Drunken Pork Chops and Crockpot Baked Potatoes

o   http://siggyspice.blogspot.com/2010/03/drunken-pork-chops-absolutely.html

o   http://realmomkitchen.com/7995/crock-pot-baked-potatoes/

·        DESSERT: Banana Toffee Pie

o   http://inspire-keri.blogspot.com/2011/06/recipe-tuesday-banoffee-danger-pie.html

Shopping List:

*Print this off and check off the items that you already have in your pantry.  Then either take this list or create a simpler one to the grocery to shop for the week of dinners.

Basic Pantry/Kitchen Items:

·         Olive oil

·         Garlic Powder

·         Paprika

·         Worcestershire

·         Butter

·         Grated parmesan cheese

·              Brown Sugar

·         Eggs (4)

·               Salt

·               Pepper

·              Hot Sauce (Frank’s)

·              BBQ Sauce

·              Red Pepper Flakes

·              Dried Parsley

·              Ketchup

·              Vanilla

·              1 bottle of beer (dark-ish if possible—not Guinness dark)

Baking/Seasonings:

·         Cooking Sherry

·         Graham Cracker Pie Crust (or graham crackers to make your own)

·         Piece of Chocolate (to shave on top of banana pie)  or Heath (to crumble)

·         12 oz can of Carnation Evaporated Milk

·         1 can of Sweet Condensed Milk

Dairy/Refrigerator Items:

·     Shredded Mexican Blend Cheese (Cheddar and Mont Jack blend)—or make your own

·     Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese

·         Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

·         Cream Cheese

Pasta/Rice/Bean Items:

·         Rice

·         Manicotti Noodles

Can/Dry Good Items:

·         1 jar of spaghetti sauce

Meat:  (plan on purchasing at least one serving of meat for each member of your family unless noted for multiple meals)

·         Chicken Breasts  (used in 2 meals)

·         3 lbs Ribs (pork or beef)

·         Bacon

·         Pork chops

Produce Items:

·         Cilantro

·         Jalapenos

·         Potatoes (8-10 med size)—I like red, new, or gold

·         Potatoes (1 per person)—for baking, like russet or Idaho

·         Green onion

·         Bananas

·         Corn (or frozen)

Bread:

·    garlic bread (either freshly baked, frozen, or other)

Week 4 Menu

Menu for Week 4:

*Weekly menus plan for one meal out and one night of leftovers.

·         Pad Thai

o   http://allrecipes.com/recipe/a-pad-thai-worth-making/detail.aspx  

·         Crockpot Italian Chicken with Garlic Parmesan Pull-Apart Bread

o   http://www.crockadoodledo.blogspot.com/2012/04/italian-chicken.html

o   http://amandathevirtuouswife.blogspot.com/2012/03/garlic-parmesan-pull-apart-bread.html 

·         Chicken Fajitas

·         CHEAP AND EASY:  Tuna Melts and Kraft Mac and Cheese

·         Macaroni and Beef and Cheese 

o   http://ruhlman.com/2010/05/macaroni-and-beef-with-cheese-%E2%80%94-childhood-love/

·         Dessert: Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Crust Pie

o   http://www.restlesschipotle.com/2012/03/peanut-butter-pie-with-pretzel-crust/

Shopping List:

*Print this off and check off the items that you already have in your pantry.  Then either take this list or create a simpler one to the grocery to shop for the week of dinners.

Basic Pantry/Kitchen Items:

·         Olive oil

·         Garlic

·         Vegetable oil

·         Chicken stock

·         Butter

·         Grated parmesan cheese

·              Sugar

·         Eggs

·               Salt

·               Milk

Baking/Seasonings:

·         Carmel Topping

·         Peanut Butter

·         Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

·         Fajita Seasoning Packet

Dairy/Refrigerator Items:

·         Heavy Cream (large container)

·         Shredded Cheddar Cheese

·         Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

·         Slices of American Cheese

·         Sour Cream

·         Grands Biscuits (not flaky)

Pasta/Rice/Bean Items:

·         Elbow Noodles

·         8 oz Dried Flat Rice Noodles

Can/Dry Good Items:

·         Unsalted Dry-roasted Peanuts

·         28oz of Canned Tomatoes

·         Italian Dressing

·         Fish Sauce

·         Oyster Sauce

·         Asian Chili Pepper Sauce

·         Soy Sauce

·         Italian Seasonings

·         Kraft Mac and Cheese

·         2 Cans of Tuna

·         Pickles

·         Bag of Pretzels

Meat:  (plan on purchasing at least one serving of meat for each member of your family unless noted for multiple meals)

·         Shrimp

·         Chicken Breasts  (used in 3 meals)

·         2 lbs Lean Ground Beef

Produce Items:

·         Limes

·         Bean Sprouts

·         Green Onions

·         Onions

·         Cilantro

·         Potatoes

·         Mini Carrots

·         Bell Peppers

Bread:

·     Tortillas

·         Sliced Bread

Dinner:  Pad Thai

o   http://allrecipes.com/recipe/a-pad-thai-worth-making/detail.aspx

Dinner:  CHEAP AND EASY:  Kraft Mac and Cheese with Tuna Melts

·         I mix 2 drained cans of tuna with chopped pickles, onion, and miracle whip and put it in the center of a typical grilled cheese sandwich.  Always easy and so good!

Dinner:  Crockpot Italian Chicken with Garlic Parmesan Pull-Apart Bread

o   http://www.crockadoodledo.blogspot.com/2012/04/italian-chicken.html

o   http://amandathevirtuouswife.blogspot.com/2012/03/garlic-parmesan-pull-apart-bread.html 

Dinner:  Chicken Fajitas

·         Cut up chicken breasts and cook in a large skillet or wok with fajita seasonings and a little bit of oil.  When almost cooked, add slices onion and bell peppers to the skillet.  Cook until the chicken is cooked through and the veggies are slightly soft.

·         Serve with tortillas, sour cream, and shredded cheddar cheese. (salsa optional)

Dinner:  Beefy Cheesy Macaroni

o   http://ruhlman.com/2010/05/macaroni-and-beef-with-cheese-%E2%80%94-childhood-love/

Dessert:  Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Crust Pie

o   http://www.restlesschipotle.com/2012/03/peanut-butter-pie-with-pretzel-crust/